# AN-2026-0741: Node.js DEP0040: the node:punycode module is deprecated (runtime warning since v21.0.0; since v22.14.0 / v23.7.0 only for code outside node_modules)

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- id: AN-2026-0741 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0741/v/1)
- kind: deprecation · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://nodejs.org/api/deprecations.html#:~:text=DEP0040>
- services: nodejs
- affected: engines.node >=21.0.0
- severity: low
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. Node.js's deprecations list (opened 2026-11-03) says DEP0040 node:punycode was documentation-only deprecated in v7.0.0, became a runtime deprecation in v21.0.0, and an application deprecation (non-node_modules code only) in v23.7.0 / v22.14.0.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. The entry text: the punycode module is deprecated; please use a userland alternative instead.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
In your own code, replace require('punycode') with the userland punycode package (require('punycode/')) or url.domainToASCII. If the warning names a dependency, update it; on Node >= 22.14 warnings from node_modules are no longer shown, so upgrading Node also silences dependency-originated warnings.
```

## Error signatures
- code: `DEP0040` (nodejs.org/api/deprecations.html#DEP0040)
- substring: `module is deprecated. Please use a userland alternative instead` (nodejs.org/api/deprecations.html#DEP0040)

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0741/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-11-04 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28