# Is workbox-webpack-plugin ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> workbox-webpack-plugin@7.4.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A plugin for your Webpack build process, helping you generate a manifest of local files that workbox-sw should precache.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against workbox-webpack-plugin@7.4.1.

workbox-webpack-plugin ships CommonJS only. require("workbox-webpack-plugin") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0. import "workbox-webpack-plugin" 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("workbox-webpack-plugin") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import workboxWebpackPlugin from "workbox-webpack-plugin"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 7.4.1 (May 4, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 7.4.1
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 3.3M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for workbox-webpack-plugin@7.4.1

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

| Runtime | require("workbox-webpack-plugin") | import "workbox-webpack-plugin" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 workbox-webpack-plugin

ES modules:

```js
import workboxWebpackPlugin from "workbox-webpack-plugin";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const workboxWebpackPlugin = require("workbox-webpack-plugin");
```

## 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.0 – 7.4.1 | CommonJS | Jul 26, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is workbox-webpack-plugin ESM-only?**

workbox-webpack-plugin@7.4.1 is a CommonJS package. workbox-webpack-plugin ships CommonJS only. require("workbox-webpack-plugin") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0. import "workbox-webpack-plugin" 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 workbox-webpack-plugin with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import workboxWebpackPlugin from "workbox-webpack-plugin" 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 workbox-webpack-plugin work in Bun?**

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

**Does workbox-webpack-plugin ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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