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

> rimraf@6.1.3 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

A deep deletion module for node (like `rm -rf`)

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against rimraf@6.1.3.

rimraf publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 4.0.0). require("rimraf") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js 20 || >=22. import "rimraf" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("rimraf") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js 20 || >=22. import * as rimraf from "rimraf" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.1.3 (Feb 16, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 6.1.3
- Native ESM since: 4.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: 20 || >=22
- Weekly downloads: 142.9M
- License: BlueOak-1.0.0

## Runtime test results for rimraf@6.1.3

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import * as rimraf from "rimraf";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (86 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0.0 – 6.1.3 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jan 13, 2023 |
| 2.3.0 – 3.0.2 | CommonJS | Mar 3, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is rimraf ESM-only?**

rimraf@6.1.3 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. rimraf publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 4.0.0). require("rimraf") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js 20 || >=22. import "rimraf" works alongside it.

**Can I require rimraf?**

Yes. rimraf ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("rimraf") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js 20 || >=22.

**Does rimraf work in Bun?**

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

**Does rimraf ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. rimraf bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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