# Is webpack-node-externals ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> webpack-node-externals@3.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Easily exclude node_modules in Webpack bundle

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against webpack-node-externals@3.0.0.

webpack-node-externals ships CommonJS only. require("webpack-node-externals") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6. import "webpack-node-externals" 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-node-externals") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import webpackNodeExternals from "webpack-node-externals"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/webpack-node-externals

## Facts

- Latest: 3.0.0 (Apr 21, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.0.0
- TypeScript types: @types/webpack-node-externals
- Node engines: >=6
- Weekly downloads: 9.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for webpack-node-externals@3.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("webpack-node-externals") | import "webpack-node-externals" |
|---|---|---|
| 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-node-externals

ES modules:

```js
import webpackNodeExternals from "webpack-node-externals";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const webpackNodeExternals = require("webpack-node-externals");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (27 versions; the newest 27 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 3.0.0 | CommonJS | Jan 27, 2016 |

## Frequently asked

**Is webpack-node-externals ESM-only?**

webpack-node-externals@3.0.0 is a CommonJS package. webpack-node-externals ships CommonJS only. require("webpack-node-externals") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6. import "webpack-node-externals" 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-node-externals with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import webpackNodeExternals from "webpack-node-externals" 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-node-externals work in Bun?**

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

**Does webpack-node-externals ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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