> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://hitspec.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Watch Mode

> Automatically re-run tests when files change during development.

Watch mode monitors your `.http` and `.hitspec` files for changes and automatically re-runs tests when a file is saved. This creates a fast feedback loop during API development.

## Usage

```bash theme={null}
hitspec run tests/ --watch
```

Short form:

```bash theme={null}
hitspec run tests/ -w
```

## How It Works

1. hitspec runs all matching tests once
2. It then watches the directories containing your test files
3. When a `.http` or `.hitspec` file is modified, tests re-run automatically
4. Press `Ctrl+C` to stop watching

## Combining with Filters

Combine watch mode with filters for focused development:

```bash theme={null}
# Watch only smoke tests
hitspec run tests/ --watch --tags smoke

# Watch and filter by name
hitspec run tests/ --watch --name "createUser"

# Watch with a specific environment
hitspec run tests/ --watch --env dev
```

## Debouncing

hitspec debounces file change events with a 300ms delay. Rapid consecutive saves (e.g., from auto-formatting) only trigger a single test re-run.

## Output in Watch Mode

Each re-run creates fresh output. For structured formats (JSON, JUnit), the formatter is re-initialized on each change so you always get complete, valid output.

```bash theme={null}
# Watch with JSON output
hitspec run tests/ --watch --output json
```

<Note>
  Watch mode currently watches directories containing your test files. Changes to environment files (`hitspec.yaml`, `.env`) do not trigger re-runs -- restart the command to pick up config changes.
</Note>