diff --git a/spring-boot-project/spring-boot-docs/src/docs/asciidoc/using/devtools.adoc b/spring-boot-project/spring-boot-docs/src/docs/asciidoc/using/devtools.adoc
index e32eed807282..2474847f001f 100644
--- a/spring-boot-project/spring-boot-docs/src/docs/asciidoc/using/devtools.adoc
+++ b/spring-boot-project/spring-boot-docs/src/docs/asciidoc/using/devtools.adoc
@@ -87,7 +87,8 @@ Note that certain resources, such as static assets and view templates, <<using#u
 .Triggering a restart
 ****
 As DevTools monitors classpath resources, the only way to trigger a restart is to update the classpath.
-The way in which you cause the classpath to be updated depends on the IDE that you are using:
+Whether you're using an IDE or one of the build plugins, the modified files have to be recompiled to trigger a restart.
+The way in which you cause the classpath to be updated depends on the tool that you are using:
 
 * In Eclipse, saving a modified file causes the classpath to be updated and triggers a restart.
 * In IntelliJ IDEA, building the project (`Build +->+ Build Project`) has the same effect.
diff --git a/spring-boot-project/spring-boot-tools/spring-boot-gradle-plugin/src/docs/asciidoc/running.adoc b/spring-boot-project/spring-boot-tools/spring-boot-gradle-plugin/src/docs/asciidoc/running.adoc
index 14af91a0762b..7853abde1015 100644
--- a/spring-boot-project/spring-boot-tools/spring-boot-gradle-plugin/src/docs/asciidoc/running.adoc
+++ b/spring-boot-project/spring-boot-tools/spring-boot-gradle-plugin/src/docs/asciidoc/running.adoc
@@ -122,7 +122,10 @@ The preceding example sets the value of the `example` project property to `custo
 
 [[running-your-application.reloading-resources]]
 == Reloading Resources
-If devtools has been added to your project it will automatically monitor your application for changes.
+If devtools has been added to your project it will automatically monitor your application's classpath for changes.
+Note that modified files need to be recompiled for the classpath to update inorder to trigger reloading with devtools.
+For more details on using devtools, refer to {spring-boot-reference}#using.devtools.restart[this section of the reference documentation].
+
 Alternatively, you can configure `bootRun` such that your application's static resources are loaded from their source location:
 
 [source,groovy,indent=0,subs="verbatim,attributes",role="primary"]