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

> should@13.2.3 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

test framework agnostic BDD-style assertions

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against should@13.2.3.

should ships CommonJS only. require("should") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "should" 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("should") 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 should from "should"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 13.2.3 (Jul 30, 2018)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 13.2.3
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 3.3M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for should@13.2.3

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import should from "should";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (113 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4.2 – 13.2.3 | CommonJS | Dec 27, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is should ESM-only?**

should@13.2.3 is a CommonJS package. should ships CommonJS only. require("should") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "should" 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 should with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does should ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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