inotify-wait
waits for filesystem events using Linux's inotify interface
TLDR
Watch file for changes
$ inotifywait [file]
Monitor directory recursively$ inotifywait -r [directory]
Watch for specific events$ inotifywait -e [modify,create,delete] [path]
Monitor continuously$ inotifywait -m [path]
Output in CSV format$ inotifywait -m --csv [path]
Watch with timeout$ inotifywait -t [30] [path]
SYNOPSIS
inotifywait [options] path...
DESCRIPTION
inotifywait waits for filesystem events using Linux's inotify interface. It exits when specified events occur on watched paths.
The tool enables event-driven scripts that react to file changes. It supports monitoring files, directories, and recursive watching.
PARAMETERS
-m, --monitor
Monitor continuously (don't exit after first event).-r, --recursive
Watch directories recursively.-e EVENT
Events to watch (access, modify, create, delete, move).-t SECONDS
Timeout in seconds.--csv
Output in CSV format.--format FMT
Custom output format.-q, --quiet
Suppress non-essential output.--help
Display help information.
CAVEATS
Linux-only (inotify). Watch limits may need adjustment. Not for NFS/remote filesystems.
HISTORY
inotifywait is part of inotify-tools, created to provide command-line access to Linux's inotify file monitoring API.
SEE ALSO
inotifywatch(1), fswatch(1), entr(1), watch(1)