watch ☆
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Description:
Executes a program periodically, showing output fullscreen
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: System utilities
Tags: monitoring cli terminal system-utility automation
Install: brew install watch
About:
The 'watch' command executes a specified program or command repeatedly at a defined interval and displays the output in a full-screen terminal view. It is part of the procps-ng suite and provides a real-time, continuously updating view of command output. This is invaluable for monitoring system metrics, log files, or any dynamic data without manual refreshes.
Key Features:
  • Real-time full-screen output of any command
  • Configurable update interval (-n flag)
  • Highlighting of changes between updates (-d flag)
  • Standard terminal navigation and process control (quit with 'q')
Use Cases:
  • Monitoring system resource usage (e.g., 'watch df', 'watch free -m')
  • Observing log file changes or application status in real-time
  • Tracking long-running command or script progress
Alternatives:
  • tmux – A full terminal multiplexer that can run commands in split panes, but requires manual refresh or scripting to replicate 'watch' behavior.
  • entr – Executes commands when files change, ideal for build automation, whereas 'watch' runs on a fixed time interval.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 15, 2025 4:29pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 60d1cdab
Dec 26, 2024 6:42pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 4ef95c9b
Feb 18, 2023 3:15am 0 VERSION_BUMP dc611884
Feb 18, 2023 3:15am 0 VERSION_BUMP 418da125
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