Performance Optimization

This guide covers techniques and best practices for optimizing ThinkCode's performance, ensuring it runs smoothly even on large codebases or systems with limited resources.

Understanding ThinkCode Performance

ThinkCode performance is affected by several factors:

• System Resources: CPU, memory, and disk speed
• Project Size: Number and size of files in your workspace
• Extension Load: Number and complexity of active extensions
• AI Feature Usage: Frequency and complexity of AI operations
• Network Connectivity: For cloud-based AI features

Quick Performance Tips

For immediate performance improvements:

1. Update Regularly: Ensure you're using the latest ThinkCode version
2. Limit Active Extensions: Disable extensions you don't actively use
3. Adjust AI Settings: Configure AI settings based on your hardware capabilities
4. Optimize Workspace: Use workspace exclusion patterns for large repositories
5. Use Lightweight Themes: Some themes require less rendering resources

System Requirements and Recommendations

Minimum Requirements

Operating System Optimizations

Windows

• Enable hardware acceleration in Windows settings
• Exclude ThinkCode directories from Windows Defender scanning
• Consider using Windows' high-performance power plan

macOS

• Keep macOS updated to the latest version
• Monitor resource usage with Activity Monitor
• Consider using App Nap disabling utilities for ThinkCode

Linux

• Use a lightweight desktop environment (XFCE, LXDE) for resource-constrained systems
• Configure swap space appropriately (at least equal to RAM size)
• Consider real-time process priority adjustments

Workspace Optimization

Large workspaces can impact performance. Optimize with:

File Exclusion Patterns

Configure workspace exclusion patterns to ignore non-essential files:

// In .thinkcode/settings.json
{
  "files.exclude": {
    "**/.git": true,
    "**/node_modules": true,
    "**/dist": true,
    "**/build": true,
    "**/*.min.js": true,
    "**/*.bundle.js": true
  },
  "search.exclude": {
    "**/node_modules": true,
    "**/bower_components": true,
    "**/*.code-search": true,
    "**/dist": true
  }
}

Workspace Splitting

For very large projects, consider splitting your workspace:

1. Create separate ThinkCode workspaces for different project areas
2. Use multi-root workspaces to combine them when necessary
3. Create dedicated workspaces for high-intensity tasks

AI Performance Optimization

ThinkCode's AI features can be resource-intensive. Optimize them with:

Local vs. Cloud Processing

Choose the appropriate AI processing mode:

• Local Processing: Lower latency, works offline, but requires more system resources
• Cloud Processing: Less resource-intensive locally, but requires network connection
• Hybrid Processing: Automatically selects optimal processing based on task complexity

Configure in Settings:

{
  "thinkcode.ai.processingMode": "hybrid", // Options: "local", "cloud", "hybrid"
  "thinkcode.ai.localProcessingSettings": {
    "maxMemoryUsage": 4096, // Maximum memory (MB) for local AI processing
    "prioritizeResponsiveness": true // Reduce AI resource usage when typing
  }
}

Context Management

Manage how much context is collected for AI features:

{
  "thinkcode.ai.contextManagement": {
    "maxFileSize": 500, // Maximum file size (KB) to include in context
    "maxContextFiles": 10, // Maximum number of files to include
    "excludePatterns": ["**/*.json", "**/*.md"], // Files to exclude from context
    "prioritizeOpenFiles": true // Prioritize currently open files
  }
}

Caching Settings

Configure AI response caching to improve performance:

{
  "thinkcode.ai.caching": {
    "enabled": true,
    "maxCacheSize": 512, // Cache size in MB
    "ttl": 604800, // Time to live in seconds (7 days)
    "persistAcrossRestarts": true
  }
}

Extension Performance Management

Extensions can significantly impact ThinkCode's performance:

Extension Audit

Regularly audit your extensions:

1. Open the Extension view (Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X)
2. Click the "..." menu and select "Show Running Extensions"
3. Look for extensions with high CPU or memory usage
4. Consider disabling or removing problematic extensions

Selective Extension Loading

Configure extensions to load only when needed:

{
  "extensions.autoStartPatterns": {
    "publisher.extension-name": ["**/*.specific-file-type"]
  }
}

Extension Profiling

Use ThinkCode's built-in extension profiler:

1. Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P)
2. Type "Developer: Profile Extensions"
3. Choose "Start" to begin profiling
4. Perform your normal activities for a few minutes
5. Select "Stop" and review the performance report

Memory Management

Optimize memory usage for better performance:

Memory Limits

Configure memory limits in settings:

{
  "thinkcode.performance.memory": {
    "maxHeapSize": 4096, // Maximum heap size in MB
    "garbageCollection": "aggressive", // Options: "default", "conservative", "aggressive"
    "reduceWhenInBackground": true
  }
}

Memory Leak Detection

Enable memory leak detection during development:

{
  "thinkcode.meeloper.memoryMonitoring": {
    "enabled": true,
    "leakDetection": true,
    "showMemoryStatusBar": true
  }
}

Startup Performance

Optimize ThinkCode's startup time:

Delayed Extension Loading

Enable delayed extension loading:

{
  "thinkcode.performance.startupOptimization": {
    "delayExtensionLoading": true,
    "startupTimeout": 5000 // Milliseconds before loading non-critical extensions
  }
}

Startup Profiling

Analyze startup performance:

1. Launch ThinkCode with the --startup-profile flag:

   thinkcode --startup-profile

2. Review the generated startup-profile.json file
3. Identify extensions or components causing slow startup

Monitoring Performance

ThinkCode provides tools to monitor performance:

Built-in Performance Views

1. Open the Command Palette
2. Type "Developer: Open Process Explorer"
3. Monitor CPU and memory usage of ThinkCode processes

Performance Commands

Useful commands for performance management:

• Developer: Startup Performance
• Developer: Open CPU Profile
• Developer: Open Renderer Process
• Developer: Reload Window
• Developer: Open Extension Logs

Troubleshooting Performance Issues

When encountering performance problems:

Common Performance Issues

Performance Logging

Enable detailed performance logging:

{
  "thinkcode.meeloper.logging": {
    "performance": "verbose" // Options: "off", "normal", "verbose"
  }
}

Check logs at: Help → Open Logs Folder → select "performance" log

Reset Performance Settings

If all else fails, reset performance settings:

1. Open the Command Palette
2. Type "Preferences: Reset Performance Settings"
3. Confirm the reset

Performance Best Practices

Follow these guidelines for optimal performance:

1. Regular Maintenance: Update ThinkCode and extensions regularly
2. Extension Discipline: Only install essential extensions
3. Workspace Management: Split large workspaces
4. Resource Monitoring: Regularly check resource usage
5. Settings Optimization: Customize settings for your hardware
6. Memory Management: Restart ThinkCode periodically on long sessions

Advanced Performance Tuning

For power users and administrators:

Remote Development Optimization

When using remote development:

{
  "thinkcode.remote.performance": {
    "optimizeForNetwork": true,
    "localResourceAllocation": "balanced", // Options: "minimal", "balanced", "maximum"
    "remoteResourceAllocation": "maximum"
  }
}

Enterprise Deployment Settings

For enterprise deployments:

{
  "thinkcode.enterprise.performance": {
    "standardizedSettings": true,
    "resourceLimits": {
      "cpu": 75, // Percentage of available CPU
      "memory": 8192 // MB of memory
    },
    "networkOptimization": true
  }
}

Further Resources

• Performance Optimization Guide
• System Requirements
• Troubleshooting Guide
• Enterprise Deployment Guide