Webpack's watch mode is a feature that allows the tool to monitor your source files for changes and automatically trigger recompilation whenever a change is detected. This is particularly useful during development, as it helps you save time by avoiding manual recompilation every time you make changes to your code.
Here's how you can use Webpack's watch mode:
Running Webpack in Watch Mode
To run Webpack in watch mode, you can use the --watch flag when running the webpack command through your terminal. For example:
npx webpack --watch
With this command, Webpack will start watching your source files and automatically recompile the bundle whenever you save changes to them.
Webpack Configuration
You can also set up watch mode in your webpack configuration file (webpack.config.js) by adding the watch: true option:
module.exports = {
// ...other configuration options
watch: true
};
This way, you don't need to use the --watch flag every time you run the webpack command.
Behavior
When Webpack is in watch mode, it will continuously monitor your source files for changes. Whenever you make changes and save the files, Webpack will automatically recompile the bundle. This allows you to see the changes in your application without having to manually trigger the build process each time.
Keep in mind that while watch mode is great for development, it's not typically used in production builds, as it can consume unnecessary resources. For production builds, you would generally use Webpack to create optimized and minified bundles without watch mode.
Remember to refer to the official Webpack documentation for the most up-to-date information on using watch mode and its associated options.