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

> tinyexec@1.3.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 1.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 0.3.2.

A minimal library for executing processes in Node

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against tinyexec@1.3.1.

tinyexec dropped its CommonJS build in 1.0.0 (March 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 0.3.2, published Dec 29, 2024.

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

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("tinyexec") 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 tinyexec = await import("tinyexec"). 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 tinyexec@0.3.2, the last CommonJS release (published Dec 29, 2024).
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 1.3.1 (Sep 3, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 0.3.2
- ESM-only since: 1.0.0 (Mar 18, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 119.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for tinyexec@1.3.1

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

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

ES modules:

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

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 tinyexec = require("tinyexec");

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

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install tinyexec@0.3.2
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (24 versions; the newest 24 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 1.3.1 | ESM-only | Mar 18, 2025 |
| 0.0.1 – 0.3.2 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jul 1, 2024 |

## Frequently asked

**Is tinyexec ESM-only?**

tinyexec@1.3.1 is ESM-only. tinyexec dropped its CommonJS build in 1.0.0 (March 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 0.3.2, published Dec 29, 2024.

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

0.3.2 is the last version of tinyexec with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install tinyexec@0.3.2". Every version from 1.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const tinyexec = await import("tinyexec"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("tinyexec") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin tinyexec@0.3.2.

**Does tinyexec work in Bun?**

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

**Does tinyexec ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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