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

> retry@0.13.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Abstraction for exponential and custom retry strategies for failed operations.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against retry@0.13.1.

retry ships CommonJS only. require("retry") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 4. import "retry" 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("retry") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 4.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import retry from "retry"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/retry

## Facts

- Latest: 0.13.1 (Jun 21, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 0.13.1
- TypeScript types: @types/retry
- Node engines: >= 4
- Weekly downloads: 96.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for retry@0.13.1

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import retry from "retry";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (15 versions; the newest 15 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.1 – 0.13.1 | CommonJS | May 13, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is retry ESM-only?**

retry@0.13.1 is a CommonJS package. retry ships CommonJS only. require("retry") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 4. import "retry" 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 retry with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does retry ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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