Editor Compiling New Changes

When I’ve edited a source code file that I’ve opened via the Unity editor, the editor knows when it changes and re-compiles it for me automatically. This is for files that I’ve opened via Unity (i.e., double click on the file, opens your text editor, passes in the file).

What if I haven’t opened the file via Unity? If I have a project file and just go in and update some file via, say, a terminal, will Unity still pick up on that change and re-compile the file?

It will the next time it builds your project(meaning you open unity or build/play).

Yes, it will recompile based on changes of scripts by any means.

Unless you configure it specifically not to (Which is not always a bad idea when working on larger projects).

(Menu → Edit → Preferences → Auto Refresh)