# Is ts-node-dev ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> ts-node-dev@2.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Compiles your TS app and restarts when files are modified.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against ts-node-dev@2.0.0.

ts-node-dev ships CommonJS only. require("ts-node-dev") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.8.0. import "ts-node-dev" 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("ts-node-dev") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.8.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import tsNodeDev from "ts-node-dev"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for ts-node-dev; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 2.0.0 (May 26, 2022)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.0.0
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: >=0.8.0
- Weekly downloads: 2.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for ts-node-dev@2.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("ts-node-dev") | import "ts-node-dev" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ts-node-dev

ES modules:

```js
import tsNodeDev from "ts-node-dev";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const tsNodeDev = require("ts-node-dev");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (11 versions; the newest 11 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 2.0.0 | CommonJS | Oct 17, 2020 |

## Frequently asked

**Is ts-node-dev ESM-only?**

ts-node-dev@2.0.0 is a CommonJS package. ts-node-dev ships CommonJS only. require("ts-node-dev") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.8.0. import "ts-node-dev" 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 ts-node-dev with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import tsNodeDev from "ts-node-dev" 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 ts-node-dev work in Bun?**

Yes. import "ts-node-dev" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does ts-node-dev ship TypeScript types?**

No. ts-node-dev ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [ts-node-dev on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/ts-node-dev)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/whitecolor/ts-node-dev)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/ts-node-dev/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/ts-node-dev.json)

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