# Bun Watch a directory for changes

> Watch a directory for changes

- Skill: `jarle/bun-watch-a-directory-for-changes` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add jarle/bun-watch-a-directory-for-changes`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/jarle/bun-watch-a-directory-for-changes/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: jarle (https://skillmd.com/u/jarle)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/jarle/bun-watch-a-directory-for-changes

---


# Watch a directory for changes

Bun implements the `node:fs` module, including the `fs.watch` function for listening for file system changes.

This code block listens for changes to files in the current directory. By default this operation is *shallow*, meaning that changes to files in subdirectories will not be detected.

```ts  theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"dracula"}}
import { watch } from "fs";

const watcher = watch(import.meta.dir, (event, filename) => {
  console.log(`Detected ${event} in ${filename}`);
});
```

***

To listen to changes in subdirectories, pass the `recursive: true` option to `fs.watch`.

```ts  theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"dracula"}}
import { watch } from "fs";

const watcher = watch(import.meta.dir, { recursive: true }, (event, relativePath) => {
  console.log(`Detected ${event} in ${relativePath}`);
});
```

***

Using the `node:fs/promises` module, you can listen for changes using `for await...of` instead of a callback.

```ts  theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"dracula"}}
import { watch } from "fs/promises";

const watcher = watch(import.meta.dir);
for await (const event of watcher) {
  console.log(`Detected ${event.eventType} in ${event.filename}`);
}
```

***

To stop listening for changes, call `watcher.close()`. It's common to do this when the process receives a `SIGINT` signal, such as when the user presses Ctrl-C.

```ts  theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"dracula"}}
import { watch } from "fs";

const watcher = watch(import.meta.dir, (event, filename) => {
  console.log(`Detected ${event} in ${filename}`);
});

process.on("SIGINT", () => {
  // close watcher when Ctrl-C is pressed
  console.log("Closing watcher...");
  watcher.close();

  process.exit(0);
});
```

***

Refer to [API > Binary data > Typed arrays](/runtime/binary-data#typedarray) for more information on working with `Uint8Array` and other binary data formats in Bun.