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

> joi@18.2.8 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Object schema validation

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against joi@18.2.8.

joi ships CommonJS only. require("joi") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 20. import "joi" 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("joi") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 20.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import joi from "joi"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 18.2.8 (Sep 2, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 18.2.8
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 20
- Weekly downloads: 24.2M
- License: BSD-3-Clause

## Runtime test results for joi@18.2.8

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

| Runtime | require("joi") | import "joi" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 joi

ES modules:

```js
import joi from "joi";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const joi = require("joi");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (246 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 14.1.1 – 18.2.8 | CommonJS | Nov 24, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is joi ESM-only?**

joi@18.2.8 is a CommonJS package. joi ships CommonJS only. require("joi") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 20. import "joi" 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 joi with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import joi from "joi" 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 joi work in Bun?**

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

**Does joi ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. joi bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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