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

> object-inspect@1.13.4 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

string representations of objects in node and the browser

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against object-inspect@1.13.4.

object-inspect ships CommonJS only. require("object-inspect") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4. import "object-inspect" 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("object-inspect") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import objectInspect from "object-inspect"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/object-inspect

## Facts

- Latest: 1.13.4 (Feb 5, 2025)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.13.4
- TypeScript types: @types/object-inspect
- Node engines: >= 0.4
- Weekly downloads: 146.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for object-inspect@1.13.4

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

| Runtime | require("object-inspect") | import "object-inspect" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 object-inspect

ES modules:

```js
import objectInspect from "object-inspect";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const objectInspect = require("object-inspect");
```

## 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.0 – 1.13.4 | CommonJS | Jul 26, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is object-inspect ESM-only?**

object-inspect@1.13.4 is a CommonJS package. object-inspect ships CommonJS only. require("object-inspect") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4. import "object-inspect" 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 object-inspect with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import objectInspect from "object-inspect" 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 object-inspect work in Bun?**

Yes. import "object-inspect" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does object-inspect ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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