absmach

absmach / watchdoc

Public

Simple file server with watchdog feature and custom hook integration

fileserver go goalng hot-reload simple
15
0
100% credibility
Found Feb 02, 2026 at 15 stars -- GitGems finds repos before they trend. Get early access to the next one.
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AI Analysis
Go
AI Summary

WatchDoc is a lightweight tool that previews static files or documentation with automatic browser reloads when files change and optional custom build triggers.

How It Works

1
🔍 Find WatchDoc

You come across this handy tool that makes previewing your docs and websites super easy with automatic updates.

2
📥 Install it quickly

Grab the tool onto your computer using a simple download script or your Go setup.

3
📁 Open your project folder

Navigate to the folder holding your source files or ready-to-view website.

4
🚀 Start your live preview

Run the tool, pick folders to watch for changes, and add any build steps if needed.

5
🖥️ Preview opens in browser

Your website or docs appear right away in your web browser, ready to view.

6
✏️ Edit files and see magic

Change your files, and watch the browser update instantly without any manual refresh.

🎉 Focus on creating

Now you write and build effortlessly, with everything staying perfectly in sync.

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Star Growth

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AI-Generated Review

What is watchdoc?

Watchdoc is a Go-built simple file server that serves static files from a directory over HTTP, injecting WebSocket code into HTML for automatic browser reloads when output changes. It watches source folders for updates, runs your custom build command like "make generate" on changes, then triggers refreshes – solving the endless refresh-rebuild cycle in static site or docs workflows. Run it with `watchdoc -serve-dir ./output -watch-dirs ./src -cmd "make build"` for instant live development.

Why is it gaining traction?

Unlike npm-heavy tools like live-server, it's a single zero-dependency binary with debounced watching that skips noise like .git or node_modules, plus multi-dir support and auto-browser open. Developers grab it for the dead-simple CLI and fast setup as a simple file sharing or simple file transfer server during prototyping. The hook: chain source builds to output reloads without config hell.

Who should use this?

Static site devs using Hugo or MkDocs who hate manual rebuilds. Docs teams at startups iterating on simple file lists or simple file manager setups locally. Frontend prototypers needing a simple file upload server with live reload for quick HTML/JS shares.

Verdict

Solid niche pick for lightweight static dev at 15 stars – great docs, CLI flags, and tests show promise despite 1.0% credibility signaling early maturity. Grab the binary via curl for personal workflows; hold off for team tools until more battle-testing.

(187 words)

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