
perf
Performance profiling and optimization. Use for benchmarking code, analyzing performance, running Lighthouse audits, and finding hotspots.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/johnlindquist/claude --skill perf- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads perf automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Performance Profiler
Profile, benchmark, and optimize code performance.
Prerequisites
# Node.js for profiling
node --version
# Lighthouse for web perf
npm install -g lighthouse
# Gemini for analysis
pip install google-generativeai
export GEMINI_API_KEY=your_api_key
Benchmarking
Quick Benchmark
# Time a Node.js script
time node script.js
# With memory
/usr/bin/time -l node script.js # macOS
/usr/bin/time -v node script.js # Linux
Node.js Performance Hooks
// benchmark.js
const { performance, PerformanceObserver } = require('perf_hooks');
const obs = new PerformanceObserver((list) => {
console.log(list.getEntries()[0].duration);
});
obs.observe({ entryTypes: ['measure'] });
performance.mark('start');
// Code to benchmark
yourFunction();
performance.mark('end');
performance.measure('duration', 'start', 'end');
Console Timing
console.time('operation');
// Code to time
console.timeEnd('operation'); // Prints: operation: 123.456ms
Node.js Profiling
V8 Profiler
# Generate profile
node --prof script.js
# Process the log
node --prof-process isolate-*.log > profile.txt
Inspect Mode
# Start with inspector
node --inspect script.js
# Break on start
node --inspect-brk script.js
# Open Chrome DevTools
open chrome://inspect
Memory Profiling
# Heap snapshot
node --heapsnapshot-signal=SIGUSR2 script.js
# Then: kill -USR2 <pid>
# Expose GC for testing
node --expose-gc script.js
Lighthouse Audits
Basic Audit
# Full audit
lighthouse https://example.com
# Output to JSON
lighthouse https://example.com --output=json --output-path=report.json
# Output to HTML
lighthouse https://example.com --output=html --output-path=report.html
# Specific categories
lighthouse https://example.com --only-categories=performance
# Mobile vs Desktop
lighthouse https://example.com --preset=desktop
lighthouse https://example.com --preset=mobile # default
Performance Only
lighthouse https://example.com \
--only-categories=performance \
--output=json \
--output-path=perf-report.json
Chrome Flags
# Headless
lighthouse https://example.com --chrome-flags="--headless"
# Custom viewport
lighthouse https://example.com --chrome-flags="--window-size=1920,1080"
AI Performance Analysis
Analyze Code for Performance
CODE=$(cat slow-function.ts)
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "Analyze this code for performance issues:
$CODE
Identify:
1. Time complexity issues
2. Memory leaks or bloat
3. Unnecessary operations
4. Opportunities for optimization
5. Caching opportunities
Provide specific recommendations with code examples."
Analyze Profile Output
PROFILE=$(cat profile.txt)
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "Analyze this Node.js profile:
$PROFILE
Identify:
1. Hot functions (most time spent)
2. Potential bottlenecks
3. Optimization opportunities
4. Priority of fixes"
Finding Hotspots
CPU Hotspots
# Record CPU profile
node --cpu-prof script.js
# Analyze generated .cpuprofile
# Open in Chrome DevTools or use:
npx speedscope *.cpuprofile
Memory Hotspots
# Find large objects
node --heapsnapshot-signal=SIGUSR2 app.js
# Use clinic.js
npx clinic doctor -- node script.js
npx clinic flame -- node script.js
npx clinic bubbleprof -- node script.js
Bundle Analysis
# Webpack
npx webpack-bundle-analyzer stats.json
# Vite
npx vite build --report
# Generic
du -sh dist/*
ls -lhS dist/*.js
Common Patterns
Anti-Patterns to Check
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "Check this code for common performance anti-patterns:
$(cat src/*.ts)
Look for:
- Synchronous I/O in hot paths
- Repeated DOM queries
- Unnecessary re-renders
- N+1 query patterns
- Memory leaks in closures
- Blocking the event loop"
Optimization Checklist
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "Create a performance optimization checklist for:
Application type: [web app / API / CLI]
Stack: [your stack]
Current issues: [symptoms]
Include priority order and estimated impact."
Comparison Benchmarks
Before/After
#!/bin/bash
# benchmark-compare.sh
echo "=== Before optimization ==="
git checkout main
npm install
time npm run benchmark
echo "=== After optimization ==="
git checkout optimization-branch
npm install
time npm run benchmark
A/B Script
#!/bin/bash
# Run same benchmark multiple times
for i in {1..10}; do
echo "Run $i:"
node benchmark.js
done | tee results.txt
# Calculate average
grep "time:" results.txt | awk '{sum+=$2; n++} END {print "Average:", sum/n}'
Best Practices
- Measure first - Don't optimize without data
- Profile production - Dev performance differs
- Automate benchmarks - Track over time
- Focus on hot paths - 80/20 rule
- Test on target devices - Especially mobile
- Monitor after deploy - Verify improvements
- Document baselines - Know what "good" looks like
FAQ
What does the perf skill do?
Performance profiling and optimization. Use for benchmarking code, analyzing performance, running Lighthouse audits, and finding hotspots.
How do I install perf?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/johnlindquist/claude --skill perf in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/perf/ (personal) or .claude/skills/perf/ (project).
Which AI agents can use perf?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is perf safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains perf?
It is published by johnlindquist in johnlindquist/claude. It has 40 recorded installs.
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