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

> karma@6.4.4 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Spectacular Test Runner for JavaScript.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against karma@6.4.4.

karma ships CommonJS only. require("karma") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 10. import "karma" 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("karma") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 10.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import karma from "karma"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/karma

## Facts

- Latest: 6.4.4 (Jul 29, 2024)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 6.4.4
- TypeScript types: @types/karma
- Node engines: >= 10
- Weekly downloads: 2.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for karma@6.4.4

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import karma from "karma";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (186 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1.3 – 6.4.4 | CommonJS | Dec 1, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is karma ESM-only?**

karma@6.4.4 is a CommonJS package. karma ships CommonJS only. require("karma") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 10. import "karma" 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 karma with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does karma ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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