error watching file exception, preventing npm start from working + fix

[polaire801]

This appears to be similar to issue #437, which was closed, but I just experienced the same issue on a new mac (today, 12/23/17). I vaguely recall running into this issue on another machine a few months ago (also mac).

I followed the installation instructions and troubleshooting section, but would run into an error when executing 'npm start -s'.

I searched on the error text and found this article that mentions the error and suggests a fix.
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/39675840/error-watching-file-for-changes-emfile-when-run-the-examples-from-facebook-re

at the very least, I think it would be helpful to include a bullet point in the README's troubleshooting section for this issue.

if it helps..
npm version: 5.6.0
node version: 9.3.0
os: mac high sierra 10.13.2

Thanks!

[nickytonline]

PRs for documentation are always welcome. 😀

[nickytonline]

Didn't read the fix in SO. Actually, I think the watchman fix has been mentioned/documented elsewhere. @kylewelch?

[perchrh]

Had the same problem, and the fix was to install watchman, like described here facebook/create-react-app#2393
I recommend to mention this watchman-related fix in the same section as the Linux watch issue is described, with the sysctl workaround command

[nickytonline]

Whoever would like to PR for the docs, feel free to do so. I think @kwelch had planned on doing this, #469 (comment), but I think he got busy. Kyle?

[nickytonline]

Duplicate of of #437, #449, #469 which are all closed but leaving this open as we'll document how to fix it here.

[polaire801]

I'm a github n00b, but I'd be happy to make something like this my first github PR. :)

[nickytonline]

Sounds good @polaire801. Hit me up if you need a hand

[paulfreeman]

On Mac OS High Sierra had this problem. Reinstalling watchman with brew solved the problem apropos expo/create-react-native-app#281

[nickytonline]

Closing this as it was documented in #536.