# Is rollup-plugin-livereload ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> rollup-plugin-livereload@2.0.5 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Rollup plugin for LiveReload that watches the bundle and reloads the page on change

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against rollup-plugin-livereload@2.0.5.

rollup-plugin-livereload ships CommonJS only. require("rollup-plugin-livereload") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.3. import "rollup-plugin-livereload" 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.

It also declares a "module" field, so bundlers such as webpack, Vite and esbuild pick up an ESM build for tree-shaking.

## What to do

1. require("rollup-plugin-livereload") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.3.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import rollupPluginLivereload from "rollup-plugin-livereload"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 2.0.5 (Jun 29, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.0.5
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=8.3
- Weekly downloads: 54K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for rollup-plugin-livereload@2.0.5

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

| Runtime | require("rollup-plugin-livereload") | import "rollup-plugin-livereload" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 rollup-plugin-livereload

ES modules:

```js
import rollupPluginLivereload from "rollup-plugin-livereload";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const rollupPluginLivereload = require("rollup-plugin-livereload");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (25 versions; the newest 25 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.1 – 2.0.5 | CommonJS | Sep 24, 2016 |

## Frequently asked

**Is rollup-plugin-livereload ESM-only?**

rollup-plugin-livereload@2.0.5 is a CommonJS package. rollup-plugin-livereload ships CommonJS only. require("rollup-plugin-livereload") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.3. import "rollup-plugin-livereload" 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 rollup-plugin-livereload with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import rollupPluginLivereload from "rollup-plugin-livereload" 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 rollup-plugin-livereload work in Bun?**

Yes. import "rollup-plugin-livereload" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does rollup-plugin-livereload ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. rollup-plugin-livereload bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [rollup-plugin-livereload on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/rollup-plugin-livereload)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/thgh/rollup-plugin-livereload)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/rollup-plugin-livereload/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/rollup-plugin-livereload.json)

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