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

> yeoman-generator@8.4.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 6.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 5.10.0.

Rails-inspired generator system that provides scaffolding for your apps

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against yeoman-generator@8.4.0.

yeoman-generator dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (October 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.10.0, published Oct 21, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=12.10.0.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("yeoman-generator") 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 yeoman-generator@8.4.0 declares Node.js ^20.17.0 || >=22.9.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

yeoman-generator@8.4.0 declares engines "^20.17.0 || >=22.9.0", 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("yeoman-generator") 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 yeomanGenerator = await import("yeoman-generator"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^20.17.0 || >=22.9.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install yeoman-generator@5.10.0, the last CommonJS release (published Oct 21, 2023); it declares Node.js >=12.10.0.
4. yeoman-generator@8.4.0 declares engines "^20.17.0 || >=22.9.0", 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: 8.4.0 (Sep 7, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 5.10.0
- ESM-only since: 6.0.0 (Oct 11, 2023)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: ^20.17.0 || >=22.9.0
- Weekly downloads: 1.2M
- License: BSD-2-Clause

## Runtime test results for yeoman-generator@8.4.0

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

| Runtime | require("yeoman-generator") | import "yeoman-generator" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 yeoman-generator

ES modules:

```js
import * as yeomanGenerator from "yeoman-generator";
```

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 yeomanGenerator = require("yeoman-generator");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^20.17.0 || >=22.9.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const yeomanGenerator = await import("yeoman-generator");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=12.10.0):
// npm install yeoman-generator@5.10.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (147 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0.0 – 8.4.0 | ESM-only | Oct 11, 2023 |
| 4.4.0 – 5.10.0 | CommonJS | Dec 24, 2019 |

## Frequently asked

**Is yeoman-generator ESM-only?**

yeoman-generator@8.4.0 is ESM-only. yeoman-generator dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (October 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.10.0, published Oct 21, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=12.10.0.

**Which version of yeoman-generator still supports CommonJS / require()?**

5.10.0 is the last version of yeoman-generator with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=12.10.0. Install it with "npm install yeoman-generator@5.10.0". Every version from 6.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use yeoman-generator from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const yeomanGenerator = await import("yeoman-generator"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^20.17.0 || >=22.9.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("yeoman-generator") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin yeoman-generator@5.10.0 (declares Node.js >=12.10.0).

**Does yeoman-generator work in Bun?**

Yes. import "yeoman-generator" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does yeoman-generator ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. yeoman-generator bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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