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

> vite@8.2.2 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 7.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 6.4.3.

Native-ESM powered web dev build tool

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against vite@8.2.2.

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.

## Facts

- 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

## Runtime test results for vite@8.2.2

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

| Runtime | require("vite") | import "vite" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | fails (SyntaxError) |
| 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:

```js
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:

```js
// 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 (429 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 7.0.1 – 8.2.2 | ESM-only | Jul 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

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

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