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

> webpack-dev-server@6.0.0 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

Serves a webpack app. Updates the browser on changes.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against webpack-dev-server@6.0.0.

webpack-dev-server publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 6.0.0). require("webpack-dev-server") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 22.15.0. import "webpack-dev-server" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("webpack-dev-server") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 22.15.0. import * as webpackDevServer from "webpack-dev-server" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.0.0 (Jul 3, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.0
- Native ESM since: 6.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 22.15.0
- Weekly downloads: 11.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for webpack-dev-server@6.0.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import * as webpackDevServer from "webpack-dev-server";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
const webpackDevServer = require("webpack-dev-server");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (196 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jul 3, 2026 |
| 3.8.0 – 5.2.6 | CommonJS | Aug 9, 2019 |

## Frequently asked

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

webpack-dev-server@6.0.0 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. webpack-dev-server publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 6.0.0). require("webpack-dev-server") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 22.15.0. import "webpack-dev-server" works alongside it.

**Can I require webpack-dev-server?**

Yes. webpack-dev-server ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("webpack-dev-server") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 22.15.0.

**Does webpack-dev-server work in Bun?**

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

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

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

## Links

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

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