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

> yosay@3.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 3.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 2.0.2.

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Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against yosay@3.0.0.

yosay dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (October 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.0.2, published Mar 25, 2018; it declares support for Node.js >=4.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("yosay") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("yosay") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("yosay") 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 yosay = await import("yosay"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install yosay@2.0.2, the last CommonJS release (published Mar 25, 2018); it declares Node.js >=4.
4. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/yosay

## Facts

- Latest: 3.0.0 (Oct 27, 2023)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 2.0.2
- ESM-only since: 3.0.0 (Oct 27, 2023)
- TypeScript types: @types/yosay
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 577K
- License: BSD-2-Clause

## Runtime test results for yosay@3.0.0

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

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

ES modules:

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

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 yosay = require("yosay");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const yosay = await import("yosay");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=4):
// npm install yosay@2.0.2
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (18 versions; the newest 18 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0.0 | ESM-only | Oct 27, 2023 |
| 0.1.0 – 2.0.2 | CommonJS | May 9, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is yosay ESM-only?**

yosay@3.0.0 is ESM-only. yosay dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (October 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.0.2, published Mar 25, 2018; it declares support for Node.js >=4.

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

2.0.2 is the last version of yosay with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=4. Install it with "npm install yosay@2.0.2". Every version from 3.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const yosay = await import("yosay"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("yosay") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin yosay@2.0.2 (declares Node.js >=4).

**Does yosay work in Bun?**

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

**Does yosay ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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