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Is npm-check-updates ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Find newer versions of dependencies than what your package.json allows

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against npm-check-updates@23.1.0. JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 23.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 22.2.9

npm-check-updates dropped its CommonJS build in 23.0.0 (July 2026). The last version you can require() on every Node.js version, including 18 and older, is 22.2.9, published Jun 28, 2026.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and every newer release, require("npm-check-updates") works anyway: Node can load synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node 22, 24, 26. Node.js 18 and older still fail with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares engines "^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

Latest
23.1.0 (Aug 23, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
22.2.9
ESM-only since
23.0.0 (Jul 26, 2026)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0
Weekly downloads
702K
License
Apache-2.0

Does npm-check-updates@23.1.0 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("npm-check-updates")import "npm-check-updates"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_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✓ works✓ works

How to import npm-check-updates

ES modules (import)

import npmCheckUpdates from "npm-check-updates";

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 20.19+ / 22.12+ / newer (package has no top-level await):
const npmCheckUpdates = require("npm-check-updates");

// Any Node.js version:
const npmCheckUpdates = await import("npm-check-updates");

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install npm-check-updates@22.2.9

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (484 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
23.0.0 – 23.1.0ESM-onlyJul 26, 2026
21.0.0 – 22.2.9Dual (CommonJS + ESM)Apr 14, 2026
17.1.11 – 20.0.2CommonJSNov 12, 2024

Frequently asked

Is npm-check-updates ESM-only?

npm-check-updates@23.1.0 is ESM-only. npm-check-updates dropped its CommonJS build in 23.0.0 (July 2026). The last version you can require() on every Node.js version, including 18 and older, is 22.2.9, published Jun 28, 2026.

Which version of npm-check-updates still supports CommonJS / require()?

22.2.9 is the last version of npm-check-updates with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install npm-check-updates@22.2.9". Every version from 23.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use npm-check-updates from a CommonJS file?

Use a dynamic import: const mod = await import("npm-check-updates"). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, a plain require("npm-check-updates") also works for ESM packages that do not use top-level await. Alternatively pin npm-check-updates@22.2.9.

Does npm-check-updates work in Bun?

Yes. import "npm-check-updates" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does npm-check-updates ship TypeScript types?

Yes. npm-check-updates bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

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