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

> stylelint@17.15.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 17.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 16.26.1.

A mighty CSS linter that helps you avoid errors and enforce conventions.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against stylelint@17.15.0.

stylelint dropped its CommonJS build in 17.0.0 (January 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 16.26.1, published Nov 28, 2025; it declares support for Node.js >=18.12.0.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("stylelint") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and stylelint@17.15.0 declares Node.js >=20.19.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

stylelint@17.15.0 declares engines ">=20.19.0", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("stylelint") 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 stylelint = await import("stylelint"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install stylelint@16.26.1, the last CommonJS release (published Nov 28, 2025); it declares Node.js >=18.12.0.
4. stylelint@17.15.0 declares engines ">=20.19.0", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 17.15.0 (Sep 4, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 16.26.1
- ESM-only since: 17.0.0 (Jan 15, 2026)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.19.0
- Weekly downloads: 9.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for stylelint@17.15.0

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

| Runtime | require("stylelint") | import "stylelint" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 stylelint

ES modules:

```js
import * as stylelint from "stylelint";
```

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 stylelint = require("stylelint");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const stylelint = await import("stylelint");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=18.12.0):
// npm install stylelint@16.26.1
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (277 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 17.0.0 – 17.15.0 | ESM-only | Jan 15, 2026 |
| 16.0.1 – 16.26.1 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Dec 8, 2023 |

## Frequently asked

**Is stylelint ESM-only?**

stylelint@17.15.0 is ESM-only. stylelint dropped its CommonJS build in 17.0.0 (January 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 16.26.1, published Nov 28, 2025; it declares support for Node.js >=18.12.0.

**Which version of stylelint still supports CommonJS / require()?**

16.26.1 is the last version of stylelint with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=18.12.0. Install it with "npm install stylelint@16.26.1". Every version from 17.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use stylelint from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const stylelint = await import("stylelint"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("stylelint") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin stylelint@16.26.1 (declares Node.js >=18.12.0).

**Does stylelint work in Bun?**

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

**Does stylelint ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. stylelint bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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