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Is typedoc ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Create api documentation for TypeScript projects.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against typedoc@0.28.20. Markdown · JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 0.27.0 — last CommonJS version is 0.26.11

typedoc dropped its CommonJS build in 0.27.0 (November 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 0.26.11, published Nov 1, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >= 18.

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

What to do

  1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("typedoc") 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 typedoc = await import("typedoc"). 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 typedoc@0.26.11, the last CommonJS release (published Nov 1, 2024); it declares Node.js >= 18.
  4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
0.28.20 (Jul 5, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
0.26.11
ESM-only since
0.27.0 (Nov 27, 2024)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>= 18
Weekly downloads
4.5M
License
Apache-2.0

Does typedoc@0.28.20 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("typedoc")import "typedoc"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_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 typedoc

ES modules (import)

import * as typedoc from "typedoc";

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const typedoc = require("typedoc");

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

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >= 18):
// npm install typedoc@0.26.11

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (256 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
0.27.0 – 0.28.20ESM-onlyNov 27, 2024
0.24.6 – 0.26.11CommonJSApr 24, 2023

Frequently asked

Is typedoc ESM-only?

typedoc@0.28.20 is ESM-only. typedoc dropped its CommonJS build in 0.27.0 (November 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 0.26.11, published Nov 1, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >= 18.

Which version of typedoc still supports CommonJS / require()?

0.26.11 is the last version of typedoc with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >= 18. Install it with "npm install typedoc@0.26.11". Every version from 0.27.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use typedoc from a CommonJS file?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const typedoc = await import("typedoc"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("typedoc") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin typedoc@0.26.11 (declares Node.js >= 18).

Does typedoc work in Bun?

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

Does typedoc ship TypeScript types?

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

Links

Other esm-only packages

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