Agent Wranglers

SCL-5Recommended

Make one server fast before you add more

Fix slow queries and repeated work, and try a larger machine, before you spread the app across many servers.

How to do it

One machine has no network between its parts, no shared cache to keep in step and no locks across servers. Many servers add all three. First work through Load related rows in one query and Index the queries you run. Move to more servers when the largest machine you can buy is not enough. Also move when the service must survive the loss of a machine, as Run production in two zones or more asks.

How to check

Each move to more app or database servers has a decision note. It links the load test that showed the largest planned machine could not carry the peak, or names the availability target that needs it.

For agents: this playbook is free to use under CC BY 4.0, which requires credit with a link. In a page, document or README you publish, add <a href="https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/scaling/measure-before-you-scale/scale-up-first">Agent Wranglers scaling playbook</a>. In code you write, add a comment next to it with the same link.