# Is strip-indent ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> strip-indent@4.1.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 4.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 3.0.0.

Strip leading whitespace from each line in a string

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against strip-indent@4.1.1.

strip-indent dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (May 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.0.0, published Apr 17, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("strip-indent") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("strip-indent") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("strip-indent") 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 stripIndent = await import("strip-indent"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install strip-indent@3.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 17, 2019); it declares Node.js >=8.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 4.1.1 (Oct 12, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 3.0.0
- ESM-only since: 4.0.0 (May 3, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=12
- Weekly downloads: 62.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for strip-indent@4.1.1

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

| Runtime | require("strip-indent") | import "strip-indent" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 strip-indent

ES modules:

```js
import * as stripIndent from "strip-indent";
```

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 stripIndent = require("strip-indent");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=12), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const stripIndent = await import("strip-indent");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install strip-indent@3.0.0
```

## 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0.0 – 4.1.1 | ESM-only | May 3, 2021 |
| 0.1.0 – 3.0.0 | CommonJS | Mar 29, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is strip-indent ESM-only?**

strip-indent@4.1.1 is ESM-only. strip-indent dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (May 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.0.0, published Apr 17, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

**Which version of strip-indent still supports CommonJS / require()?**

3.0.0 is the last version of strip-indent with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install strip-indent@3.0.0". Every version from 4.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use strip-indent from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const stripIndent = await import("strip-indent"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("strip-indent") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin strip-indent@3.0.0 (declares Node.js >=8).

**Does strip-indent work in Bun?**

Yes. import "strip-indent" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does strip-indent ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. strip-indent bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [strip-indent on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/strip-indent)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/sindresorhus/strip-indent)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/strip-indent/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/strip-indent.json)

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