# Is socks-proxy-agent ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> socks-proxy-agent@10.1.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 9.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 8.0.5.

A SOCKS proxy `http.Agent` implementation for HTTP and HTTPS

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against socks-proxy-agent@10.1.0.

socks-proxy-agent dropped its CommonJS build in 9.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 8.0.5, published Dec 7, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >= 14.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("socks-proxy-agent") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and socks-proxy-agent@10.1.0 declares Node.js >= 20, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

socks-proxy-agent@10.1.0 declares engines ">= 20", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("socks-proxy-agent") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const socksProxyAgent = await import("socks-proxy-agent"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 20).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install socks-proxy-agent@8.0.5, the last CommonJS release (published Dec 7, 2024); it declares Node.js >= 14.
4. socks-proxy-agent@10.1.0 declares engines ">= 20", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 10.1.0 (Jun 8, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 8.0.5
- ESM-only since: 9.0.0 (Mar 11, 2026)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 20
- Weekly downloads: 50.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for socks-proxy-agent@10.1.0

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

| Runtime | require("socks-proxy-agent") | import "socks-proxy-agent" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | 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 socks-proxy-agent

ES modules:

```js
import * as socksProxyAgent from "socks-proxy-agent";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const socksProxyAgent = require("socks-proxy-agent");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>= 20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const socksProxyAgent = await import("socks-proxy-agent");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >= 14):
// npm install socks-proxy-agent@8.0.5
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (33 versions; the newest 33 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0.0 – 10.1.0 | ESM-only | Mar 11, 2026 |
| 0.0.1 – 8.0.5 | CommonJS | Jul 11, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is socks-proxy-agent ESM-only?**

socks-proxy-agent@10.1.0 is ESM-only. socks-proxy-agent dropped its CommonJS build in 9.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 8.0.5, published Dec 7, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >= 14.

**Which version of socks-proxy-agent still supports CommonJS / require()?**

8.0.5 is the last version of socks-proxy-agent with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >= 14. Install it with "npm install socks-proxy-agent@8.0.5". Every version from 9.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use socks-proxy-agent from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const socksProxyAgent = await import("socks-proxy-agent"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("socks-proxy-agent") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin socks-proxy-agent@8.0.5 (declares Node.js >= 14).

**Does socks-proxy-agent work in Bun?**

Yes. import "socks-proxy-agent" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does socks-proxy-agent ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. socks-proxy-agent bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [socks-proxy-agent on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/socks-proxy-agent)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/TooTallNate/proxy-agents)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/socks-proxy-agent/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/socks-proxy-agent.json)

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