# Is spdx-expression-parse ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> spdx-expression-parse@5.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

parse SPDX license expressions

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against spdx-expression-parse@5.0.0.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.0 (Jul 16, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.0.0
- TypeScript types: @types/spdx-expression-parse
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 37.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for spdx-expression-parse@5.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("spdx-expression-parse") | import "spdx-expression-parse" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 spdx-expression-parse

ES modules:

```js
import spdxExpressionParse from "spdx-expression-parse";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const spdxExpressionParse = require("spdx-expression-parse");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (12 versions; the newest 12 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 5.0.0 | CommonJS | Aug 2, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is spdx-expression-parse ESM-only?**

spdx-expression-parse@5.0.0 is a CommonJS package. spdx-expression-parse ships CommonJS only. require("spdx-expression-parse") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "spdx-expression-parse" 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 spdx-expression-parse with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import spdxExpressionParse from "spdx-expression-parse" 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 spdx-expression-parse work in Bun?**

Yes. import "spdx-expression-parse" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does spdx-expression-parse ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/spdx-expression-parse".

## Links

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

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