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

> tap-spec@5.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Formatted TAP output like Mocha's spec reporter

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against tap-spec@5.0.0.

tap-spec ships CommonJS only. require("tap-spec") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "tap-spec" 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("tap-spec") 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 tapSpec from "tap-spec"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for tap-spec; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.0 (Jun 5, 2018)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.0.0
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 36K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for tap-spec@5.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("tap-spec") | import "tap-spec" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 tap-spec

ES modules:

```js
import tapSpec from "tap-spec";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const tapSpec = require("tap-spec");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (29 versions; the newest 29 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.1 – 5.0.0 | CommonJS | Jan 2, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is tap-spec ESM-only?**

tap-spec@5.0.0 is a CommonJS package. tap-spec ships CommonJS only. require("tap-spec") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "tap-spec" 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 tap-spec with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import tapSpec from "tap-spec" 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 tap-spec work in Bun?**

Yes. import "tap-spec" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does tap-spec ship TypeScript types?**

No. tap-spec ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

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

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