docker-watch-mode-2025

Q: How do I install docker-watch-mode-2025?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/josiahsiegel/claude-plugin-marketplace --skill docker-watch-mode-2025 in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/docker-watch-mode-2025/ (personal) or .claude/skills/docker-watch-mode-2025/ (project).

by josiahsiegelDevOps & Cloud

Docker Compose Watch mode for hot reload during local development (2025 GA). PROACTIVELY activate for: (1) docker compose watch setup, (2) watch action types (sync, rebuild, sync+restart, sync+exec), (3) configuring path filters and ignore patterns, (4) hot-reload for Node/Python/Go/Rust apps in Compose, (5) sync-only vs rebuild trade-offs, (6) using watch with profiles, (7) debugging watch mode (verbose logs), (8) integrating watch with bind mounts, (9) Compose watch vs nodemon/air/cargo-watch. Provides: watch action reference, per-language hot-reload examples, path filter patterns, and troubleshooting steps.

Installs: 162
Last 24h: —
Trending rank: —
Security: Not audited

Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/josiahsiegel/claude-plugin-marketplace --skill docker-watch-mode-2025

01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads docker-watch-mode-2025 automatically when relevant.
03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.

SKILL.md

The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.

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.

Core Procedure

Confirm the app already starts with docker compose up before adding watch rules.
Prefer sync for source directories when the runtime already reloads files.
Use rebuild for dependency manifests, Dockerfiles, compiled artifacts, or base-image changes.
Use sync+restart for configuration files that are read only at process startup.
Add narrow ignore rules for dependency folders, build outputs, VCS folders, caches, secrets, and generated files.
Run docker compose up --watch and verify both fast source edits and dependency changes.

Usage

services:
  frontend:
    build: ./frontend
    develop:
      watch:
        - action: sync
          path: ./frontend/src
          target: /app/src
          ignore: [node_modules/, .git/, dist/]
        - action: rebuild
          path: ./frontend/package.json

Start with: docker compose up --watch.

Troubleshooting Checklist

Change not detected: verify the watched path is relative to the Compose file and not excluded by ignore.
Hot reload not firing: confirm the application inside the container has its own watcher enabled.
Container restarts too often: split source sync from manifest rebuild rules.
File ownership issues: prefer named volumes for dependency directories and sync only application code.
Slow sync: narrow watched paths and exclude build outputs or large generated folders.

References

Use docker compose watch --help and Docker's Compose Watch documentation for the current action set and CLI flags. Pair this skill with compose-patterns-2025 when watch rules interact with service dependencies, profiles, networks, or volumes.

Benefits

Better performance than broad bind mounts
Fewer host/container file permission issues
Intelligent syncing with rebuild capability
Works across supported Docker Desktop and Compose platforms

FAQ

What does the docker-watch-mode-2025 skill do?

How do I install docker-watch-mode-2025?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/josiahsiegel/claude-plugin-marketplace --skill docker-watch-mode-2025 in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/docker-watch-mode-2025/ (personal) or .claude/skills/docker-watch-mode-2025/ (project).

Which AI agents can use docker-watch-mode-2025?

Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.

Is docker-watch-mode-2025 safe to install?

No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.

Who maintains docker-watch-mode-2025?

It is published by josiahsiegel in josiahsiegel/claude-plugin-marketplace. It has 162 recorded installs.