Question 1

How to use watch to run tests automatically on file change?

Accepted Answer

Use the CLI tool: run 'watch "npm test" src' to monitor the src directory and execute npm test on any modification. Ensure proper quoting for your OS, as Windows may need double quotes.

Question 2

Watch vs chokidar: which is better for Node.js?

Accepted Answer

Watch is simpler and has a built-in CLI, making it good for basic tasks. Chokidar is more efficient with native event-driven APIs, better for performance-critical applications, but requires more setup.

Question 3

How to ignore node_modules in watch?

Accepted Answer

Use the --ignoreDirectoryPattern option in the CLI with a regex like /node_modules/, or in code, set ignoreDirectoryPattern: /node_modules/ in the options object for watchTree or createMonitor.

Question 4

Can watch monitor subdirectories recursively?

Accepted Answer

Yes, watchTree and createMonitor recursively watch entire directory trees by default. There's no need for additional configuration to handle nested files and folders.

Question 5

How to stop watch programmatically?

Accepted Answer

Call unwatchTree for watchTree, or use monitor.stop() for createMonitor. This cleans up listeners and stops further file change notifications.

Question 6

Does watch work on Windows with special characters?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but be cautious with file paths and command quoting. The README notes that Windows users might need double quotes and escaping in npm scripts, which can complicate usage.

watch

What is watch?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

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Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions