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

> meow@14.1.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 10.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 9.0.0.

CLI app helper

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against meow@14.1.0.

meow dropped its CommonJS build in 10.0.0 (May 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 9.0.0, published Jan 7, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("meow") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and meow@14.1.0 declares Node.js >=20, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

meow@14.1.0 declares engines ">=20", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("meow") 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 meow = await import("meow"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install meow@9.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Jan 7, 2021); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. meow@14.1.0 declares engines ">=20", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 14.1.0 (Feb 20, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 9.0.0
- ESM-only since: 10.0.0 (May 5, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20
- Weekly downloads: 36.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for meow@14.1.0

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

| Runtime | require("meow") | import "meow" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | fails (Error) |
| 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 meow

ES modules:

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

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 meow = require("meow");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const meow = await import("meow");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install meow@9.0.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (46 versions; the newest 46 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 10.0.0 – 14.1.0 | ESM-only | May 5, 2021 |
| 1.0.0 – 9.0.0 | CommonJS | Oct 12, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is meow ESM-only?**

meow@14.1.0 is ESM-only. meow dropped its CommonJS build in 10.0.0 (May 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 9.0.0, published Jan 7, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

**Which version of meow still supports CommonJS / require()?**

9.0.0 is the last version of meow with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install meow@9.0.0". Every version from 10.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use meow from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const meow = await import("meow"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("meow") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin meow@9.0.0 (declares Node.js >=10).

**Does meow work in Bun?**

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

**Does meow ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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