Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions we get about UCD.js and the Unicode Character Database.

General

What is UCD.js?

UCD.js is a TypeScript/JavaScript monorepo filled with packages that simplify downloading, parsing, validating, and interacting with the complex text files of the Unicode Character Database (UCD).

Which Node.js version is required?

UCD.js requires Node.js ^24.13.0 or newer. We rely on modern JavaScript APIs and ECMAScript modules (ESM).

Is UCD.js meant for the frontend or backend?

Both! The @ucdjs/client and @ucdjs/fs-bridge architectures are designed to be environment agnostic. You can fetch Unicode data from HTTP in the browser or read files locally in Node.js/Bun.

Data & Unicode

Does this include all Unicode characters?

Yes. UCD.js schemas and pipelines process the official release files published by the Unicode Consortium. You have access to the entire standard.

How often are the schemas updated?

When the Unicode Consortium releases a new version (for example, moving from Unicode 15 to 16), UCD.js generates new Zod schemas to accurately reflect the latest specifications and property types.

Can I process my own custom .txt files using UCD.js?

Absolutely. The @ucdjs/pipelines-* system is incredibly robust and pluggable. You can define custom Sources and Routes to parse whatever specific format you need while leveraging the built-in graph execution.

Contributing

How can I contribute?

We welcome all contributions! Whether it's adding new documentation, fixing a bug in the file parser, or improving the UI of the pipeline visualizer, check out our Contributing guide to get started.