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

> tslint@6.1.3 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

An extensible static analysis linter for the TypeScript language

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against tslint@6.1.3.

tslint ships CommonJS only. require("tslint") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4.8.0. import "tslint" 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.

**Deprecated:** TSLint has been deprecated in favor of ESLint. Please see https://github.com/palantir/tslint/issues/4534 for more information.

## What to do

1. require("tslint") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4.8.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import tslint from "tslint"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
4. This package is deprecated: TSLint has been deprecated in favor of ESLint. Please see https://github.com/palantir/tslint/issues/4534 for more information.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.1.3 (Jul 31, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 6.1.3
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=4.8.0
- Weekly downloads: 1.2M
- License: Apache-2.0

## Runtime test results for tslint@6.1.3

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import tslint from "tslint";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const tslint = require("tslint");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (126 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8.0 – 6.1.3 | CommonJS | Apr 21, 2016 |

## Frequently asked

**Is tslint ESM-only?**

tslint@6.1.3 is a CommonJS package. tslint ships CommonJS only. require("tslint") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4.8.0. import "tslint" 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 tslint with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import tslint from "tslint" 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 tslint work in Bun?**

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

**Does tslint ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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