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

> nopt@10.0.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Option parsing for Node, supporting types, shorthands, etc. Used by npm.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against nopt@10.0.1.

nopt ships CommonJS only. require("nopt") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0. import "nopt" 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("nopt") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import nopt from "nopt"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/nopt

## Facts

- Latest: 10.0.1 (Jun 4, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 10.0.1
- TypeScript types: @types/nopt
- Node engines: ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 67.7M
- License: ISC

## Runtime test results for nopt@10.0.1

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import nopt from "nopt";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (39 versions; the newest 39 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 10.0.1 | CommonJS | Mar 30, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is nopt ESM-only?**

nopt@10.0.1 is a CommonJS package. nopt ships CommonJS only. require("nopt") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0. import "nopt" 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 nopt with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does nopt ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/nopt".

## Links

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

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