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

> make-dir@5.1.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 5.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 4.0.0.

Make a directory and its parents if needed - Think `mkdir -p`

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against make-dir@5.1.0.

make-dir dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (May 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.0.0, published Jun 23, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

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

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("make-dir") 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 makeDir = await import("make-dir"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install make-dir@4.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Jun 23, 2023); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.1.0 (Sep 10, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 4.0.0
- ESM-only since: 5.0.0 (May 2, 2024)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 99.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for make-dir@5.1.0

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

| Runtime | require("make-dir") | import "make-dir" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 make-dir

ES modules:

```js
import * as makeDir from "make-dir";
```

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 makeDir = require("make-dir");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const makeDir = await import("make-dir");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install make-dir@4.0.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (13 versions; the newest 13 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.0 – 5.1.0 | ESM-only | May 2, 2024 |
| 1.0.0 – 4.0.0 | CommonJS | May 9, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is make-dir ESM-only?**

make-dir@5.1.0 is ESM-only. make-dir dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (May 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.0.0, published Jun 23, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

**Which version of make-dir still supports CommonJS / require()?**

4.0.0 is the last version of make-dir with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install make-dir@4.0.0". Every version from 5.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use make-dir from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const makeDir = await import("make-dir"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("make-dir") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin make-dir@4.0.0 (declares Node.js >=10).

**Does make-dir work in Bun?**

Yes. import "make-dir" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does make-dir ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. make-dir bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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