# Live watches

Live watches allow you to monitor global variables in real time without stopping the debugger or the program’s execution. This feature is particularly useful for embedded developers working with time-sensitive protocols, such as Bluetooth, or with physical processes that cannot be interrupted.

> **Note:**
> Live watches are now only compatible with SEGGER J-Link and ST-LINK [debug servers](debug-servers.html), as well as generic ones connected to SEGGER J-Link and ST-LINK debug probes.

Procedure: Configure a debug server

1. Enable debug servers in `Settings | Advanced Settings | Debugger`:

![enable debug servers](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_enable_debug_servers.png)

2. Go to `Settings | Debugger | Debug Servers` and [configure your debug server](debug-servers.html#configure-debug-servers). Live watches are enabled by default for the SEGGER J-Link and ST-LINK debug servers in the `Debugger` tab:

![enable live watches](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_live_watches_debug_server.png)

Procedure: Start debugging with live watches

1. Select the required run/debug configuration in the main toolbar switcher.

2. Run a debug session.

3. In the `Debug` tool window, select the `Live Watches` tab, then add a variable to watch:

![add variable to watch](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_live_watches_add.png)

You can also add a variable by right-clicking it in the editor and selecting Add to Live Watches from the context menu:

![add variable to watch from editor](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_live_watches_add_editor.png)

When live watches are active, you can view your variable type, its maximum and minimum values, and the number of value changes:

![variable changes in real time](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_live_watches_real_time.png)

> **Tip:**
> Auto updates are disabled by default. To view value changes in real time, unclick Pause (![](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/app-client.expui.run.pause.svg)) on the left. Otherwise, click Update (![](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/clion-radler.resharper.expui.SolutionAnalysis.Loading1.svg)) to see how the values change after the next iteration of the program execution.

You can also configure a sampling period:

![configure sample period](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_live_watches_sample_period.png)

## Share your feedback

We are currently improving and extending the functionality of live watches. If you encounter any issues or have any suggestions, share them in [CPP-22056](https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/CPP-22056). You can also use Help | Submit Feedback… in the main IDE menu.