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

> smart-buffer@4.2.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

smart-buffer is a Buffer wrapper that adds automatic read & write offset tracking, string operations, data insertions, and more.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against smart-buffer@4.2.0.

smart-buffer ships CommonJS only. require("smart-buffer") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6.0.0. import "smart-buffer" 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("smart-buffer") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import smartBuffer from "smart-buffer"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 4.2.0 (Aug 7, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 4.2.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 6.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 39.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for smart-buffer@4.2.0

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

| Runtime | require("smart-buffer") | import "smart-buffer" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 smart-buffer

ES modules:

```js
import smartBuffer from "smart-buffer";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const smartBuffer = require("smart-buffer");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (31 versions; the newest 31 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 4.2.0 | CommonJS | Nov 3, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is smart-buffer ESM-only?**

smart-buffer@4.2.0 is a CommonJS package. smart-buffer ships CommonJS only. require("smart-buffer") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6.0.0. import "smart-buffer" 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 smart-buffer with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import smartBuffer from "smart-buffer" 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 smart-buffer work in Bun?**

Yes. import "smart-buffer" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does smart-buffer ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. smart-buffer bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

---

For scripts and AI agents: any package is at https://canirequire.com/package/<name>/index.md (Markdown) or https://canirequire.com/package/<name>.json (JSON); the site index is https://canirequire.com/llms.txt. Fetch the URL directly; no search needed.