---
name: "batwatch"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "bat-extras"
version: "2024.08.24-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/batwatch"
---

# batwatch(1)

Watch for changes in files or command output, and print them with bat.

## NAME

batwatch - Watch for changes in files or command output, and print them with *bat*.

## DESCRIPTION

## USAGE

    batwatch \[OPTIONS\] FILE...

    batwatch \[OPTIONS\] --command COMMAND \[ARG...\]

## OPTIONS

| | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Short** | **Long** | **Description** |
|
|  | *--command* | *-x* | Execute a command on an interval. |
|  | *--file* | *-f* | Watch a file for changes. |
|  | *--watcher=\[watcher\]* | Use a specific program to watch for file changes. See below for more details. |
|  | *--interval=\[seconds\]* | The interval for executing commands. |
|  | *--clear* | Clear the screen before printing the files. This is enabled by default. |
|  | *--no-clear* | Do not clear the screen before printing the files. |
|  | *--color* | Force color output. |
|  | *--no-color* | Force disable color output. |

All remaining options are passed through to bat.

## WATCHERS

Batwatch uses external programs to watch for file changes.\
 Currently, the following programs are supported:

\- entr

There is also a fallback *poll* watcher available.