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

> keyv@5.6.0 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

Simple key-value storage with support for multiple backends

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against keyv@5.6.0.

keyv publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 5.0.0). require("keyv") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "keyv" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("keyv") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import * as keyv from "keyv" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.6.0 (Jan 21, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 5.6.0
- Native ESM since: 5.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 142.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for keyv@5.6.0

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

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

ES modules:

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

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (77 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.0 – 5.6.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Aug 20, 2024 |
| 1.0.3 – 4.5.4 | CommonJS | Aug 3, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is keyv ESM-only?**

keyv@5.6.0 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. keyv publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 5.0.0). require("keyv") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "keyv" works alongside it.

**Can I require keyv?**

Yes. keyv ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("keyv") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.

**Does keyv work in Bun?**

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

**Does keyv ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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