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Is istanbul ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Yet another JS code coverage tool that computes statement, line, function and branch coverage with module loader hooks to transparently add coverage when running tests. Supports all JS coverage use cases including unit tests, server side functional tests

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against istanbul@0.4.5. Markdown · JSON

CommonJS CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test

istanbul ships CommonJS only. require("istanbul") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "istanbul" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

What to do

  1. require("istanbul") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.
  2. From ES modules use the default import: import istanbul from "istanbul"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
  3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/istanbul
  4. This package is deprecated: This module is no longer maintained, try this instead: npm i nyc Visit https://istanbul.js.org/integrations for other alternatives.
Latest
0.4.5 (Aug 21, 2016)
Module format
CommonJS
Last CommonJS version
0.4.5
TypeScript types
@types/istanbul
Node engines
not declared
Weekly downloads
938K
License
BSD-3-Clause

Deprecated: This module is no longer maintained, try this instead: npm i nyc Visit https://istanbul.js.org/integrations for other alternatives.

Does istanbul@0.4.5 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("istanbul")import "istanbul"
Node.js 18✓ works✓ 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 istanbul

ES modules (import)

import istanbul from "istanbul";

Named imports from a CommonJS package only work when Node.js can statically detect them. If a named import fails, use the default import and destructure.

CommonJS (require)

const istanbul = require("istanbul");

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (92 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
0.1.32 – 0.4.5CommonJSMar 8, 2013

Frequently asked

Is istanbul ESM-only?

istanbul@0.4.5 is a CommonJS package. istanbul ships CommonJS only. require("istanbul") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "istanbul" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

Can I import istanbul with ES module syntax?

Yes. import istanbul from "istanbul" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

Does istanbul work in Bun?

Yes. import "istanbul" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does istanbul ship TypeScript types?

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/istanbul".

Links

Other commonjs packages

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