JetBrains Rider 2021.2 Help

Watch variables

If you want to evaluate a number of variables or expressions in the context of the current frame, and view all of them simultaneously, you can create watches for them. The values of the watched variables and expressions are updated with each step through the application, but are only visible when the application is suspended. Unlike the evaluated expressions, active watches are saved as a part of the solution.

Open the Watches pane

By default, the Watches pane is hidden and the watches are shown in the Variables pane.

  • To have the Watches pane displayed separately and view the configured watches in it, release the Show watches in Variables tab toggle button on the toolbar of the Variables pane. By default, the button is pressed.

  • To hide the Watches pane and view the watches in the Variables pane, press the Show watches in Variables tab toggle button on the toolbar of the Watches pane.

Add an item to a watch

  • In the Watches pane, press Insert or click Add and then enter the name of a variable or an expression.

  • On the Variables pane, or in the Result view of the Evaluate dialog right-click the desired item and choose Add to Watches.

  • Select the desired item in the Variables pane and drag it to the Watches pane.

  • Select a variable or expression in the editor and then drag it to the Watches pane or right-click it and choose Add to Watches.

Edit or remove a watch

  1. In the Variables or Watches pane, select a watch to be deleted.

  2. To remove a watch, press Delete or choose Remove Watch from the context menu.

  3. To edit the watch expression, press F2 or choose Remove Watch from the context menu.

Inline watches

To watch the result of some expression right in the editor, next to a specific line of code, you can set up an inline watch for that expression. Inline watches are displayed similarly to the inline values but they have the Show watches in Variables tab icon and remain active even after session restart:

JetBrains Rider: Inline watch

Add inline watch

  • Click an inline value and then click Add as inline watch in the popup that opens. In the input field that appears, use the original variable to form an expression to watch.

  • Right-click at the end of the desired line and choose Add Inline Watch in the context menu. In the input field that appears, specify an expression to watch.

  • Right-click a variable or expression that you want to watch and choose Add Inline Watch in the context menu. An inline watch will be created for that variable or expression.

Edit and remove inline watches

  • Hover the mouse over an inline watch in the editor and then either click the Icons actions cross icon to remove it, or click the watch value and then click Edit Watch Expression in the popup that opens.

  • Inline watches are also shown in the Variables or Watches pane under the Inline Watches node. You can right-click watches there and use the context menu to remove them or edit their expressions.

Last modified: 20 August 2021