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

> requirejs@2.3.8 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Node adapter for RequireJS, for loading AMD modules. Includes RequireJS optimizer

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against requirejs@2.3.8.

requirejs ships CommonJS only. require("requirejs") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.4.0. import "requirejs" 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("requirejs") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.4.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import requirejs from "requirejs"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/requirejs

## Facts

- Latest: 2.3.8 (Nov 30, 2025)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.3.8
- TypeScript types: @types/requirejs
- Node engines: >=0.4.0
- Weekly downloads: 3.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for requirejs@2.3.8

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

| Runtime | require("requirejs") | import "requirejs" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 requirejs

ES modules:

```js
import requirejs from "requirejs";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const requirejs = require("requirejs");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (52 versions; the newest 52 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.26.0 – 2.3.8 | CommonJS | Aug 17, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is requirejs ESM-only?**

requirejs@2.3.8 is a CommonJS package. requirejs ships CommonJS only. require("requirejs") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.4.0. import "requirejs" 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 requirejs with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import requirejs from "requirejs" 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 requirejs work in Bun?**

Yes. import "requirejs" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does requirejs ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

- [requirejs on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/requirejs)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/jrburke/r.js)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/requirejs/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/requirejs.json)

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