How to disable webpack dev server auto reload?

In Webpack Dev Server, automatic page reload is a highly useful feature that streamlines the development process. However, in certain scenarios, if you need more control or require manual page refreshes, you might prefer to disable this feature.

1. Using the inline Option

When using Webpack Dev Server, you can disable automatic page reload by setting the inline option to false. This prevents Webpack from injecting client-side scripts to automatically refresh the page.

javascript
// webpack.config.js
module.exports = {
  // Other configurations...
  devServer: {
    inline: false
  }
};

2. Using the watchContentBase Option

Another approach is to set the watchContentBase option to false. This completely disables Webpack's watch mode, meaning Webpack will not automatically compile modified files, and the page will not reload automatically.

javascript
// webpack.config.js
module.exports = {
  // Other configurations...
  devServer: {
    watchContentBase: false
  }
};

3. Manual Refresh

If you disable automatic page reload, you may need to manually refresh the browser after code changes. This approach is suitable when you need precise control over when to refresh the page.

Example Scenario

Suppose you are developing a multi-step form and frequently need to check the status of each step during development. If the page automatically reloads after every change, you might lose the current form state, leading to decreased efficiency. In such cases, disabling automatic page reload and manually refreshing at appropriate times may better suit your development needs.

In summary, choosing the appropriate configuration options based on your specific needs will enable the Webpack tool to better serve your project.