---

name: watch-dir description: Watch directories for file changes using Node.js fs.watch. Use when monitoring files, detecting changes, or building watch-based workflows.

Watch Directory

Watch directory and subdirectories for changes using fs.watch.

CLI

Copy.claude/skills/watch-dir/watch.ts [dir]

Watches dir (default: current) recursively. Outputs event: path on changes. Ctrl-C to stop.

Code Examples

Basic (recursive)

Copyimport { watch } from "fs";

const watcher = watch("./src", { recursive: true }, (event, path) => {
  console.log(`${event}: ${path}`);
});

Async iterator

Copyimport { watch } from "fs/promises";

const watcher = watch("./src", { recursive: true });
for await (const { eventType, filename } of watcher) {
  console.log(`${eventType}: ${filename}`);
}

Cleanup on SIGINT

Copyimport { watch } from "fs";

const watcher = watch("./src", { recursive: true }, (event, path) => {
  console.log(`${event}: ${path}`);
});

process.on("SIGINT", () => {
  watcher.close();
  process.exit(0);
});

Events

• rename: file created, deleted, or renamed
• change: file content modified

Notes

• recursive: true required for subdirectories
• import.meta.dir = current file's directory (bun only)
• call watcher.close() to stop watching