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

> stylus@0.64.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Robust, expressive, and feature-rich CSS superset

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against stylus@0.64.0.

stylus ships CommonJS only. require("stylus") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=16. import "stylus" 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("stylus") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=16.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import stylus from "stylus"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/stylus

## Facts

- Latest: 0.64.0 (Oct 20, 2024)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 0.64.0
- TypeScript types: @types/stylus
- Node engines: >=16
- Weekly downloads: 2.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for stylus@0.64.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import stylus from "stylus";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const stylus = require("stylus");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (179 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.39.4 – 0.64.0 | CommonJS | Nov 3, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is stylus ESM-only?**

stylus@0.64.0 is a CommonJS package. stylus ships CommonJS only. require("stylus") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=16. import "stylus" 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 stylus with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import stylus from "stylus" 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 stylus work in Bun?**

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

**Does stylus ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/stylus".

## Links

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

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