# Is is-interactive ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> is-interactive@2.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 2.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 1.0.0.

Check if stdout or stderr is interactive

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against is-interactive@2.0.0.

is-interactive dropped its CommonJS build in 2.0.0 (May 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 1.0.0, published Jul 21, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("is-interactive") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("is-interactive") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("is-interactive") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const isInteractive = await import("is-interactive"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install is-interactive@1.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Jul 21, 2019); it declares Node.js >=8.
4. TypeScript: no types are available for is-interactive; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 2.0.0 (May 3, 2021)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 1.0.0
- ESM-only since: 2.0.0 (May 3, 2021)
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: >=12
- Weekly downloads: 60.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for is-interactive@2.0.0

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("is-interactive") from a CommonJS file and import "is-interactive" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("is-interactive") | import "is-interactive" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | works |
| Node.js 20 | works | works |
| Node.js 22 | works | works |
| Node.js 24 | works | works |
| Node.js 26 | works | works |
| Bun 1.4.0 | works | works |

## How to import is-interactive

ES modules:

```js
import * as isInteractive from "is-interactive";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const isInteractive = require("is-interactive");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=12), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const isInteractive = await import("is-interactive");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install is-interactive@1.0.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (3 versions; the newest 3 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0.0 | ESM-only | May 3, 2021 |
| 0.1.0 – 1.0.0 | CommonJS | Jul 6, 2019 |

## Frequently asked

**Is is-interactive ESM-only?**

is-interactive@2.0.0 is ESM-only. is-interactive dropped its CommonJS build in 2.0.0 (May 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 1.0.0, published Jul 21, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

**Which version of is-interactive still supports CommonJS / require()?**

1.0.0 is the last version of is-interactive with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install is-interactive@1.0.0". Every version from 2.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use is-interactive from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const isInteractive = await import("is-interactive"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("is-interactive") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin is-interactive@1.0.0 (declares Node.js >=8).

**Does is-interactive work in Bun?**

Yes. import "is-interactive" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does is-interactive ship TypeScript types?**

No. is-interactive ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [is-interactive on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/is-interactive)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/sindresorhus/is-interactive)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/is-interactive/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/is-interactive.json)

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