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

> shortid@2.2.17 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Amazingly short non-sequential url-friendly unique id generator.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against shortid@2.2.17.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 2.2.17 (Jan 23, 2025)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.2.17
- TypeScript types: @types/shortid
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 947K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for shortid@2.2.17

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import shortid from "shortid";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (32 versions; the newest 32 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 2.2.17 | CommonJS | Dec 19, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is shortid ESM-only?**

shortid@2.2.17 is a CommonJS package. shortid ships CommonJS only. require("shortid") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "shortid" 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 shortid with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does shortid ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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