# Monitoring a file or directory for changes using a watch node

You can monitor files or directories for changes. Whenever a monitored file or directory changes, a message indicating the change is injected into the flow.

When using u-control automation controllers, please also observe the manual u-control automation controller.

1. You must insert a memory card into the controller.

1. Open Node-RED.
2. Add a watch node from the advanced category to the workspace.
3. Double-click the watch node to open the Edit watch node dialogue.

4. ## NOTICE

   All files are stored on a memory card. The memory card is accessible at the file path /run/media/mmcblk0p1/.

5. In the text box File(s), specify the path to the file or directory you want to monitor.

6. ## NOTICE

   You can monitor multiple files or directories by entering a comma-separated list of file paths.

7. If you are monitoring a directory and want to monitor all its sub-directories, select the check box Watch sub-directories recursively.
8. Click Done to apply your changes.
9. Add more nodes to the workspace and connect them to a flow with the watch node being the first node.