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Is replace-in-file ESM-only? Can you require() it?

A simple utility to quickly replace text in one or more files.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against replace-in-file@9.0.0. Markdown · JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 8.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 7.2.0

replace-in-file dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (June 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.2.0, published May 26, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (replace-in-file@9.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.12.0), require("replace-in-file") 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 replace-in-file@9.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.12.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

replace-in-file@9.0.0 declares engines ">=22.12.0", 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 (replace-in-file@9.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.12.0), require("replace-in-file") 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 replaceInFile = await import("replace-in-file"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22.12.0).
  3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install replace-in-file@7.2.0, the last CommonJS release (published May 26, 2024); it declares Node.js >=10.
  4. replace-in-file@9.0.0 declares engines ">=22.12.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
  5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
9.0.0 (Aug 2, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
7.2.0
ESM-only since
8.0.0 (Jun 24, 2024)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>=22.12.0
Weekly downloads
1.0M
License
MIT

Does replace-in-file@9.0.0 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("replace-in-file")import "replace-in-file"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_REQUIRE_ESM✓ 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 replace-in-file

ES modules (import)

import * as replaceInFile from "replace-in-file";

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

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const replaceInFile = require("replace-in-file");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=22.12.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const replaceInFile = await import("replace-in-file");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install replace-in-file@7.2.0

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (82 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
8.0.0 – 9.0.0ESM-onlyJun 24, 2024
2.2.2 – 7.2.0CommonJSJan 25, 2017

Frequently asked

Is replace-in-file ESM-only?

replace-in-file@9.0.0 is ESM-only. replace-in-file dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (June 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.2.0, published May 26, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

Which version of replace-in-file still supports CommonJS / require()?

7.2.0 is the last version of replace-in-file with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install replace-in-file@7.2.0". Every version from 8.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use replace-in-file from a CommonJS file?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const replaceInFile = await import("replace-in-file"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22.12.0). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (replace-in-file@9.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.12.0), require("replace-in-file") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin replace-in-file@7.2.0 (declares Node.js >=10).

Does replace-in-file work in Bun?

Yes. import "replace-in-file" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does replace-in-file ship TypeScript types?

Yes. replace-in-file bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

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