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

> release-it@21.0.2 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 15.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 14.14.3.

Generic CLI tool to automate versioning and package publishing-related tasks.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against release-it@21.0.2.

release-it dropped its CommonJS build in 15.0.0 (April 2022). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 14.14.3, published Apr 29, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (release-it@21.0.2 declares Node.js ^22.21.0 || >=24.0.0), require("release-it") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and release-it@21.0.2 declares Node.js ^22.21.0 || >=24.0.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

release-it@21.0.2 declares engines "^22.21.0 || >=24.0.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (release-it@21.0.2 declares Node.js ^22.21.0 || >=24.0.0), require("release-it") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const releaseIt = await import("release-it"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.21.0 || >=24.0.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install release-it@14.14.3, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 29, 2022); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. release-it@21.0.2 declares engines "^22.21.0 || >=24.0.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 21.0.2 (Aug 9, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 14.14.3
- ESM-only since: 15.0.0 (Apr 30, 2022)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: ^22.21.0 || >=24.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 815K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for release-it@21.0.2

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

| Runtime | require("release-it") | import "release-it" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | fails (SyntaxError) |
| 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 release-it

ES modules:

```js
import * as releaseIt from "release-it";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const releaseIt = require("release-it");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^22.21.0 || >=24.0.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const releaseIt = await import("release-it");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install release-it@14.14.3
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (345 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 15.10.5 – 21.0.2 | ESM-only | Jun 2, 2023 |

## Frequently asked

**Is release-it ESM-only?**

release-it@21.0.2 is ESM-only. release-it dropped its CommonJS build in 15.0.0 (April 2022). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 14.14.3, published Apr 29, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

**Which version of release-it still supports CommonJS / require()?**

14.14.3 is the last version of release-it with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install release-it@14.14.3". Every version from 15.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use release-it from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const releaseIt = await import("release-it"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.21.0 || >=24.0.0). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (release-it@21.0.2 declares Node.js ^22.21.0 || >=24.0.0), require("release-it") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin release-it@14.14.3 (declares Node.js >=10).

**Does release-it work in Bun?**

Yes. import "release-it" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does release-it ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. release-it bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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