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Is strip-json-comments ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Strip comments from JSON. Lets you use comments in your JSON files!

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against strip-json-comments@5.0.3. Markdown · JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 4.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 3.1.1

strip-json-comments dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (August 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.1.1, published Jul 12, 2020; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("strip-json-comments") 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-json-comments") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

What to do

  1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("strip-json-comments") 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 stripJsonComments = await import("strip-json-comments"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=14.16).
  3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install strip-json-comments@3.1.1, the last CommonJS release (published Jul 12, 2020); it declares Node.js >=8.
  4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
5.0.3 (Aug 8, 2025)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
3.1.1
ESM-only since
4.0.0 (Aug 19, 2021)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>=14.16
Weekly downloads
185.4M
License
MIT

Does strip-json-comments@5.0.3 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("strip-json-comments")import "strip-json-comments"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_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-json-comments

ES modules (import)

import * as stripJsonComments from "strip-json-comments";

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

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const stripJsonComments = require("strip-json-comments");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=14.16), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const stripJsonComments = await import("strip-json-comments");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install strip-json-comments@3.1.1

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 (20 versions; the newest 20 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
4.0.0 – 5.0.3ESM-onlyAug 19, 2021
0.1.0 – 3.1.1CommonJSNov 17, 2013

Frequently asked

Is strip-json-comments ESM-only?

strip-json-comments@5.0.3 is ESM-only. strip-json-comments dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (August 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.1.1, published Jul 12, 2020; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

Which version of strip-json-comments still supports CommonJS / require()?

3.1.1 is the last version of strip-json-comments with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install strip-json-comments@3.1.1". Every version from 4.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use strip-json-comments from a CommonJS file?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const stripJsonComments = await import("strip-json-comments"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=14.16). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("strip-json-comments") 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-json-comments@3.1.1 (declares Node.js >=8).

Does strip-json-comments work in Bun?

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

Does strip-json-comments ship TypeScript types?

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

Links

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