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

Native-ESM powered web dev build tool

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against vite@8.2.2. Markdown · JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 7.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 6.4.3

vite dropped its CommonJS build in 7.0.0 (June 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 6.4.3, published Jun 1, 2026; it declares support for Node.js ^18.0.0 || ^20.0.0 || >=22.0.0.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("vite") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and vite@8.2.2 declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

vite@8.2.2 declares engines "^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

What to do

  1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("vite") 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 vite = await import("vite"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0).
  3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install vite@6.4.3, the last CommonJS release (published Jun 1, 2026); it declares Node.js ^18.0.0 || ^20.0.0 || >=22.0.0.
  4. vite@8.2.2 declares engines "^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
  5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
8.2.2 (Aug 20, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
6.4.3
ESM-only since
7.0.0 (Jun 24, 2025)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0
Weekly downloads
158.6M
License
MIT

Does vite@8.2.2 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("vite")import "vite"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_REQUIRE_ESM✗ failsSyntaxError
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 vite

ES modules (import)

import * as vite from "vite";

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 vite = require("vite");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const vite = await import("vite");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js ^18.0.0 || ^20.0.0 || >=22.0.0):
// npm install vite@6.4.3

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 (429 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
7.0.1 – 8.2.2ESM-onlyJul 3, 2025

Frequently asked

Is vite ESM-only?

vite@8.2.2 is ESM-only. vite dropped its CommonJS build in 7.0.0 (June 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 6.4.3, published Jun 1, 2026; it declares support for Node.js ^18.0.0 || ^20.0.0 || >=22.0.0.

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

6.4.3 is the last version of vite with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js ^18.0.0 || ^20.0.0 || >=22.0.0. Install it with "npm install vite@6.4.3". Every version from 7.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use vite from a CommonJS file?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const vite = await import("vite"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("vite") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin vite@6.4.3 (declares Node.js ^18.0.0 || ^20.0.0 || >=22.0.0).

Does vite work in Bun?

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

Does vite ship TypeScript types?

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

Links

Other esm-only packages

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