diff --git a/gramex/apps/init/minimal/gramex.template.yaml b/gramex/apps/init/minimal/gramex.template.yaml
index d52a226ba..1570917b1 100644
--- a/gramex/apps/init/minimal/gramex.template.yaml
+++ b/gramex/apps/init/minimal/gramex.template.yaml
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+app:
+  watch: false
+
 url:
   {{ appname }}-home:
     pattern: /$YAMLURL/