entr
Shares file watcher and automation with Watchexec. Rated 4.4 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Automation ToolFreeCross-Platform
4.4Visit
Automation Tool
Watchexec
Re-run a command automatically whenever your files change.
Rating
4.5 / 5
Pricing
Free
Difficulty
Intermediate
Works on
Cross-Platform
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Watchexec?
Watchexec watches a path and runs a command whenever it detects modifications. Its README says it works with any language, respects .gitignore files and merges many file events into one run. Typical uses include running tests, linters and rebuilds. It supports macOS, Linux and Windows.
Third-party open-source projects. We are not affiliated with their authors; repositories are provided as-is by their maintainers. Review each project's license, code and security before installing. See our Disclaimer.
Pros: what Watchexec does well
- Saves you from re-running commands by hand
- Works with any language or tool
- Ignores files listed in .gitignore
Cons: where it falls short
- Aimed at people comfortable with the terminal
- Little use outside file-based projects
Who Watchexec is for
Anyone who edits files and wants tests or builds to run automatically.
Who can skip it
People who do not work with files and commands.
Watchexec alternatives
Not sold on Watchexec? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Task
Focus: task runner and build tool. Shares automation and command line with Watchexec. A desktop app, not an automation tool. Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Rated 4.6 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
iTerm2
Focus: terminal, mac and tmux. Shares command line and open source with Watchexec. A Mac app, not an automation tool. Adds macOS. Rated 4.7 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Mac AppFreemacOS
4.7Visit
fish shell
Focus: terminal, shell and autocomplete. Shares command line and open source with Watchexec. A desktop app, not an automation tool. Adds macOS and Linux. Rated 4.6 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Linux
4.6Visit
Nushell
Focus: shell and data pipelines. Shares command line and open source with Watchexec. A desktop app, not an automation tool. Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Rated 4.6 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
topgrade
Focus: updates, package manager and terminal. Shares automation and open source with Watchexec. A desktop app, not an automation tool. Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Rated 4.6 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
Free alternatives to Watchexec
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
Dasel
Focus: json, yaml and data conversion. Shares command line and open source with Watchexec. A desktop app, not an automation tool. Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Same 4.5 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
Coolify
Focus: self-hosting, deployment and hosting. Shares open source and github with Watchexec. A web app, not an automation tool. Adds Web. Rated 4.7 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.7Visit
Karabiner-Elements
Focus: keyboard remapping, shortcuts and hyper key. Shares open source and github with Watchexec. A Mac app, not an automation tool. Adds macOS. Rated 4.7 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Mac AppFreemacOS
4.7Visit
Apprise
Focus: notifications, alerts and scripts. Shares command line and open source with Watchexec. Rated 4.6 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Automation ToolFreeCross-Platform
4.6Visit
Hammerspoon
Focus: mac automation, window management and lua scripting. Shares open source and github with Watchexec. A Mac app, not an automation tool. Adds macOS and Offline. Rated 4.6 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Mac AppFreemacOS, Offline
4.6Visit
Kando
Focus: pie menu, launcher and shortcuts. Shares open source and github with Watchexec. A desktop app, not an automation tool. Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Rated 4.6 (Watchexec: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
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