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Is string_decoder ESM-only? Can you require() it?

The string_decoder module from Node core

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against string_decoder@1.3.0. Markdown · JSON

CommonJS CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test

string_decoder ships CommonJS only. require("string_decoder") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "string_decoder" 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_decoder") 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 stringDecoder from "string_decoder"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
  3. TypeScript: no types are available for string_decoder; declare the module yourself if you need them.
Latest
1.3.0 (Aug 7, 2019)
Module format
CommonJS
Last CommonJS version
1.3.0
TypeScript types
None
Node engines
not declared
Weekly downloads
227.8M
License
MIT

Does string_decoder@1.3.0 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("string_decoder")import "string_decoder"
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_decoder

ES modules (import)

import stringDecoder from "string_decoder";

Named imports from a CommonJS package only work when Node.js can statically detect them. If a named import fails, use the default import and destructure.

CommonJS (require)

const stringDecoder = require("string_decoder");

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (14 versions; the newest 14 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
0.0.0 – 1.3.0CommonJSDec 3, 2013

Frequently asked

Is string_decoder ESM-only?

string_decoder@1.3.0 is a CommonJS package. string_decoder ships CommonJS only. require("string_decoder") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "string_decoder" 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_decoder with ES module syntax?

Yes. import stringDecoder from "string_decoder" 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_decoder work in Bun?

Yes. import "string_decoder" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does string_decoder ship TypeScript types?

No. string_decoder ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

Links

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