| name | docker-watch-mode-2025 |
| description | Docker Compose Watch mode for automatic hot reload during local development with sync, rebuild, and restart actions |
Docker Compose Watch Mode (2025 GA)
Docker Compose Watch enables automatic hot reload during local development by synchronizing file changes instantly without manual container restarts.
Three Watch Actions
1. sync - Hot Reload
For frameworks with hot reload (React, Next.js, Node.js, Flask).
Copies changed files directly into running container.
2. rebuild - Compilation
For compiled languages (Go, Rust, Java) or dependency changes.
Rebuilds image and recreates container when files change.
3. sync+restart - Config Changes
For configuration files requiring restart.
Syncs files and restarts container.
Usage
services:
frontend:
build: ./frontend
develop:
watch:
- action: sync
path: ./frontend/src
target: /app/src
ignore: [node_modules/, .git/]
- action: rebuild
path: ./frontend/package.json
Start with: docker compose up --watch
Benefits
- Better performance than bind mounts
- No file permission issues
- Intelligent syncing
- Supports rebuild capability
- Works on all platforms
