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.

Usage

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

Start with: docker compose up --watch

Benefits

• Better performance than bind mounts
• No file permission issues
• Intelligent syncing
• Supports rebuild capability
• Works on all platforms