Configuring the Hosted mode server
Another aspect of gwt-maven-plugin to be familiar with it can help you configure the embedded Servlet container GWT uses in the Hosted Mode shell. The standard src/main/webapp webapp folder is used by gwt-maven-plugin to run the hosted mode server (Jetty).
Using Eclipse
Google Eclipse plugin automatically handle launching the Hosted mode browser with a simple right click on your module gwt.xml file "run as > web application".
Using command line
You can use mvn gwt:run to launch the hosted mode from command line. In such case, the plugin will compile your classes and prepare the exploded webapp structure. The hosted mode is then launched on your webapp.