# Is react-native-builder-bob ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> react-native-builder-bob@0.43.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 0.42.0 — last CommonJS version is 0.41.0.

CLI to build JavaScript files for React Native libraries

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against react-native-builder-bob@0.43.1.

react-native-builder-bob dropped its CommonJS build in 0.42.0 (June 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 0.41.0, published Apr 1, 2026; it declares support for Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0.

require("react-native-builder-bob") failed in our probe on Node.js 20+ as well; see the runtime table for the error before relying on it. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and react-native-builder-bob@0.43.1 declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

react-native-builder-bob@0.43.1 declares engines "^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. require("react-native-builder-bob") failed in our probe on Node.js 20+ as well; see the runtime table for the error before relying on it.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const reactNativeBuilderBob = await import("react-native-builder-bob"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require(): npm install react-native-builder-bob@0.41.0, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 1, 2026); it declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0.
4. react-native-builder-bob@0.43.1 declares engines "^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: no types are available for react-native-builder-bob; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 0.43.1 (Sep 8, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 0.41.0
- ESM-only since: 0.42.0 (Jun 8, 2026)
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0
- Weekly downloads: 375K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for react-native-builder-bob@0.43.1

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

| Runtime | require("react-native-builder-bob") | import "react-native-builder-bob" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | fails (SyntaxError) |
| Node.js 20 | fails (Error) | fails (Error) |
| Node.js 22 | fails (Error) | fails (Error) |
| Node.js 24 | fails (Error) | fails (Error) |
| Node.js 26 | fails (Error) | fails (Error) |
| Bun 1.4.0 | fails (Error) | fails (Error) |

## How to import react-native-builder-bob

ES modules:

```js
import * as reactNativeBuilderBob from "react-native-builder-bob";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

```js
// require("react-native-builder-bob") failed in our probe on Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer as well (<command>); see the runtime table.

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const reactNativeBuilderBob = await import("react-native-builder-bob");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0):
// npm install react-native-builder-bob@0.41.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (78 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.42.0 – 0.43.1 | ESM-only | Jun 8, 2026 |
| 0.41.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Apr 1, 2026 |
| 0.23.0 – 0.40.18 | CommonJS | Sep 30, 2023 |

## Frequently asked

**Is react-native-builder-bob ESM-only?**

react-native-builder-bob@0.43.1 is ESM-only. react-native-builder-bob dropped its CommonJS build in 0.42.0 (June 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 0.41.0, published Apr 1, 2026; it declares support for Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0.

**Which version of react-native-builder-bob still supports CommonJS / require()?**

0.41.0 is the last version of react-native-builder-bob with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0. Install it with "npm install react-native-builder-bob@0.41.0". Every version from 0.42.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use react-native-builder-bob from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const reactNativeBuilderBob = await import("react-native-builder-bob"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0). require("react-native-builder-bob") failed in our probe on Node.js 20+ as well; see the runtime table for the error before relying on it. Alternatively pin react-native-builder-bob@0.41.0 (declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >= 23.4.0).

**Does react-native-builder-bob work in Bun?**

Importing react-native-builder-bob failed in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026: imp.mjs <command>

**Does react-native-builder-bob ship TypeScript types?**

No. react-native-builder-bob ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [react-native-builder-bob on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-native-builder-bob)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/callstack/react-native-builder-bob)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/react-native-builder-bob/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/react-native-builder-bob.json)

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