How to determine whether a file has been run directly inside ES module

Node.js Version:
12.6.0
OS:
Windows
Scope (install, code, runtime, meta, other?):
runtime, documentation

Current documentation says:

Accessing the main module:

When a file is run directly from Node.js, require.main is set to its module. That means that it is possible to determine whether a file has been run directly by testing require.main === module.

Differences Between ES Modules and CommonJS:

These CommonJS variables are not available in ES modules.

The new challege is - how to determine whether a file has been run directly inside ES module?

the concept of a main is mostly considered a mistake, so we haven't exposed such a thing to esm. It's generally considered best practice to have separate files for your bin and lib functionality.

@sosoba

ping @sosoba

@sosoba

@sosoba , were you able to follow @devsnek 's suggestion? or it is still an issue?

@PoojaDurgad

Hi @PoojaDurgad.

Temporary I using:

import {pathToFileURL} from 'node:url';

if ( import.meta.url === pathToFileURL(process.argv[1]).href) {
    // Loaded as main module
}

but finally community proposing import.meta.main which looking god.
Please merge with nodejs/node#49440

@sosoba

@sosoba , thanks for the information. as nodejs/node#49440 is still open and under discussion, let us wait to its resolution

It seems there has been no activity on this issue for a while, and it is being closed in 30 days. If you believe this issue should remain open, please leave a comment.
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Make sure to look at the README file for the most updated links.

It seems there has been no activity on this issue for a while, and it is being closed. If you believe this issue should remain open, please leave a comment.
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Make sure to look at the README file for the most updated links.

It works now! nodejs/node#57804

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How to determine whether a file has been run directly inside ES module #2065

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How to determine whether a file has been run directly inside ES module #2065

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devsnek commented on Jul 19, 2019

gireeshpunathil commented on Dec 21, 2019

PoojaDurgad commented on Sep 16, 2020

sosoba commented on Sep 16, 2020

PoojaDurgad commented on Sep 19, 2020

github-actions commented on Oct 27, 2024

github-actions commented on Nov 26, 2024

sosoba commented on Aug 12, 2025

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