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

> pathval@2.0.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 2.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 1.1.1.

Object value retrieval given a string path

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against pathval@2.0.1.

pathval dropped its CommonJS build in 2.0.0 (July 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 1.1.1, published Jan 26, 2021; it declares support for Node.js *.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("pathval") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("pathval") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("pathval") 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 pathval = await import("pathval"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 14.16).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install pathval@1.1.1, the last CommonJS release (published Jan 26, 2021); it declares Node.js *.
4. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/pathval

## Facts

- Latest: 2.0.1 (Jun 25, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 1.1.1
- ESM-only since: 2.0.0 (Jul 21, 2023)
- TypeScript types: @types/pathval
- Node engines: >= 14.16
- Weekly downloads: 49.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for pathval@2.0.1

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

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

ES modules:

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

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 pathval = require("pathval");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>= 14.16), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const pathval = await import("pathval");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js *):
// npm install pathval@1.1.1
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (10 versions; the newest 10 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0.0 – 2.0.1 | ESM-only | Jul 21, 2023 |
| 0.0.1 – 1.1.1 | CommonJS | Nov 24, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is pathval ESM-only?**

pathval@2.0.1 is ESM-only. pathval dropped its CommonJS build in 2.0.0 (July 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 1.1.1, published Jan 26, 2021; it declares support for Node.js *.

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

1.1.1 is the last version of pathval with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js *. Install it with "npm install pathval@1.1.1". Every version from 2.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const pathval = await import("pathval"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 14.16). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("pathval") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin pathval@1.1.1 (declares Node.js *).

**Does pathval work in Bun?**

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

**Does pathval ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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