Webpack / typescript require works but import doesn't - import

Question

I'm trying to import a node_module into a TypeScript file. I'm using an adaptation of angular2-webpack-starter for my project structure.
import ace from 'brace';
In one of my files gives me
Cannot find module 'brace'.
But
var ace = require('brace');
Works fine. According to this issue I shouldn't be having any problems.
My webpack config file is copied from angular2-webpack-starter.
My tsconfig.json is as follows
{
"compilerOptions": {
"target": "es5",
"module": "commonjs",
"removeComments": true,
"emitDecoratorMetadata": true,
"experimentalDecorators": true,
"sourceMap": true
},
"files": [
"src/bootstrap.ts",
"src/vendor.ts",
"src/polyfills.ts"
],
"filesGlob": [
"./src/**/*.ts",
"!./node_modules/**/*.ts"
],
"compileOnSave": false,
"buildOnSave": false
}
Why would one work but not the other?

Answer 1

The answer is related to this issue. If a module doesn't have type data available (via a .d.ts file), the ES6 module syntax
import name from "module-name";
import * as name from "module-name";
import { member } from "module-name";
//etc
will not work and one must use the CommonJS alternative,
var name = require("module-name");