How to use flutter hot reload in console?

Introduction

Flutter’s hot reload feature is a game-changer for developers, allowing you to see changes reflected in your app almost instantly without restarting the entire process. This article will guide you through using hot reload directly from your console.

Enabling Hot Reload

1. Start the Flutter App

Before you can utilize hot reload, you need to run your Flutter app. Use the following command in your console:

flutter run

2. Hot Reload Command

Once the app is running, use the “r” command in your console to initiate a hot reload:

r

This will trigger a rebuild of your app with the latest changes made in your code.

Understanding Hot Reload

1. What Happens During Hot Reload

• Your code changes are compiled into a new Dart snapshot.
• This new snapshot is sent to the running app.
• The app’s state is preserved, and only the modified parts of the UI are updated.

2. When to Use Hot Reload

• Modifying UI components (like colors, layouts, or widgets).
• Adding or removing widgets.
• Fixing simple bugs.

3. Limitations of Hot Reload

• Hot reload doesn’t work for all changes, such as:
  • Changing the app’s main function.
  • Adding or removing dependencies.
  • Modifying the app’s entry point.

Hot Reload vs. Hot Restart

Conclusion

Mastering hot reload in your console streamlines your Flutter development workflow. By understanding its capabilities and limitations, you can significantly accelerate the development process and enjoy a more efficient debugging experience.