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

> require-directory@2.1.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Recursively iterates over specified directory, require()'ing each file, and returning a nested hash structure containing those modules.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against require-directory@2.1.1.

require-directory ships CommonJS only. require("require-directory") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0. import "require-directory" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

## What to do

1. require("require-directory") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import requireDirectory from "require-directory"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/require-directory

## Facts

- Latest: 2.1.1 (May 28, 2015)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.1.1
- TypeScript types: @types/require-directory
- Node engines: >=0.10.0
- Weekly downloads: 112.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for require-directory@2.1.1

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

| Runtime | require("require-directory") | import "require-directory" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | works | 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 require-directory

ES modules:

```js
import requireDirectory from "require-directory";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const requireDirectory = require("require-directory");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (12 versions; the newest 12 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.1 – 2.1.1 | CommonJS | Dec 27, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is require-directory ESM-only?**

require-directory@2.1.1 is a CommonJS package. require-directory ships CommonJS only. require("require-directory") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0. import "require-directory" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

**Can I import require-directory with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import requireDirectory from "require-directory" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

**Does require-directory work in Bun?**

Yes. import "require-directory" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does require-directory ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/require-directory".

## Links

- [require-directory on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/require-directory)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/troygoode/node-require-directory)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/require-directory/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/require-directory.json)

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