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

> jose@6.2.12 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 6.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 5.10.0.

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Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against jose@6.2.12.

jose dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (February 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.10.0, published Feb 17, 2025.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("jose") 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("jose") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("jose") 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 jose = await import("jose"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports.
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install jose@5.10.0, the last CommonJS release (published Feb 17, 2025).
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.2.12 (Sep 5, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 5.10.0
- ESM-only since: 6.0.0 (Feb 22, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 116.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for jose@6.2.12

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import * as jose from "jose";
```

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 jose = require("jose");

// Any Node.js version the package supports, from an async function:
async function main() {
  const jose = await import("jose");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install jose@5.10.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (244 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0.0 – 6.2.12 | ESM-only | Feb 22, 2025 |
| 5.0.1 – 5.10.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Oct 25, 2023 |

## Frequently asked

**Is jose ESM-only?**

jose@6.2.12 is ESM-only. jose dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (February 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.10.0, published Feb 17, 2025.

**Which version of jose still supports CommonJS / require()?**

5.10.0 is the last version of jose with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install jose@5.10.0". Every version from 6.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use jose from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const jose = await import("jose"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("jose") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin jose@5.10.0.

**Does jose work in Bun?**

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

**Does jose ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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