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

> nodemon@3.1.14 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Simple monitor script for use during development of a Node.js app.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against nodemon@3.1.14.

nodemon ships CommonJS only. require("nodemon") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10. import "nodemon" 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("nodemon") 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 nodemon from "nodemon"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 3.1.14 (Feb 20, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.1.14
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=10
- Weekly downloads: 12.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for nodemon@3.1.14

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import nodemon from "nodemon";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (216 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.17.5 – 3.1.14 | CommonJS | May 23, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is nodemon ESM-only?**

nodemon@3.1.14 is a CommonJS package. nodemon ships CommonJS only. require("nodemon") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10. import "nodemon" 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 nodemon with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does nodemon ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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