linux_system_tuning/ENHANCED_SCANNING.md

Enhanced System Optimization Scanner

🎯 Additional Scanning Opportunities Implemented

1. Extended Browser Support

Now scans for additional browsers:

• Microsoft Edge (~/.cache/microsoft-edge)
• Brave Browser (~/.cache/brave)
• Opera (~/.cache/opera)
• Vivaldi (~/.cache/vivaldi)

2. Development Tool Caches

Node.js/JavaScript:

• NPM cache (~/.npm) - Can be 1GB+
• Node modules and build caches

Python Development:

• pip cache (~/.cache/pip) - Python packages
• Virtual environment caches

IDE/Editor Caches:

• VS Code (~/.vscode) - Extensions and workspace cache
• JetBrains IDEs cache (can add later)

3. KDE/Plasma Desktop Environment

KDE-Specific Caches:

• Baloo indexer (~/.cache/baloo) - File search index (500MB+)
• Plasma shell cache (~/.cache/plasma*)
• KRunner cache (~/.cache/krunner) - Application launcher
• KDE system cache (~/.cache/ksycoca5*)
• GPU shader cache (~/.cache/mesa_shader_cache) - Important for gaming!

Smart KDE Detection:

• Automatically detects KDE/Plasma environment
• Creates dedicated tmpfs mount for KDE caches
• Sizes tmpfs appropriately based on profile

4. Enhanced tmpfs Mount Structure

/tmp/tmpfs-cache/
├── browser/        # All browser caches
├── ide/           # Editor/IDE caches  
├── packages/      # Package manager caches
├── thumbnails/    # File manager thumbnails
├── development/   # Development tool caches (npm, pip, etc.)
└── kde/          # KDE/Plasma specific caches (if detected)

🚀 Future Enhancement Opportunities

High-Priority Additions

1. Gaming Optimizations:

# Steam and gaming caches
~/.steam/steam/appcache
~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/shadercache  # GPU shader cache - CRITICAL!
~/.cache/lutris
~/.cache/wine

2. More Development Tools:

# Container systems
~/.docker/              # Docker user cache
~/.cache/podman        # Podman cache
/var/lib/docker/tmp    # Docker build cache

# Build systems
~/.gradle/caches       # Gradle cache (Java/Android)
~/.m2/repository       # Maven repository 
~/.cache/go-build      # Go build cache
~/.cargo/registry      # Rust cargo cache

3. GNOME Desktop Environment:

~/.cache/gnome-shell   # GNOME Shell cache
~/.cache/tracker       # GNOME file indexer
~/.cache/evolution     # Email client
~/.cache/gstreamer-1.0 # Media framework

4. Package Manager Extensions:

# Universal package managers
/var/lib/flatpak       # Flatpak apps (can be GB!)
/var/lib/snapd/cache   # Snap packages
~/.local/share/flatpak # User Flatpak apps

# Distribution-specific
/var/cache/pacman/pkg  # Arch Linux
/var/cache/yum         # RedHat/CentOS  
/var/cache/dnf         # Fedora
/var/cache/zypper      # OpenSUSE

Advanced Features to Consider

1. Intelligent Profile Detection:

• Gaming profile: Detect Steam, shader caches
• Development profile: Detect IDEs, build tools
• Media profile: Detect video editors, large media caches

2. GPU-Specific Optimizations:

• NVIDIA shader cache optimization
• AMD graphics cache handling
• Intel integrated graphics optimizations

3. SSD-Specific Features:

• SSD wear leveling considerations
• TRIM optimization
• Temporary file placement strategies

4. Network-Based Optimizations:

• Download cache consolidation
• Torrent client cache management
• Browser download folder optimization

📊 Current Implementation Benefits

Smarter Detection:

• Scans 6 browsers instead of 3
• Detects development environment automatically
• KDE environment awareness
• More accurate cache size calculations

Better Recommendations:

• Profile suggestions based on actual cache patterns
• Desktop environment-specific optimizations
• Development workload detection

Enhanced Persistence:

• Environment-aware mount restoration
• Proper tmpfs sizing for detected workloads
• More granular cache categorization

🎯 Next Steps to Implement

1. Gaming Detection: Add Steam/shader cache scanning
2. GNOME Support: Add GNOME-specific cache detection
3. Container Detection: Add Docker/Podman cache scanning
4. Build Tool Detection: Add Gradle/Maven/Cargo cache scanning
5. GPU Optimization: Add shader cache prioritization

The enhanced scanner now provides much more intelligent analysis and recommendations based on the user's actual desktop environment and usage patterns!