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

> watchify@4.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

watch mode for browserify builds

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against watchify@4.0.0.

watchify ships CommonJS only. require("watchify") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 8.10.0. import "watchify" 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("watchify") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 8.10.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import watchify from "watchify"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/watchify

## Facts

- Latest: 4.0.0 (Jan 28, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 4.0.0
- TypeScript types: @types/watchify
- Node engines: >= 8.10.0
- Weekly downloads: 431K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for watchify@4.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("watchify") | import "watchify" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 watchify

ES modules:

```js
import watchify from "watchify";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (70 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5.3 – 4.0.0 | CommonJS | Jan 21, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is watchify ESM-only?**

watchify@4.0.0 is a CommonJS package. watchify ships CommonJS only. require("watchify") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 8.10.0. import "watchify" 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 watchify with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import watchify from "watchify" 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 watchify work in Bun?**

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

**Does watchify ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/watchify".

## Links

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

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