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

> webpack-hot-middleware@2.26.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Webpack hot reloading you can attach to your own server

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against webpack-hot-middleware@2.26.1.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 2.26.1 (Feb 1, 2024)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.26.1
- TypeScript types: @types/webpack-hot-middleware
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 5.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for webpack-hot-middleware@2.26.1

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import webpackHotMiddleware from "webpack-hot-middleware";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const webpackHotMiddleware = require("webpack-hot-middleware");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (66 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1.0 – 2.26.1 | CommonJS | Sep 15, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

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

webpack-hot-middleware@2.26.1 is a CommonJS package. webpack-hot-middleware ships CommonJS only. require("webpack-hot-middleware") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "webpack-hot-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-hot-middleware with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import webpackHotMiddleware from "webpack-hot-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-hot-middleware work in Bun?**

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

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

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/webpack-hot-middleware".

## Links

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

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