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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. Markdown · 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 with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 22.2.9, published Jun 28, 2026; it declares support for Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0), require("npm-check-updates") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

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.

What to do

  1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0), require("npm-check-updates") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
  2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const npmCheckUpdates = await import("npm-check-updates"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0).
  3. If you need a synchronous require(): npm install npm-check-updates@22.2.9, the last CommonJS release (published Jun 28, 2026); it declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0.
  4. npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares engines "^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
  5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
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 1.4.0✓ works✓ works

How to import npm-check-updates

ES modules (import)

import * as npmCheckUpdates from "npm-check-updates";

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const npmCheckUpdates = require("npm-check-updates");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const npmCheckUpdates = await import("npm-check-updates");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0):
// 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, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (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 with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 22.2.9, published Jun 28, 2026; it declares support for Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0.

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; it declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0. 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?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const npmCheckUpdates = await import("npm-check-updates"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0), require("npm-check-updates") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin npm-check-updates@22.2.9 (declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0).

Does npm-check-updates work in Bun?

Yes. import "npm-check-updates" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 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

Other esm-only packages

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