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

> resolve@1.22.12 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

resolve like require.resolve() on behalf of files asynchronously and synchronously

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against resolve@1.22.12.

resolve ships CommonJS only. require("resolve") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4. import "resolve" 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("resolve") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import resolve from "resolve"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/resolve

## Facts

- Latest: 1.22.12 (Apr 11, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.22.12
- TypeScript types: @types/resolve
- Node engines: >= 0.4
- Weekly downloads: 207.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for resolve@1.22.12

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import resolve from "resolve";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (93 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.7.4 – 1.22.12 | CommonJS | Jul 25, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is resolve ESM-only?**

resolve@1.22.12 is a CommonJS package. resolve ships CommonJS only. require("resolve") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4. import "resolve" 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 resolve with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does resolve ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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