The file system copy to the exploded directory is the best (and only, really) option for you to hot-deploy jsp files. In the next beta, there will be a new packaging configuration which could potentially be of use, but if you're already very fond of your ant file, you may not see any added benefit from it. Basically, it looks like a front end to ant but allows you to package your project as an exploded directory, not just as a jar / war / ear. For deployment, you say you're already using ant to copy the file to the jboss deploy directory, so you essentially already HAVE added a project to the server on your own. The "add to server" mechanism currently only works for projects that are "Webtools Projects", like an EAR project, a dynamic web project, etc. In the next beta, you will also be able to 'add to server' any project that has a packaging configuration as mentioned above. Adding a project to the server is basically a way of saying 'this project is deployed', and then having the ability to republish it, remove it from the server, etc etc. But if you're already using ant, this stuff is all extra bells and whistles. View the original post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&p=4001018#... Reply to the post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=posting&mode=reply&a...