Node.js CLI Performance & Profiling

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Node.js CLI performance cheat sheets for memory tuning, CPU profiling, heap analysis, coverage, and source-map-aware debugging.

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Memory, Profiling, and Coverage

Tune heap sizes and collect performance data.

Increase max old space size

Raise the V8 heap ceiling in MiB.

↗#

bashANYnodememoryv8

bash

node --max-old-space-size=4096 app.js

Common for builds, SSR, and memory-heavy workloads.

Generate V8 profile log

Record profiling output for CPU analysis.

↗#

bashANYnodeprofilingcpu

bash

node --prof app.js

Useful in performance debugging workflows.

Generate CPU profile

Collect a CPU profile for DevTools analysis.

↗#

bashANYnodeprofilingcpu

bash

node --cpu-prof app.js

Modern performance workflow for realistic workloads.

Generate heap profile

Record heap allocation data.

↗#

bashANYnodeprofilingheap

bash

node --heap-prof app.js

Helpful when tracking memory growth and allocations.

Write heap snapshot on signal

Generate heap snapshots on demand.

↗#

bashANYnodeheapsignals

bash

node --heapsnapshot-signal=SIGUSR2 app.js

Useful for long-running services where you want snapshots without stopping the process.

Trace GC activity

Print V8 garbage collection events.

↗#

bashANYnodegc

bash

node --trace-gc app.js

Helpful when investigating memory pressure or GC pauses.

Write V8 coverage output

Collect coverage JSON into a directory.

↗#

bashANYnodecoveragev8

bash

NODE_V8_COVERAGE=./coverage node app.js

Useful for diagnostics or integrating with coverage tooling.

Enable source maps in stack traces

Map stack traces back to original sources.

↗#

bashANYnodesource-maps

bash

node --enable-source-maps dist/server.js

Important for transpiled TypeScript or bundled code.

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