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

> pug@3.0.4 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A clean, whitespace-sensitive template language for writing HTML

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against pug@3.0.4.

pug ships CommonJS only. require("pug") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "pug" 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("pug") 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 pug from "pug"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/pug

## Facts

- Latest: 3.0.4 (Mar 13, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.0.4
- TypeScript types: @types/pug
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 3.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for pug@3.0.4

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import pug from "pug";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const pug = require("pug");
```

## 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.0 – 3.0.4 | CommonJS | Aug 22, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is pug ESM-only?**

pug@3.0.4 is a CommonJS package. pug ships CommonJS only. require("pug") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "pug" 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 pug with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import pug from "pug" 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 pug work in Bun?**

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

**Does pug ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

- [pug on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/pug)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/pugjs/pug.git#master)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/pug/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/pug.json)

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