# Is react-hot-loader ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> react-hot-loader@4.13.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

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Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against react-hot-loader@4.13.1.

react-hot-loader ships CommonJS only. require("react-hot-loader") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6. import "react-hot-loader" 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("react-hot-loader") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import reactHotLoader from "react-hot-loader"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 4.13.1 (Nov 13, 2022)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 4.13.1
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 6
- Weekly downloads: 315K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for react-hot-loader@4.13.1

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

| Runtime | require("react-hot-loader") | import "react-hot-loader" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 react-hot-loader

ES modules:

```js
import reactHotLoader from "react-hot-loader";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const reactHotLoader = require("react-hot-loader");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (124 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.3.3 – 4.13.1 | CommonJS | Jun 15, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is react-hot-loader ESM-only?**

react-hot-loader@4.13.1 is a CommonJS package. react-hot-loader ships CommonJS only. require("react-hot-loader") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6. import "react-hot-loader" 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 react-hot-loader with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import reactHotLoader from "react-hot-loader" 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 react-hot-loader work in Bun?**

Yes. import "react-hot-loader" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does react-hot-loader ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. react-hot-loader bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [react-hot-loader on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-hot-loader)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/gaearon/react-hot-loader)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/react-hot-loader/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/react-hot-loader.json)

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