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

> simple-git@3.36.0 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

Simple GIT interface for node.js

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against simple-git@3.36.0.

simple-git publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 3.0.1). require("simple-git") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "simple-git" works alongside it.

## What to do

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

## Facts

- Latest: 3.36.0 (Apr 12, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 3.36.0
- Native ESM since: 3.0.1
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 7.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for simple-git@3.36.0

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

| Runtime | require("simple-git") | import "simple-git" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 simple-git

ES modules:

```js
import * as simpleGit from "simple-git";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
const simpleGit = require("simple-git");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (274 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0.1 – 3.36.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jan 18, 2022 |
| 2.43.0 – 2.48.0 | CommonJS | Aug 13, 2021 |

## Frequently asked

**Is simple-git ESM-only?**

simple-git@3.36.0 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. simple-git publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 3.0.1). require("simple-git") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "simple-git" works alongside it.

**Can I require simple-git?**

Yes. simple-git ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("simple-git") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.

**Does simple-git work in Bun?**

Yes. import "simple-git" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does simple-git ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. simple-git bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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