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

> typescript@7.0.2 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

TypeScript is a language for application scale JavaScript development

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against typescript@7.0.2.

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/typescript

## Facts

- Latest: 7.0.2 (Jul 8, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 7.0.2
- TypeScript types: @types/typescript
- Node engines: >=16.20.0
- Weekly downloads: 244.7M
- License: Apache-2.0

## Runtime test results for typescript@7.0.2

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:

```js
import typescript from "typescript";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (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

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

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