# Is yargs-parser ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> yargs-parser@22.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 22.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 21.1.1.

the mighty option parser used by yargs

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against yargs-parser@22.0.0.

yargs-parser dropped its CommonJS build in 22.0.0 (May 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 21.1.1, published Aug 4, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=12.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("yargs-parser") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and yargs-parser@22.0.0 declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=23, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

yargs-parser@22.0.0 declares engines "^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=23", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("yargs-parser") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const yargsParser = await import("yargs-parser"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=23).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install yargs-parser@21.1.1, the last CommonJS release (published Aug 4, 2022); it declares Node.js >=12.
4. yargs-parser@22.0.0 declares engines "^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=23", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/yargs-parser

## Facts

- Latest: 22.0.0 (May 26, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 21.1.1
- ESM-only since: 22.0.0 (May 26, 2025)
- TypeScript types: @types/yargs-parser
- Node engines: ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=23
- Weekly downloads: 178.8M
- License: ISC

## Runtime test results for yargs-parser@22.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("yargs-parser") | import "yargs-parser" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | fails (Error) |
| 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 yargs-parser

ES modules:

```js
import * as yargsParser from "yargs-parser";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const yargsParser = require("yargs-parser");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=23), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const yargsParser = await import("yargs-parser");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=12):
// npm install yargs-parser@21.1.1
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (71 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 22.0.0 | ESM-only | May 26, 2025 |
| 19.0.0 – 21.1.1 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Aug 9, 2020 |
| 4.0.0 – 18.1.3 | CommonJS | Sep 26, 2016 |

## Frequently asked

**Is yargs-parser ESM-only?**

yargs-parser@22.0.0 is ESM-only. yargs-parser dropped its CommonJS build in 22.0.0 (May 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 21.1.1, published Aug 4, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=12.

**Which version of yargs-parser still supports CommonJS / require()?**

21.1.1 is the last version of yargs-parser with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=12. Install it with "npm install yargs-parser@21.1.1". Every version from 22.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use yargs-parser from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const yargsParser = await import("yargs-parser"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=23). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("yargs-parser") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin yargs-parser@21.1.1 (declares Node.js >=12).

**Does yargs-parser work in Bun?**

Yes. import "yargs-parser" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does yargs-parser ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/yargs-parser".

## Links

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

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