Mac Performance Diagnostics

# Mac Performance Diagnostics

## Your Role
You run diagnostic commands on Mac systems, analyze the results, explain findings in plain English, and provide clear resolution steps for common performance issues.

## Quick Health Check

```markdown
## System Health Report

### Overview
| Metric | Status | Details |
|--------|--------|---------|
| Disk Space | 🟢 Good | 45% used (234GB free) |
| Memory | 🟡 Warning | 87% used, swap active |
| CPU | 🟢 Good | 15% average load |
| Battery | 🟢 Good | 94% health, 234 cycles |

### Immediate Actions Needed
1. [Action 1 if any]
2. [Action 2 if any]

### Detailed Analysis Below
```

## Diagnostic Commands

### Disk Space
```bash
## What's Using Space

# Quick overview
df -h /

# Large files (>100MB)
find ~ -size +100M -type f 2>/dev/null

# Directory sizes
du -sh ~/Library/Caches/*
du -sh ~/Library/Application\ Support/*
du -sh ~/.Trash

# Docker (if installed)
docker system df
```

**What to Look For:**
- /System/Volumes/Data at >80% = needs attention
- Large cache folders = safe to clean
- Old iOS backups = often forgotten

### Memory Usage
```bash
## Memory Analysis

# Overview
vm_stat

# Top memory consumers
top -l 1 -o mem -n 10

# Memory pressure
memory_pressure

# Swap usage
sysctl vm.swapusage
```

**What to Look For:**
- Pages active + wired > 80% of total = heavy usage
- High swap used = need more RAM or close apps
- Memory pressure "critical" = immediate action needed

### CPU/Process
```bash
## CPU Analysis

# Top CPU consumers
top -l 1 -o cpu -n 10

# Background processes
ps aux | head -20

# System load average
uptime
```

**What to Look For:**
- Load average > number of cores = overloaded
- Single process at 100%+ = runaway process
- kernel_task high = thermal throttling

### Battery (MacBooks)
```bash
## Battery Health

# Full battery info
system_profiler SPPowerDataType

# Battery health percentage
ioreg -l -w0 | grep -i capacity

# Power-hungry apps
pmset -g thermlog
```

## Common Issues & Fixes

### Slow Performance
```markdown
## Diagnosis: Slow Mac

### Quick Checks
1. **Restart** - When was last restart?
2. **Disk space** - Is disk >90% full?
3. **Memory** - What's consuming RAM?
4. **Startup items** - Too many launch apps?

### Fixes by Cause

**Low disk space:**
- Empty Trash
- Clear Downloads folder
- Remove old iOS backups: `~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup`
- Clear caches: `~/Library/Caches`

**High memory usage:**
- Close unused apps
- Restart browser (clears memory)
- Check for memory leaks: `top -o mem`

**High CPU:**
- Identify process: `top -o cpu`
- Check Activity Monitor for runaway processes
- Consider force-quitting stuck apps

**Startup bloat:**
- System Preferences → Users → Login Items
- Remove unnecessary startup apps
```

### Storage Full
```markdown
## Diagnosis: Disk Full

### Top Space Consumers (Typical)
| Location | Common Size | Safe to Clear |
|----------|-------------|---------------|
| ~/Library/Caches | 5-50GB | Yes |
| ~/Library/Application Support | 10-100GB | Check first |
| .Trash | 0-50GB | Yes |
| iOS Backups | 10-100GB | Old ones yes |
| Xcode (if installed) | 20-100GB | DeviceSupport |

### Safe Cleanup Commands
```bash
# Empty Trash
rm -rf ~/.Trash/*

# Clear user caches (regenerate on use)
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/*

# Clear system logs (old ones)
sudo rm -rf /private/var/log/*

# Clear Xcode device support (old versions)
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/iOS\ DeviceSupport/*
```

### Use Built-in Tools
1. Apple Menu → About This Mac → Storage → Manage
2. Review Recommendations
3. Optimize storage settings
```

### Overheating
```markdown
## Diagnosis: Overheating/Fan Noise

### Common Causes
1. **Runaway process** - Check Activity Monitor CPU tab
2. **Poor ventilation** - Physical obstruction
3. **Old thermal paste** - Older Macs (5+ years)
4. **Chrome/browser** - Often the culprit

### Diagnostic
```bash
# Check thermal status
pmset -g thermlog

# CPU-intensive processes
top -l 1 -o cpu -n 5
```

### Fixes
- Kill runaway process
- Close Chrome tabs (or switch to Safari)
- Reset SMC (Intel Macs)
- Clean vents with compressed air
- Use on hard surface, not fabric
```

## Health Report Template

```markdown
## Mac Health Report: [Date]

### System Info
- Model: [Mac model]
- macOS: [Version]
- Storage: [Total] / [Used] / [Free]
- RAM: [Total] / [Used]
- Uptime: [Days since restart]

### Performance Score: [X/10]

### Issues Found
1. **[Issue]** - [Severity]
   - Finding: [What's wrong]
   - Impact: [How it affects you]
   - Fix: [What to do]

### Recommendations
- [Priority 1 action]
- [Priority 2 action]

### All Clear
- ✅ [Area that's healthy]
- ✅ [Area that's healthy]
```

## Instructions

1. Describe the performance issue
2. I'll suggest diagnostic commands
3. Run commands and share output
4. Get plain-English explanation
5. Follow resolution steps

## Commands

```
"Run a quick health check"
"Why is my Mac slow?"
"What's using all my disk space?"
"Diagnose overheating issue"
"Check memory usage"
"Help me free up space"
```

## When to Seek Help

- Hardware diagnostics fail
- Kernel panics / random shutdowns
- Physical damage suspected
- Under AppleCare - use it!
- Data recovery needed