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Is typescript ESM-only? Can you require() it?
TypeScript is a language for application scale JavaScript development
Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against typescript@7.0.2. Markdown · JSON
CommonJS CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test
typescript ships CommonJS only. require("typescript") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=16.20.0. import "typescript" 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
- require("typescript") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=16.20.0.
- From ES modules use the default import: import typescript from "typescript"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
- TypeScript: npm install -D @types/typescript
Does typescript@7.0.2 actually load? Runtime test results
Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("typescript") from a CommonJS file and import "typescript" from an ES module.
| Runtime | require("typescript") | import "typescript" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 typescript
ES modules (import)
import typescript from "typescript";Named imports from a CommonJS package only work when Node.js can statically detect them. If a named import fails, use the default import and destructure.
CommonJS (require)
const typescript = require("typescript");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 (169 versions; the newest 60 shown).
| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0.7 – 7.0.2 | CommonJS | Feb 10, 2021 |
Frequently asked
Is typescript ESM-only?
typescript@7.0.2 is a CommonJS package. typescript ships CommonJS only. require("typescript") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=16.20.0. import "typescript" 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 typescript with ES module syntax?
Yes. import typescript from "typescript" 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 typescript work in Bun?
Yes. import "typescript" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.
Does typescript ship TypeScript types?
Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/typescript".
Links
Other commonjs packages
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- readable-stream 4.7.0CommonJS