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

> js-tokens@10.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 10.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 9.0.1.

Tiny JavaScript tokenizer.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against js-tokens@10.0.0.

js-tokens dropped its CommonJS build in 10.0.0 (December 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 9.0.1, published Nov 22, 2024.

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

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("js-tokens") 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 jsTokens = await import("js-tokens"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports.
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install js-tokens@9.0.1, the last CommonJS release (published Nov 22, 2024).
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 10.0.0 (Dec 8, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 9.0.1
- ESM-only since: 10.0.0 (Dec 8, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 224.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for js-tokens@10.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("js-tokens") | import "js-tokens" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 js-tokens

ES modules:

```js
import * as jsTokens from "js-tokens";
```

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 jsTokens = require("js-tokens");

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

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install js-tokens@9.0.1
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (25 versions; the newest 25 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 10.0.0 | ESM-only | Dec 8, 2025 |
| 0.1.0 – 9.0.1 | CommonJS | Mar 8, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is js-tokens ESM-only?**

js-tokens@10.0.0 is ESM-only. js-tokens dropped its CommonJS build in 10.0.0 (December 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 9.0.1, published Nov 22, 2024.

**Which version of js-tokens still supports CommonJS / require()?**

9.0.1 is the last version of js-tokens with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install js-tokens@9.0.1". Every version from 10.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use js-tokens from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const jsTokens = await import("js-tokens"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("js-tokens") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin js-tokens@9.0.1.

**Does js-tokens work in Bun?**

Yes. import "js-tokens" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does js-tokens ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. js-tokens bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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