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Fix Node.js "require is not defined", "Cannot use import statement" and ERR_REQUIRE_ESM

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Self-Hosting & Infra intermediate 7 min read $0.01 Updated 2026-10-20

Resolving Node module-system errors: type field, .mjs and .cjs extensions, require versus import, dynamic import, __dirname and __filename in ESM, JSON imports, default export interop, ERR_REQUIRE_ESM, and TypeScript module settings.

Node mixes two module systems. Learn which one your file uses from package.json type and extensions, convert require and import correctly, replace __dirname, and fix ERR_REQUIRE_ESM from ESM-only packages.

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#nodejs#esm#commonjs#modules#javascript

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