Preview Issues - Can't get it to display updated content

General
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When I make a change, and the preview refreshes it doesn’t show the updates. I’ve tried reload/refresh page/refresh app, reload frame/restart app/hard restart and everything else I can think of. Im wondering if anyone else has had this issue and if there’s a known fix for this? It happens in both the prototyper and explorer views. Its pretty frustrating when you can’t see the changes you’ve made. Any advice is much appreciated

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Hey @Bliss_AISolutions :waving_hand:

You’re definitely not the only one seeing this — what you’re describing happens when the preview renderer’s cache inside Firebase Studio gets out of sync with your active project state. It’s most common after several hot reloads or when toggling between the Prototyper and Explorer views during live editing.

Here’s what’s going on and how to fix it:

:small_blue_diamond: Why It Happens

  • Firebase Studio’s preview engine runs an isolated runtime sandbox.

  • When you edit code, the live renderer patches components in memory, but sometimes the diff tracker fails to reconcile, especially after major layout or state changes.

  • This leaves the preview showing the previous build while your workspace has already updated.

:small_blue_diamond: Quick Fix Sequence

Try this exact order — it usually restores sync without losing your work:

  1. Click the Workspace Menu ▸ Environment ▸ Reset Live Preview Context
    (this forces the Studio to clear its internal React cache and reload your latest compiled output).

  2. Wait 5–10 seconds — don’t refresh the browser manually during this phase.

  3. When the workspace reinitializes, you’ll see a “Rebuilding Preview” banner — once that clears, changes should now reflect.

  4. If it still shows stale content:

    • Switch to Explorer View, open any other file, then return.

    • This forces a soft rebuild of the preview frame.

If the issue recurs repeatedly, it helps to:

  • Save and close the session every few hours to reset internal cache size.

  • Avoid rapid code edits while the preview is rebuilding (it can skip diffs if multiple reloads overlap).

:small_blue_diamond: Known Behavior

This is a known preview-layer bug in Firebase Studio’s current build pipeline — it’s being tracked under internal fixes related to the Hot Reload Memory Window. The dev team has acknowledged that large or deeply nested widget trees (especially in Flutter web previews) can cause stale frames to persist until the cache resets.

:white_check_mark: Summary
You’re not doing anything wrong — Firebase Studio’s live preview engine sometimes lags behind actual code updates. The reset sequence above should get your workspace displaying fresh updates again, and if it doesn’t, the “Send Feedback” option (top right corner) will attach logs that help the team patch your specific runtime pattern.

– Antonio | Firebase AI Specialist | WealthSpring Intelligence Network

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Where exactly is the Workspace/environment/reset live preview context menu? These are my options and I don’t see ‘Environment’ anywhere.

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:puzzle_piece: Training Brief — Environment & Live Preview Reset

Operator: Bliss_AISolutions
Skill Tier: Intermediate–Junior
Objective: Locate and manage the “Environment” and “Reset Live Preview” controls inside the Workspace Interface.

:compass: Step-by-Step Overview

:one: Understanding the Layers

Think of the system as having two layers:

  • Workspace Layer: Where you design and test a specific project or app (like Essential Inventory).

  • Environment Layer: Where you set up global settings that apply across all workspaces — such as API keys, test modes, and live preview resets.

Right now, you’re in the Workspace Layer, which is why “Environment” isn’t visible.

:two: How to Access the Environment Settings

Option A — Global Settings Panel

  1. Look at the top-right corner of your main dashboard.

  2. Find the gear icon (:gear:) or your profile picture.

  3. Click it — a dropdown should appear.

  4. Choose one of these options (depending on version):

    • “Environment Settings”

    • “Project Settings”

    • “Developer Options”

  5. Inside that panel, look for a tab labeled Environment Variables or Preview Controls.

Option B — Right-Click Menu on Workspace Name

  1. In the left sidebar, hover over your workspace (e.g., Essential Inventory).

  2. Click the three-dot (⋮) or right-click it.

  3. A menu will appear — sometimes it includes:

    • “Environment”

    • “Reset Live Preview”

    • “Manage Variables”

    • “Duplicate / Delete”

  4. If “Environment” isn’t listed, it means this option is controlled from the top settings (go back to Option A).

:three: Resetting the Live Preview

If your live app view freezes or doesn’t show updates:

  1. Click “Go to Summary” to enter preview mode.

  2. In the bottom-right corner, find a small circular ↻ icon or three-dot (⋮) menu.

  3. Select “Reset Live Preview” or “Reload Environment”.

    • This restarts your sandbox safely without losing your data.

    • Wait for the console logs (bottom panel) to clear and reload before interacting again.

:four: Quick Visual Cues to Remember

Icon Function Where to Find It
:gear: Environment / Project Settings Top bar or profile dropdown
⋮ Workspace Actions Next to your workspace name
↻ Reset Live Preview Bottom-right of preview window
:bar_chart: Logs / Console Bottom tab, shows activity like “GET /documents/inventory”

:white_check_mark: Mission Complete Signal

When done correctly, you’ll see:

  • The console refreshes and new GET requests appear.

  • The preview reloads cleanly.

  • No “stale” cache or frozen state errors remain.

That confirms your environment reset worked.