unescape-js

library1.1.4jsnpmunverified

unescape-js is a lightweight JavaScript utility designed to convert strings containing JavaScript and Python-style escape sequences back into their literal characters. This includes standard JavaScript escapes like `\n`, `\t`, Unicode escapes such as `\u00A9` for copyright, and ES2015 Unicode code point escapes like `\u{1F604}`. It also supports Python-style Unicode character escapes (`\UXXXXXXXX`). The current stable version is 1.1.4, though the package has not seen updates for approximately six years, indicating an abandoned or extremely low-maintenance status. A key differentiator is its robust handling of various octal escape sequence nuances, which was significantly improved in earlier versions to prevent misinterpretation of single, double, and three-digit octal codes, including those starting with `\0` and sequences with non-octal digits.

serialization

npm install unescape-js

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · UNESCAPE-JS

unescape-js

serializationjavascriptv1.1.4

Install

—

Import

—

Disk

—

Pass rate

0/ 6

Env Coverage0 / 6

glibc

18–22

musl

18–22

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v? · npm install

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

node 18–226 runs

build_error

glibc

node 18–226 runs

build_error

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

unescapeJs

✓ const unescapeJs = require('unescape-js');

✗ import unescapeJs from 'unescape-js';

The library primarily exposes a CommonJS default export. Direct ESM import via `import ... from 'pkg'` may lead to undefined behavior or require specific bundler configurations for interoperability. TypeScript definitions confirm a CommonJS default export.

Demonstrates how to import and use `unescapeJs` to convert various JavaScript and Python-style escape sequences into their literal characters, including newlines, tabs, and different Unicode formats.

const unescapeJs = require('unescape-js'); // Basic string with a newline escape console.log(unescapeJs('Hello,\nworld!')); // Expected: Hello, // world! // Unicode character escape console.log(unescapeJs('Copyright \u00A9 2024')); // Expected: Copyright © 2024 // ES2015 Unicode code point escape (emoji) console.log(unescapeJs('Smile: \u{1F604}')); // Expected: Smile: 😄 // Python-style Unicode escape console.log(unescapeJs('High five: \U0001F590')); // Expected: High five: ✋ // Complex example with various escapes const escapedString = 'This is a test.\tNew line after tab: \n\rAnd a carriage return.\u{1F4A9}'; console.log(unescapeJs(escapedString)); // Expected: This is a test. New line after tab: // And a carriage return.💩

Debug

Known issues

gotchaPrior to version 1.0.8, the library improperly parsed several forms of octal escape sequences, leading to incorrect unescaping results for `\017`, `\5`, `\72`, and octal sequences containing non-octal digits like `\019`.

fix

Upgrade to `unescape-js@1.0.8` or newer to ensure correct handling of octal escape sequences.

affects: <1.0.8

gotchaVersion 1.1.3 of the package incorrectly listed `@babel` packages as regular `dependencies` instead of `devDependencies`, leading to unnecessary package bloat upon installation.

fix

Upgrade to `unescape-js@1.1.4` or later to avoid installing superfluous `@babel` dependencies.

affects: 1.1.3

gotchaThe `unescape-js` package has not been updated in approximately six years (since v1.1.4 was published). This indicates the project is likely abandoned. While it remains functional for its core purpose, users should be aware that it may not receive updates for new JavaScript features, bug fixes, or security vulnerabilities.

fix

No direct fix; proceed with caution. Consider if the lack of ongoing maintenance poses a risk for your application, or if alternative, actively maintained libraries are available that serve similar needs.

affects: >=1.1.4

Errors

Common errors & fixes

ReferenceError: require is not defined

Attempting to use `require()` in an ECMAScript Module (ESM) context (e.g., in a file with `"type": "module"` in `package.json` or a `.mjs` file).

fix

Ensure your project is configured for CommonJS (e.g., omit `"type": "module"` from `package.json` and use `.js` files) or use dynamic import `import('unescape-js').then(mod => mod.default('...')` if strictly in ESM.

TypeError: unescapeJs is not a function

Attempting to import `unescapeJs` as a named export (`import { unescapeJs } from 'unescape-js';`) when the library provides a CommonJS default export.

fix

For CommonJS, use `const unescapeJs = require('unescape-js');`. If using a bundler that transpiles CJS to ESM, `import unescapeJs from 'unescape-js';` might work, but the canonical CJS import is recommended.

Upgrade

Version history

1.1.4latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

No dependency data recorded yet.

Agent activity

7 hits · last 30 days

node

OpenAI (training)

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/iamakulov/unescape-js ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/unescape-js ↗