# Is string.prototype.trimstart ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> string.prototype.trimstart@1.0.8 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

ES2019 spec-compliant String.prototype.trimStart shim.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against string.prototype.trimstart@1.0.8.

string.prototype.trimstart ships CommonJS only. require("string.prototype.trimstart") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4. import "string.prototype.trimstart" 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("string.prototype.trimstart") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import stringPrototypeTrimstart from "string.prototype.trimstart"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for string.prototype.trimstart; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 1.0.8 (Mar 21, 2024)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.0.8
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: >= 0.4
- Weekly downloads: 76.4M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for string.prototype.trimstart@1.0.8

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

| Runtime | require("string.prototype.trimstart") | import "string.prototype.trimstart" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 string.prototype.trimstart

ES modules:

```js
import stringPrototypeTrimstart from "string.prototype.trimstart";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const stringPrototypeTrimstart = require("string.prototype.trimstart");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (11 versions; the newest 11 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.1 – 1.0.8 | CommonJS | Dec 19, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is string.prototype.trimstart ESM-only?**

string.prototype.trimstart@1.0.8 is a CommonJS package. string.prototype.trimstart ships CommonJS only. require("string.prototype.trimstart") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4. import "string.prototype.trimstart" 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 string.prototype.trimstart with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import stringPrototypeTrimstart from "string.prototype.trimstart" 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 string.prototype.trimstart work in Bun?**

Yes. import "string.prototype.trimstart" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does string.prototype.trimstart ship TypeScript types?**

No. string.prototype.trimstart ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [string.prototype.trimstart on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/string.prototype.trimstart)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/es-shims/String.prototype.trimStart)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/string.prototype.trimstart/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/string.prototype.trimstart.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.