performance profiling

---
name: performance-profiling
description: "Performance profiling principles. Measurement, analysis, and optimization techniques."
risk: critical
source: community
date_added: "2026-02-27"
---

# Performance Profiling

> Measure, analyze, optimize - in that order.

## 🔧 Runtime Scripts

**Execute these for automated profiling:**

| Script | Purpose | Usage |
|--------|---------|-------|
| `scripts/lighthouse_audit.py` | Lighthouse performance audit | `python scripts/lighthouse_audit.py https://example.com` |

---

## 1. Core Web Vitals

### Targets

| Metric | Good | Poor | Measures |
|--------|------|------|----------|
| **LCP** | < 2.5s | > 4.0s | Loading |
| **INP** | < 200ms | > 500ms | Interactivity |
| **CLS** | < 0.1 | > 0.25 | Stability |

### When to Measure

| Stage | Tool |
|-------|------|
| Development | Local Lighthouse |
| CI/CD | Lighthouse CI |
| Production | RUM (Real User Monitoring) |

---

## 2. Profiling Workflow

### The 4-Step Process

```
1. BASELINE → Measure current state
2. IDENTIFY → Find the bottleneck
3. FIX → Make targeted change
4. VALIDATE → Confirm improvement
```

### Profiling Tool Selection

| Problem | Tool |
|---------|------|
| Page load | Lighthouse |
| Bundle size | Bundle analyzer |
| Runtime | DevTools Performance |
| Memory | DevTools Memory |
| Network | DevTools Network |

---

## 3. Bundle Analysis

### What to Look For

| Issue | Indicator |
|-------|-----------|
| Large dependencies | Top of bundle |
| Duplicate code | Multiple chunks |
| Unused code | Low coverage |
| Missing splits | Single large chunk |

### Optimization Actions

| Finding | Action |
|---------|--------|
| Big library | Import specific modules |
| Duplicate deps | Dedupe, update versions |
| Route in main | Code split |
| Unused exports | Tree shake |

---

## 4. Runtime Profiling

### Performance Tab Analysis

| Pattern | Meaning |
|---------|---------|
| Long tasks (>50ms) | UI blocking |
| Many small tasks | Possible batching opportunity |
| Layout/paint | Rendering bottleneck |
| Script | JavaScript execution |

### Memory Tab Analysis

| Pattern | Meaning |
|---------|---------|
| Growing heap | Possible leak |
| Large retained | Check references |
| Detached DOM | Not cleaned up |

---

## 5. Common Bottlenecks

### By Symptom

| Symptom | Likely Cause |
|---------|--------------|
| Slow initial load | Large JS, render blocking |
| Slow interactions | Heavy event handlers |
| Jank during scroll | Layout thrashing |
| Growing memory | Leaks, retained refs |

---

## 6. Quick Win Priorities

| Priority | Action | Impact |
|----------|--------|--------|
| 1 | Enable compression | High |
| 2 | Lazy load images | High |
| 3 | Code split routes | High |
| 4 | Cache static assets | Medium |
| 5 | Optimize images | Medium |

---

## 7. Anti-Patterns

| ❌ Don't | ✅ Do |
|----------|-------|
| Guess at problems | Profile first |
| Micro-optimize | Fix biggest issue |
| Optimize early | Optimize when needed |
| Ignore real users | Use RUM data |

---

> **Remember:** The fastest code is code that doesn't run. Remove before optimizing.

## When to Use
This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.

## Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.