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Continuous Watch Mode (--watch)

Re-running ./gradlew e2eTest manually after every code edit introduces turnaround latency from Gradle task configuration and application cold boots. Continuous watch mode (--watch) keeps the test runner resident, monitors your project source directories, and re-executes tests automatically when files change.

Running in Watch Mode

Pass the --watch flag to the e2eTest task:

./gradlew e2eTest --targets=jvm --tests="sample.app.FormIntegrationTest" --watch

Interactive TDD Feedback Loop (Demo)

Watch mode monitors project source directories and re-executes tests automatically upon file save without restarting target applications:

./gradlew :samples:multiplatform-showcase:composeApp:e2eTest \
  --targets=jvm,wasm \
  --tests="sample.app.AccessibilityIntegrationTest.testSubtextMatching" \
  --desktop-window-position=1070x0 \
  --app-mode \
  --layout=side-by-side \
  --window-size=360x720 \
  --watch

How Watch Mode Works (TDD Cycle)

  1. Initial Run (Pass): Parikshan boots the target applications, docks them according to layout flags (e.g. side-by-side in --app-mode), and executes the baseline test pass. Application windows remain active.
  2. Code Edit (Fail): Changing source or test code (e.g. updating an assertion or UI text) triggers an automatic background compile upon saving. Tests re-execute immediately without relaunching applications, showing failure feedback in the terminal.
  3. Correction (Pass): Restoring or fixing the code and saving triggers an instant re-run (~1–2 seconds), turning the suite green.

Exiting Watch Mode

Terminate watch mode at any time using Ctrl + C in your terminal, or by manually closing any running application window (Desktop or browser window) — Parikshan detects window closure and terminates the daemon cleanly.

Customizing Recompilation (--compile-command)

By default, watch mode invokes ./gradlew assemble or the target-specific compilation task upon detecting file modifications. You can override the recompilation command:

./gradlew e2eTest \
  --targets=jvm \
  --watch \
  --compile-command="./gradlew :composeApp:jvmProcessResources :composeApp:jvmJar"

Faster Turnaround with Keep-Alive (--keep-alive)

Combining --watch with --keep-alive leaves the running application process alive between test iterations, avoiding full JVM restarts or browser page reloads:

./gradlew e2eTest --targets=jvm --watch --keep-alive