Re: Native (small) inotifywait-like tool?

From: Bakul Shah <bakul_at_iitbombay.org>
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:30:40 UTC
$ pkg which  /usr/local/bin/inotifywa{it,tch}
/usr/local/bin/inotifywait was installed by package inotify-tools-4.25.9.0_1
/usr/local/bin/inotifywatch was installed by package inotify-tools-4.25.9.0_1

$ ls -lL /usr/local/bin/inotifywa{it,tch} /usr/local/lib/libinotifytools.so.0
-rwxr-xr-x  1 root wheel 24968 Nov 19  2025 /usr/local/bin/inotifywait
-rwxr-xr-x  1 root wheel 22664 Nov 19  2025 /usr/local/bin/inotifywatch
-rwxr-xr-x  1 root wheel 38192 Nov 19 20:22:48 2025 /usr/local/lib/libinotifytools.so.0

Why does it need to be in the base?

> On Aug 5, 2026, at 9:43 AM, Bjoern A. Zeeb <bzeeb-lists@lists.zabbadoz.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> do we have a native tool (can be way simpler) like inotifywait?
> 
> I am essentially looking for something which will trigger an action when a
> file changes; the action could also be in a shell script so "wait" in a shell
> script look would be acceptable.
> 
> Problem is that I am very space contraint and don't want to pull in more
> libraries etc. when a few kB would already do.
> 
> I assume soemthing like the example in kqueue(2) will almost do?
> 
> I am just wondering: we do not have a tool like this already in base?
> 
> /bz
> 
> -- 
> Bjoern A. Zeeb                                                     r15:7
>