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

> tar-stream@3.2.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

tar-stream is a streaming tar parser and generator and nothing else. It operates purely using streams which means you can easily extract/parse tarballs without ever hitting the file system.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against tar-stream@3.2.1.

tar-stream ships CommonJS only. require("tar-stream") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "tar-stream" 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("tar-stream") 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 tarStream from "tar-stream"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 3.2.1 (Aug 25, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.2.1
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 69.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for tar-stream@3.2.1

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

| Runtime | require("tar-stream") | import "tar-stream" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 tar-stream

ES modules:

```js
import tarStream from "tar-stream";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const tarStream = require("tar-stream");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (67 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.2.4 – 3.2.1 | CommonJS | Jan 6, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is tar-stream ESM-only?**

tar-stream@3.2.1 is a CommonJS package. tar-stream ships CommonJS only. require("tar-stream") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "tar-stream" 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 tar-stream with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import tarStream from "tar-stream" 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 tar-stream work in Bun?**

Yes. import "tar-stream" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does tar-stream ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. tar-stream bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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