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load-esm

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Utility to dynamically load ESM modules in TypeScript CommonJS projects

// repository documentation

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# load-esm

**load-esm** is a tiny utility that lets CommonJS (CJS) TypeScript projects **dynamically import pure ESM packages** at runtime—without hacks like `eval()`.

It helps avoid errors like:

* `Error [ERR_REQUIRE_ESM]: require() of ES Module`
* `Error [ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED]: No "exports" main defined in ...`

---

## Installation

```bash
npm install load-esm
# or
yarn add load-esm
# or
pnpm add load-esm
```

> Works in CJS TypeScript projects. No config changes required.

---

## Quick start

```ts
// TypeScript (CJS project)
import { loadEsm } from "load-esm";

(async () => {
  const esmModule = await loadEsm("esm-module");
  // use esmModule...
})();
```

### With typings

```ts
import { loadEsm } from "load-esm";

(async () => {
  const esmModule = await loadEsm<typeof import("esm-module")>("esm-module");
  // esmModule is fully typed
})();
```

### Concrete example (pure ESM package)

```ts
import { loadEsm } from "load-esm";

(async () => {
  try {
    // Import a pure ESM package from a CommonJS TS project
    const { fileTypeFromFile } = await loadEsm<typeof import("file-type")>(
      "file-type"
    );

const type = await fileTypeFromFile("fixture.gif");
    console.log(type);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error("Error importing module:", error);
  }
})();
```

> Note: Because top‑level `await` isn’t available in CommonJS, examples use an async IIFE.

---

## API

```ts
function loadEsm<T = unknown>(name: string): Promise<T>
```

**Parameters**

* `name` — Package name or file path to import.

**Returns**

* `Promise<T>` resolving to the imported module namespace.

---

## How it works

In CJS TypeScript projects (`"module": "commonjs"`), the TS compiler transpiles dynamic `import()` to `require()`, which **breaks** when the target is a pure ESM package.

`load-esm` executes the `import()` **outside of TypeScript’s transpilation scope**, preserving native dynamic `import()` semantics at runtime. This keeps your code type‑safe while avoiding brittle workarounds (e.g., wrapping `import()` in `eval()`).

### What about Node.js ≥ 22.12?

Since Node.js 22.12, `require` can load **some** ESM modules, but there are [documented constraints](https://nodejs.org/api/modules.html#loading-ecmascript-modules-using-require). If your dependencies are compatible with that path, you might not need this utility. `load-esm` remains useful when:

* You’re on older Node.js versions that support `import()` (see Compatibility) but not the newer `require()` behavior.
* You want a single, consistent pattern that works across environments and avoids edge cases.

> If Node’s built‑in `require(esm)` works for your packages and version, feel free to use it.

---

## Compatibility

* **Node.js**: ≥ 13.2.0 (first version with native `import()` support)
* **TypeScript**: Fully typed; works in CJS projects.

---

## Troubleshooting

* **`ERR_REQUIRE_ESM`**: Ensure you’re using `load-esm(...)` to import the ESM dependency from CJS code.
* **`No "exports" main defined`**: Some packages only expose ESM entry points. Import them via `load-esm`.
* **Type declarations**: Use the generic form `loadEsm<typeof import("pkg")>("pkg")` for typed access.
* **Top‑level await**: Wrap usage in an async IIFE in CJS.

---

## License

[MIT](./LICENSE.txt)

---

### Changelog

See [Releases](https://github.com/Borewit/load-esm/releases).

---

### Acknowledgements

Inspired by common pain points when mixing CJS projects with modern ESM‑only libraries.

load-esm

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