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

> replace-in-file@9.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 8.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 7.2.0.

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

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

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.

## Facts

- 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

## Runtime test results for replace-in-file@9.0.0

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.

| Runtime | require("replace-in-file") | import "replace-in-file" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_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:

```js
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:

```js
// 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 (82 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0.0 – 9.0.0 | ESM-only | Jun 24, 2024 |
| 2.2.2 – 7.2.0 | CommonJS | Jan 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

- [replace-in-file on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/replace-in-file)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/adamreisnz/replace-in-file)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/replace-in-file/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/replace-in-file.json)

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