diff --git a/iroh/examples/sync.rs b/iroh/examples/sync.rs
index 147280bb82..5df2db1772 100644
--- a/iroh/examples/sync.rs
+++ b/iroh/examples/sync.rs
@@ -208,6 +208,20 @@ async fn run(args: Args) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     // process commands in a loop
     println!("> ready to accept commands");
     println!("> type `help` for a list of commands");
+
+    let current_watch: Arc<std::sync::Mutex<Option<String>>> =
+        Arc::new(std::sync::Mutex::new(None));
+    let watch = current_watch.clone();
+    doc.on_insert(Box::new(move |_origin, entry| {
+        let matcher = watch.lock().unwrap();
+        if let Some(matcher) = &*matcher {
+            let key = entry.entry().id().key();
+            if key.starts_with(matcher.as_bytes()) {
+                println!("change: {}", fmt_entry(&entry));
+            }
+        }
+    }));
+
     loop {
         // wait for a command from the input repl thread
         let Some((cmd, to_repl_tx)) = cmd_rx.recv().await else {
@@ -225,7 +239,7 @@ async fn run(args: Args) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
             _ = tokio::signal::ctrl_c() => {
                 println!("> aborted");
             }
-            res = handle_command(cmd, &doc, &our_ticket, &log_filter) => if let Err(err) = res {
+            res = handle_command(cmd, &doc, &our_ticket, &log_filter, &current_watch) => if let Err(err) = res {
                 println!("> error: {err}");
             },
         };
@@ -249,6 +263,7 @@ async fn handle_command(
     doc: &Doc,
     ticket: &Ticket,
     log_filter: &LogLevelReload,
+    current_watch: &Arc<std::sync::Mutex<Option<String>>>,
 ) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     match cmd {
         Cmd::Set { key, value } => {
@@ -263,6 +278,18 @@ async fn handle_command(
                 }
             }
         }
+        Cmd::Watch { key } => {
+            println!("watching key: '{key}'");
+            current_watch.lock().unwrap().replace(key);
+        }
+        Cmd::WatchCancel => match current_watch.lock().unwrap().take() {
+            Some(key) => {
+                println!("canceled watching key: '{key}'");
+            }
+            None => {
+                println!("no watch active");
+            }
+        },
         Cmd::Ls { prefix } => {
             let entries = match prefix {
                 None => doc.replica().all(),
@@ -325,6 +352,13 @@ pub enum Cmd {
         #[clap(verbatim_doc_comment)]
         directive: String,
     },
+    /// Watch for changes.
+    Watch {
+        /// The key to watch.
+        key: String,
+    },
+    /// Cancels any running watch command.
+    WatchCancel,
     /// Quit
     Exit,
 }
diff --git a/iroh/src/sync/content.rs b/iroh/src/sync/content.rs
index 3f396e37c6..3d48424749 100644
--- a/iroh/src/sync/content.rs
+++ b/iroh/src/sync/content.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ use iroh_gossip::net::util::Dialer;
 use iroh_io::{AsyncSliceReader, AsyncSliceReaderExt};
 use iroh_net::{tls::PeerId, MagicEndpoint};
 use iroh_sync::sync::{
-    Author, InsertOrigin, Namespace, NamespaceId, Replica, ReplicaStore, SignedEntry,
+    Author, InsertOrigin, Namespace, NamespaceId, OnInsertCallback, Replica, ReplicaStore,
+    SignedEntry,
 };
 use tokio::{
     io::AsyncRead,
@@ -127,6 +128,10 @@ impl Doc {
         doc
     }
 
+    pub fn on_insert(&self, callback: OnInsertCallback) {
+        self.replica.on_insert(callback);
+    }
+
     pub fn replica(&self) -> &Replica {
         &self.replica
     }