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

> svelte@5.57.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 4.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 3.59.2.

Cybernetically enhanced web apps

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against svelte@5.57.0.

svelte dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (June 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.59.2, published Jun 20, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >= 8.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("svelte") 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("svelte") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("svelte") 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 svelte = await import("svelte"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install svelte@3.59.2, the last CommonJS release (published Jun 20, 2023); it declares Node.js >= 8.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.57.0 (Aug 28, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 3.59.2
- ESM-only since: 4.0.0 (Jun 22, 2023)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 4.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for svelte@5.57.0

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

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

ES modules:

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

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 svelte = require("svelte");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const svelte = await import("svelte");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >= 8):
// npm install svelte@3.59.2
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (766 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.47.1 – 5.57.0 | ESM-only | Jan 19, 2026 |

## Frequently asked

**Is svelte ESM-only?**

svelte@5.57.0 is ESM-only. svelte dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (June 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.59.2, published Jun 20, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >= 8.

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

3.59.2 is the last version of svelte with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >= 8. Install it with "npm install svelte@3.59.2". Every version from 4.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const svelte = await import("svelte"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("svelte") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin svelte@3.59.2 (declares Node.js >= 8).

**Does svelte work in Bun?**

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

**Does svelte ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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