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

> pod-install@1.1.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A fast, zero-dependency package for cutting down on common issues developers have when running pod install.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against pod-install@1.1.0.

pod-install ships CommonJS only. require("pod-install") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "pod-install" 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("pod-install") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import podInstall from "pod-install"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for pod-install; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 1.1.0 (Jun 25, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.1.0
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 84K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for pod-install@1.1.0

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

| Runtime | require("pod-install") | import "pod-install" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 pod-install

ES modules:

```js
import podInstall from "pod-install";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const podInstall = require("pod-install");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (76 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.16 – 1.1.0 | CommonJS | Jan 27, 2021 |

## Frequently asked

**Is pod-install ESM-only?**

pod-install@1.1.0 is a CommonJS package. pod-install ships CommonJS only. require("pod-install") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "pod-install" 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 pod-install with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import podInstall from "pod-install" 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 pod-install work in Bun?**

Yes. import "pod-install" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does pod-install ship TypeScript types?**

No. pod-install ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

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

---

For scripts and AI agents: any package is at https://canirequire.com/package/<name>/index.md (Markdown) or https://canirequire.com/package/<name>.json (JSON); the site index is https://canirequire.com/llms.txt. Fetch the URL directly; no search needed.