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

> symbol-tree@3.2.4 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Turn any collection of objects into its own efficient tree or linked list using Symbol

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against symbol-tree@3.2.4.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 3.2.4 (Jun 12, 2019)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.2.4
- TypeScript types: @types/symbol-tree
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 70.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for symbol-tree@3.2.4

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

| Runtime | require("symbol-tree") | import "symbol-tree" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 symbol-tree

ES modules:

```js
import symbolTree from "symbol-tree";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const symbolTree = require("symbol-tree");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (18 versions; the newest 18 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.0 – 3.2.4 | CommonJS | Jul 14, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is symbol-tree ESM-only?**

symbol-tree@3.2.4 is a CommonJS package. symbol-tree ships CommonJS only. require("symbol-tree") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "symbol-tree" 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 symbol-tree with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import symbolTree from "symbol-tree" 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 symbol-tree work in Bun?**

Yes. import "symbol-tree" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does symbol-tree ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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