The npm package 'request' had frequent releases between 2011 and 2016, with a peak in 2011. Release frequency decreased significantly after 2016, with only a single release in 2018 and another in 2020. There have been no releases since February 2020, and there were no releases on September 2025.
request is a simplified HTTP client, renowned for its ease of use. It's designed to be human-friendly, offering a straightforward API for making HTTP calls. While request itself is now deprecated, its influence is significant, having shaped the landscape of HTTP request libraries in Node.js. It provides robust features like redirects, proxies, and streams, simplifying common HTTP tasks. Many successor libraries exist, carrying forward the principles of simplicity and functionality pioneered by request.
Request's npm package downloads fluctuated significantly between March 2024 and September 2025. Downloads generally increased throughout 2024, peaking in November before declining. They remained relatively stable in early 2025, surged in June and July, then decreased substantially in August and September,likely due to incomplete data for the current month.
