microsoft/TypeScript

False positive on destructured `require` is `verbatimModuleSyntax` and `module` is `preserve`

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#63,696 opened on Jul 30, 2026

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Description

🔎 Search Terms

verbatimModuleSyntax destructure

🕗 Version & Regression Information

  • This changed between versions 5.5 and 5.6.

⏯ Playground Link

https://www.typescriptlang.org/play/?moduleResolution=99&target=99&module=199&verbatimModuleSyntax=true&filetype=js#code/PQgEB4CcFMDNpgOwMbVAFwJ4AdoGcBeAIkQHsATaI0YAPgCh7lTE91QBvUGAQ3IDEAlgBs0AX1AFu0AI4BXQTAAUAcjKUAXLDwqAlIwC2FOaIB00AB7ZSkdHknS+Q0fSA

💻 Code

// file.cjs
const { readFile } = require('node:fs')

// tsconfig.json
{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "checkJs": true,
    "module": "preserve",
    "noEmit": true,
    "skipLibCheck": true,
    "target": "esnext",
    "types": ["node"],
    "verbatimModuleSyntax": true,
  }
}

🙁 Actual behavior

When verbatimModuleSyntax is enabled and module is set to preserve, TypeScript disallows destructuring of a required module in CommonJS JavaScript.

$ tsc

changed 1 package in 544ms
file.cjs:1:9 - error TS1293: ESM syntax is not allowed in a CommonJS module when 'module' is set to 'preserve'.

1 const { readFile } = require('node:fs')
          ~~~~~~~~


Found 1 error in file.cjs:1

🙂 Expected behavior

No errors

Additional information about the issue

I could not reproduce this in the playground, because ATA is broken.

Contributor guide

Research direction
Investigate why TypeScript reports TS1293 for `const { readFile } = require('node:fs')`. This is likely a false positive when `verbatimModuleSyntax` and `module: preserve` are set. Search the TypeScript compiler source for 'TS1293' to find the error reporting location. Then examine how the checker determines whether a file is ESM or CommonJS and how it identifies import like syntax. Specifically, look at `isExternalModule` or `isESMFlag` logic and how destructuring assignments from `require` are handled. Create a minimal test case and run the compiler tests to confirm the fix.
Tech stack
typescript
Domain
compilers
Issue type
Bug
DifficultyEstimated implementation difficulty for a new contributor, from 1 for very small changes to 5 for expert-level work.
4
Estimated timeA rough time range for an experienced contributor to investigate, implement, test, and prepare a pull request.
3-5 days
Activity statusHow available the issue appears right now: fresh, active, stale, blocked, or waiting on maintainer input.
Active
ClarityHow clearly the issue explains the expected change, acceptance criteria, and next step.
Clear
Prerequisites
GitNode.js
Newbie friendlinessA 1-100 score estimating how approachable this issue is for first-time contributors.
25