Watchexec File Watcher Command Rerunner

---
name: "watchexec File Watcher and Command Re-Runner"
slug: "watchexec-file-watcher-command-rerunner"
description: "watchexec is a standalone file-watching tool written in Rust that automatically executes commands when it detects file modifications. It respects .gitignore rules, coalesces rapid filesystem events, and works cross-platform without requiring any language runtime."
github_stars: 6882
verification: "security_reviewed"
source: "https://github.com/watchexec/watchexec"
category: "Developer Tools"
framework: "Custom Agents"
tool_ecosystem:
  github_repo: "watchexec/watchexec"
  github_stars: 6882
---

# watchexec File Watcher and Command Re-Runner

watchexec is a standalone file-watching tool written in Rust that automatically executes commands when it detects file modifications. It respects .gitignore rules, coalesces rapid filesystem events, and works cross-platform without requiring any language runtime.

## Installation

Requirements and caveats from upstream:
- Simple invocation and use, does not require a cryptic command line involving xargs
- Does not require a language runtime, not tied to any particular language or ecosystem
- Call/restart python server.py when any Python file in the current directory (and all subdirectories) changes:

Basic usage or getting-started notes:
- Example use cases:
- Automatically run unit tests
- Run linters/syntax checkers

- Source: https://github.com/watchexec/watchexec
- Extracted from upstream docs: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/watchexec/watchexec/HEAD/README.md

## Source

- [Agent Skill Exchange](https://agentskillexchange.com/skills/watchexec-file-watcher-command-rerunner/)