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

> pkg-dir@9.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 6.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 5.0.0.

Find the root directory of a Node.js project or npm package

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against pkg-dir@9.0.0.

pkg-dir dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (October 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.0.0, published Oct 16, 2020; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("pkg-dir") 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("pkg-dir") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

**Deprecated:** Renamed to `package-directory`.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("pkg-dir") 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 pkgDir = await import("pkg-dir"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install pkg-dir@5.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Oct 16, 2020); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
5. This package is deprecated: Renamed to `package-directory`.

## Facts

- Latest: 9.0.0 (Jun 5, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 5.0.0
- ESM-only since: 6.0.0 (Oct 2, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 60.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for pkg-dir@9.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("pkg-dir") | import "pkg-dir" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 pkg-dir

ES modules:

```js
import * as pkgDir from "pkg-dir";
```

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 pkgDir = require("pkg-dir");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const pkgDir = await import("pkg-dir");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install pkg-dir@5.0.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (12 versions; the newest 12 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0.0 – 9.0.0 | ESM-only | Oct 2, 2021 |
| 1.0.0 – 5.0.0 | CommonJS | Sep 1, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is pkg-dir ESM-only?**

pkg-dir@9.0.0 is ESM-only. pkg-dir dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (October 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.0.0, published Oct 16, 2020; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

**Which version of pkg-dir still supports CommonJS / require()?**

5.0.0 is the last version of pkg-dir with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install pkg-dir@5.0.0". Every version from 6.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use pkg-dir from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const pkgDir = await import("pkg-dir"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("pkg-dir") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin pkg-dir@5.0.0 (declares Node.js >=10).

**Does pkg-dir work in Bun?**

Yes. import "pkg-dir" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does pkg-dir ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. pkg-dir bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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