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

> serialize-javascript@7.1.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Serialize JavaScript to a superset of JSON that includes regular expressions and functions.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against serialize-javascript@7.1.1.

serialize-javascript ships CommonJS only. require("serialize-javascript") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0. import "serialize-javascript" 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("serialize-javascript") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import serializeJavascript from "serialize-javascript"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/serialize-javascript

## Facts

- Latest: 7.1.1 (Aug 29, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 7.1.1
- TypeScript types: @types/serialize-javascript
- Node engines: >=20.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 43.6M
- License: BSD-3-Clause

## Runtime test results for serialize-javascript@7.1.1

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

| Runtime | require("serialize-javascript") | import "serialize-javascript" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 serialize-javascript

ES modules:

```js
import serializeJavascript from "serialize-javascript";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const serializeJavascript = require("serialize-javascript");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (34 versions; the newest 34 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 7.1.1 | CommonJS | Sep 16, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is serialize-javascript ESM-only?**

serialize-javascript@7.1.1 is a CommonJS package. serialize-javascript ships CommonJS only. require("serialize-javascript") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0. import "serialize-javascript" 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 serialize-javascript with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import serializeJavascript from "serialize-javascript" 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 serialize-javascript work in Bun?**

Yes. import "serialize-javascript" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does serialize-javascript ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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