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

> open@11.0.2 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 9.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 8.4.2.

Open stuff like URLs, files, executables. Cross-platform.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against open@11.0.2.

open dropped its CommonJS build in 9.0.0 (March 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 8.4.2, published Feb 20, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=12.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("open") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and open@11.0.2 declares Node.js >=20, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

open@11.0.2 declares engines ">=20", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("open") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const open = await import("open"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install open@8.4.2, the last CommonJS release (published Feb 20, 2023); it declares Node.js >=12.
4. open@11.0.2 declares engines ">=20", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 11.0.2 (Aug 29, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 8.4.2
- ESM-only since: 9.0.0 (Mar 20, 2023)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20
- Weekly downloads: 130.4M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for open@11.0.2

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

| Runtime | require("open") | import "open" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_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 open

ES modules:

```js
import * as open from "open";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const open = require("open");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const open = await import("open");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=12):
// npm install open@8.4.2
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (54 versions; the newest 54 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0.0 – 11.0.2 | ESM-only | Mar 20, 2023 |
| 0.0.0 – 8.4.2 | CommonJS | Apr 14, 2012 |

## Frequently asked

**Is open ESM-only?**

open@11.0.2 is ESM-only. open dropped its CommonJS build in 9.0.0 (March 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 8.4.2, published Feb 20, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=12.

**Which version of open still supports CommonJS / require()?**

8.4.2 is the last version of open with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=12. Install it with "npm install open@8.4.2". Every version from 9.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use open from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const open = await import("open"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("open") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin open@8.4.2 (declares Node.js >=12).

**Does open work in Bun?**

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

**Does open ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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