Error [ERR_REQUIRE_ESM]: How to use es6 modules in node 12?

Question

From https://2ality.com/2019/04/nodejs-esm-impl.html Node 12 should support es6 modules; however, I just keep getting the error:

Question: How do I make a MVP of using es6 modules in node 12?

package.json

{
  "name": "dynamic-es6-mod",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "",
  "main": "src/index.mjs",
  "scripts": {
    "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1",
    "start": "node src/index.mjs"
  },
  "keywords": [],
  "author": "",
  "license": "ISC",
  "dependencies": {
    "globby": "^10.0.1"
  }
}

$ node -v
$ 12.6.0
$ npm run start


internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:821
  throw new ERR_REQUIRE_ESM(filename);
Error [ERR_REQUIRE_ESM]: Must use import to load ES Module: /Users/dev/dynamic-es6-mod/src/index.mjs
    at Object.Module._extensions..mjs (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:821:9)
    at Module.load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:643:32)
    at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:556:12)
    at Function.Module.runMain (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:839:10)
    at internal/main/run_main_module.js:17:11

Have you tried using Babel? – Nafeo Joy May 02 '20 at 11:55 — Nafeo Joy, May 02 '20 at 11:55

score 24 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 23 '19 at 02:19

24

All you have to do is adding the flag --experimental-modules that supports the new es6 import/export statement also the order is important as the following.

    "start": "node --experimental-modules src/index.mjs "

answered Sep 23 '19 at 02:19

abdulrahman alaa

472
3
9

7

This is not correct. Doesn't work with nodejs version 12 LTS and no mention of --experimental-modules in the nodejs documentation for version 12 or 14. I think this option was a feature in development that was removed. – Neutrino Jun 10 '20 at 13:25
2

Yes, was a feature before nodejs v12.00 as per this article https://medium.com/@nodejs/announcing-a-new-experimental-modules-1be8d2d6c2ff – abdulrahman alaa Jun 11 '20 at 17:00
4

Worked for me with version 12.16.1, IDK why it did not work for you @Neutrino – digender mahara Oct 11 '20 at 07:34

Michal Miky Jankovský · Answer 2 · 2020-09-26T12:09:26.643

14

In Node 14 I solved it with workaround.

source of workaround: https://github.com/eslint/eslint/issues/12319#issuecomment-535799024

short summary:

your root level package.json doesn't support ESM
subdirectory does - in src directory place package.json with { "type": "module" }

PS: ESLint team can't solve it easily right now, just because of core design... :(

edited Sep 26 '20 at 12:09

answered Sep 26 '20 at 12:02

Michal Miky Jankovský

1,635
26
27

score 13 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 23 '21 at 23:38

The official documentation for the module states, that v2 should be used with require().

There is a work around though. Instead being imported it can be loaded asynchronously:

const fetch = (...args) => import('node-fetch').then(({default: fetch}) => fetch(...args));

score 8 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 06 '21 at 13:35

8

You have to add this line of code in your package.json file "type" : "module" You will be able to use imports statements instead of require if I get your question correctly.

Your package.json will look as follows:

{
  "name": "dynamic-es6-mod",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "",
  "main": "src/index.mjs",
  "type": "module",
  "scripts": {
    "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1",
    "start": "node src/index.mjs"
  },
  "keywords": [],
  "author": "",
  "license": "ISC",
  "dependencies": {
    "globby": "^10.0.1"
  }
}

edited Mar 06 '21 at 13:35

karel

4,637
41
42
47

answered Sep 07 '20 at 10:09

crispengari

4,845
2
31
29

9

too bad this breaks all other require statements... – stackers Nov 04 '21 at 16:54

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Dec 04 '21 at 17:37

0

You can try with "jest-preset-angular": "11.0.0-rc.3".

It works in my case: Angular v13+ and node v16+.

answered Dec 04 '21 at 17:37

Dios Vo

1
1
1
1

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Dec 05 '21 at 06:10

0

I had a hell of a time with all this. I'm just posting my solution repo, in hopes it helps someone else.

This imports an ESM dependency (ora) into TypeScript without using babel. https://github.com/jason-henriksen/typescript-with-esm-no-babel-boilerplate

answered Dec 05 '21 at 06:10

Jason Henriksen

23
3

1

Hi, I think I am going through what you went through. I am unable to understand your solution. Can you please elaborate further please? Also, I haven't cloned your repo yet. Does that explains the solution? – Pramod Dec 30 '21 at 05:46

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered May 08 '22 at 17:51

0

Use previous or older version of your installed node module. It will work.

answered May 08 '22 at 17:51

Karthik S

1

1

Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please [edit] to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers [in the help center](/help/how-to-answer). – Community May 09 '22 at 13:31

score 0 · Answer 8 · edited Jun 01 '22 at 10:14

0

Go to package.json file and write "type":"module", above debug like this:

"name": "npmmodule",
"version": "1.0.0",
"main": "index.js",
"type": "module",

Use import instead of require:

import chalk from 'chalk';

console.log(chalk.blue("hello world"));

edited Jun 01 '22 at 10:14

Tyler2P

2,182
12
17
28

answered Jun 01 '22 at 09:35

Mubashir Massing

1
1

score -3 · Answer 9 · answered Jun 17 '20 at 10:20

-3

Try using npm's esm module which will support es6 (It can also be used in production).

answered Jun 17 '20 at 10:20

Sm Srikanth

1,549
1
8
9

1

Can you elaborate,please! – Forhad Jan 27 '21 at 10:49

score -3 · Answer 10 · answered May 10 '21 at 21:18

For Node.js:

Tell Node to ignore the error.

const Module = require('module')
const orig = Module._extensions['.js']
const fs = require('fs')
Module._extensions['.js'] = function (module, filename) {
  try {
    return orig(module, filename)
  } catch (e) {
    if (e.code === 'ERR_REQUIRE_ESM') {
      // From: https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/c24b74a7abec0848484671771d250cfd961f128e/lib/internal/modules/cjs/loader.js#L1237-L1238
      const content = fs.readFileSync(filename, 'utf8')
      module._compile(content, filename)
      // --
      return
    }
    throw e
  }
}

Use Babel to transpile on-the-fly.

require('@babel/register', {
  ignore: (f) => {
    // Don't ignore the package we want to transpile.
    if (f.match('semver-regex') return false
    // Prevent babel transpiling anything else in `node_modules`.
    return f.match('node_modules')
  },
  overrides: [{
    // Set preset to be used to transpile our ESM package.
    test: /semver\-regex/,
    presets: ['es2015'],
  }]
})

// Call the rest of your code.
require('./index.js')

For Webpack:

Do similar but with Babel loaders and without the Node require hook.

score -6 · Answer 11 · answered Jul 13 '21 at 06:00

-6

Just need to update node:

run: nvm install 15 nvm use 15

credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUkCszM2gvU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUkCszM2gvU

answered Jul 13 '21 at 06:00

Yair Biber

1
1

Error [ERR_REQUIRE_ESM]: How to use es6 modules in node 12?

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