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

> lint-staged@17.5.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 12.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 11.2.6.

Lint files staged by git

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against lint-staged@17.5.0.

lint-staged dropped its CommonJS build in 12.0.0 (November 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 11.2.6, published Oct 26, 2021.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (lint-staged@17.5.0 declares Node.js >=22.22.1), require("lint-staged") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and lint-staged@17.5.0 declares Node.js >=22.22.1, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

lint-staged@17.5.0 declares engines ">=22.22.1", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (lint-staged@17.5.0 declares Node.js >=22.22.1), require("lint-staged") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const lintStaged = await import("lint-staged"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22.22.1).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install lint-staged@11.2.6, the last CommonJS release (published Oct 26, 2021).
4. lint-staged@17.5.0 declares engines ">=22.22.1", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 17.5.0 (Sep 5, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 11.2.6
- ESM-only since: 12.0.0 (Nov 13, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=22.22.1
- Weekly downloads: 26.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for lint-staged@17.5.0

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

| Runtime | require("lint-staged") | import "lint-staged" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 lint-staged

ES modules:

```js
import * as lintStaged from "lint-staged";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const lintStaged = require("lint-staged");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=22.22.1), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const lintStaged = await import("lint-staged");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install lint-staged@11.2.6
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (265 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 15.0.0 – 17.5.0 | ESM-only | Oct 14, 2023 |

## Frequently asked

**Is lint-staged ESM-only?**

lint-staged@17.5.0 is ESM-only. lint-staged dropped its CommonJS build in 12.0.0 (November 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 11.2.6, published Oct 26, 2021.

**Which version of lint-staged still supports CommonJS / require()?**

11.2.6 is the last version of lint-staged with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install lint-staged@11.2.6". Every version from 12.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use lint-staged from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const lintStaged = await import("lint-staged"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22.22.1). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (lint-staged@17.5.0 declares Node.js >=22.22.1), require("lint-staged") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin lint-staged@11.2.6.

**Does lint-staged work in Bun?**

Yes. import "lint-staged" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does lint-staged ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. lint-staged bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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