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

> yargs@18.1.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 18.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 17.7.3.

yargs the modern, pirate-themed, successor to optimist.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against yargs@18.1.0.

yargs dropped its CommonJS build in 18.0.0 (May 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 17.7.3, published Jun 19, 2026; it declares support for Node.js >=12.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("yargs") 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@18.1.0 declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=23, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

yargs@18.1.0 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") 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 yargs = await import("yargs"). 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@17.7.3, the last CommonJS release (published Jun 19, 2026); it declares Node.js >=12.
4. yargs@18.1.0 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: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 18.1.0 (Jul 26, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 17.7.3
- ESM-only since: 18.0.0 (May 27, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=23
- Weekly downloads: 229.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for yargs@18.1.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import * as yargs from "yargs";
```

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 yargs = require("yargs");

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

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=12):
// npm install yargs@17.7.3
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (180 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 18.0.0 – 18.1.0 | ESM-only | May 27, 2025 |
| 16.0.0 – 17.7.3 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Sep 9, 2020 |
| 10.1.2 – 15.4.1 | CommonJS | Jan 17, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is yargs ESM-only?**

yargs@18.1.0 is ESM-only. yargs dropped its CommonJS build in 18.0.0 (May 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 17.7.3, published Jun 19, 2026; it declares support for Node.js >=12.

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

17.7.3 is the last version of yargs with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=12. Install it with "npm install yargs@17.7.3". Every version from 18.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const yargs = await import("yargs"). 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") 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@17.7.3 (declares Node.js >=12).

**Does yargs work in Bun?**

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

**Does yargs ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. yargs bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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