# How to Reload Files from Disk

> Press ⌘R to discard pending writes and re-read every locale file from disk: useful after git checkout, branch switch, or external edits.

Source: https://stringlane.app/docs/reload-from-disk
Last updated: 2026-06-25

When you edit a locale file outside StringLane: `git checkout`, branch switch, find-and-replace in another editor, an `flutter gen-l10n` rerun, and StringLane is still showing the old values, hit **⌘R** to reload everything from disk.

## How

| Path | What it does |
|---|---|
| **⌘R** keyboard shortcut | Reloads all locale files from disk |
| **Reload** button in the status bar | Same as ⌘R |
| **⌘P → "Reload from Disk"** | Same as ⌘R, via the Command Palette |
| **File → Reload from Disk** menu item | Same as ⌘R |

## What happens

1. Any **pending unsaved edits** (debounced writes that haven't flushed yet) are **cancelled** so they don't overwrite the new on-disk state.
2. Every locale file is re-parsed from disk.
3. Validation runs again from scratch.
4. The detail pane re-renders with the loaded values.

The key currently selected in the sidebar stays selected (if it still exists in the new state).

## When to use it

- After a `git checkout` or branch switch that touched locale files.
- After running a script that bulk-rewrites files (e.g. find-and-replace across all `.arb` via `sed`).
- When you suspect StringLane and disk are out of sync, for example, the status bar says "Saved · just now" but the file viewer shows older values.
- When you want to abandon every pending edit without saving them. (Be aware: pending unsaved edits are cancelled. They won't be flushed first. If you want them on disk, just wait for the auto-save to finish before reloading.)

## What it doesn't do

- It doesn't undo previously-saved edits. Those are already on disk and reload reads them back as-is. Use git or your editor's undo.
- It doesn't reload Settings or Project Settings. Those have their own write paths.
- It doesn't reset your sidebar filter, dock orientation, or other UI state.

## Related

- [How to Use the Command Palette](/docs/use-command-palette): every action including "Reload from Disk".
- [Customize keybindings](/docs/customize-keybindings): rebind ⌘R if it conflicts with a system shortcut.