# Is webpack-dev-middleware ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> webpack-dev-middleware@8.3.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A development middleware for webpack

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against webpack-dev-middleware@8.3.0.

webpack-dev-middleware ships CommonJS only. require("webpack-dev-middleware") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 20.9.0. import "webpack-dev-middleware" 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("webpack-dev-middleware") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 20.9.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import webpackDevMiddleware from "webpack-dev-middleware"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 8.3.0 (Sep 3, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 8.3.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 20.9.0
- Weekly downloads: 21.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for webpack-dev-middleware@8.3.0

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

| Runtime | require("webpack-dev-middleware") | import "webpack-dev-middleware" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 webpack-dev-middleware

ES modules:

```js
import webpackDevMiddleware from "webpack-dev-middleware";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const webpackDevMiddleware = require("webpack-dev-middleware");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (126 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.2.0 – 8.3.0 | CommonJS | Aug 23, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is webpack-dev-middleware ESM-only?**

webpack-dev-middleware@8.3.0 is a CommonJS package. webpack-dev-middleware ships CommonJS only. require("webpack-dev-middleware") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 20.9.0. import "webpack-dev-middleware" 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 webpack-dev-middleware with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import webpackDevMiddleware from "webpack-dev-middleware" 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 webpack-dev-middleware work in Bun?**

Yes. import "webpack-dev-middleware" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does webpack-dev-middleware ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. webpack-dev-middleware bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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