# Is unist-util-visit-parents ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> unist-util-visit-parents@6.0.2 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 4.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 3.1.1.

unist utility to recursively walk over nodes, with ancestral information

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against unist-util-visit-parents@6.0.2.

unist-util-visit-parents dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (April 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.1.1, published Oct 19, 2020.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("unist-util-visit-parents") 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("unist-util-visit-parents") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("unist-util-visit-parents") 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 unistUtilVisitParents = await import("unist-util-visit-parents"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports.
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install unist-util-visit-parents@3.1.1, the last CommonJS release (published Oct 19, 2020).
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.0.2 (Oct 16, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 3.1.1
- ESM-only since: 4.0.0 (Apr 19, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 57.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for unist-util-visit-parents@6.0.2

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("unist-util-visit-parents") from a CommonJS file and import "unist-util-visit-parents" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("unist-util-visit-parents") | import "unist-util-visit-parents" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_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 unist-util-visit-parents

ES modules:

```js
import * as unistUtilVisitParents from "unist-util-visit-parents";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const unistUtilVisitParents = require("unist-util-visit-parents");

// Any Node.js version the package supports, from an async function:
async function main() {
  const unistUtilVisitParents = await import("unist-util-visit-parents");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install unist-util-visit-parents@3.1.1
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (25 versions; the newest 25 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0.0 – 6.0.2 | ESM-only | Apr 19, 2021 |
| 1.0.0 – 3.1.1 | CommonJS | Mar 25, 2016 |

## Frequently asked

**Is unist-util-visit-parents ESM-only?**

unist-util-visit-parents@6.0.2 is ESM-only. unist-util-visit-parents dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (April 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.1.1, published Oct 19, 2020.

**Which version of unist-util-visit-parents still supports CommonJS / require()?**

3.1.1 is the last version of unist-util-visit-parents with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install unist-util-visit-parents@3.1.1". Every version from 4.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use unist-util-visit-parents from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const unistUtilVisitParents = await import("unist-util-visit-parents"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("unist-util-visit-parents") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin unist-util-visit-parents@3.1.1.

**Does unist-util-visit-parents work in Bun?**

Yes. import "unist-util-visit-parents" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does unist-util-visit-parents ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. unist-util-visit-parents bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [unist-util-visit-parents on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/unist-util-visit-parents)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/syntax-tree/unist-util-visit-parents)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/unist-util-visit-parents/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/unist-util-visit-parents.json)

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