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

> react-scripts@5.0.1 has no importable main entry. No JavaScript entry point.

Configuration and scripts for Create React App.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against react-scripts@5.0.1.

react-scripts does not expose a JavaScript entry point in package.json. It is likely a CLI, a stylesheet, a type-definition package, or an asset bundle, so require() and import are not the way to use it.

## What to do

1. Do not require() or import react-scripts: it has no JavaScript entry point. Use it as a CLI (npx react-scripts), a stylesheet, an asset, or a type-definition package as its README describes.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.1 (Apr 12, 2022)
- Module format: No JS entry point
- Last CommonJS version: n/a
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=14.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 2.3M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for react-scripts@5.0.1

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

| Runtime | require("react-scripts") | import "react-scripts" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (MODULE_NOT_FOUND) | fails (ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND) |
| Node.js 20 | fails (MODULE_NOT_FOUND) | fails (ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND) |
| Node.js 22 | fails (MODULE_NOT_FOUND) | fails (ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND) |
| Node.js 24 | fails (MODULE_NOT_FOUND) | fails (ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND) |
| Node.js 26 | fails (MODULE_NOT_FOUND) | fails (ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND) |
| Bun 1.4.0 | fails (Error) | fails (Error) |

## How to import react-scripts

ES modules:

```js
import * as reactScripts from "react-scripts";
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (87 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.9.4 – 5.0.1 | No JS entry point | Mar 6, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is react-scripts ESM-only?**

react-scripts@5.0.1 has no importable main entry. react-scripts does not expose a JavaScript entry point in package.json. It is likely a CLI, a stylesheet, a type-definition package, or an asset bundle, so require() and import are not the way to use it.

**Does react-scripts work in Bun?**

Importing react-scripts failed in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026: error: Cannot find package 'react-scripts' from '/Users/boat/Projects/top-seo/data/probe-work/react-scripts/imp.mjs'

**Does react-scripts ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

- [react-scripts on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-scripts)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/facebook/create-react-app)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/react-scripts/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/react-scripts.json)

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