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FAQ

Robert Trenaman

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is the Linux Swap Optimizer?

The Linux Swap Optimizer is a system service that intelligently manages Linux swap behavior to reduce CPU and system load during AI development and general application usage on low-end systems. It optimizes kernel parameters, prioritizes processes across multiple categories, and adapts to system load in real-time.

What systems does it support?

  • OS: Linux (kernel 3.10+)
  • Distributions: Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 11+, Fedora 35+, Arch Linux, and most modern distributions
  • RAM: Minimum 2GB, recommended 4GB+
  • CPU: Minimum 2 cores, recommended 4+ cores

Do I need root access?

Yes, the optimizer requires root privileges to:

  • Modify kernel parameters via sysctl
  • Adjust process priorities
  • Manage swap devices
  • Install as a system service

Is it safe to use?

Yes, the optimizer includes multiple safety features:

  • Original settings are automatically backed up
  • Conservative default values
  • Easy one-command rollback
  • Graceful error handling
  • No destructive operations

Installation

How do I install it?

cd linux-swap-mod
sudo bash install.sh

The installer will:

  • Copy files to /opt/swap-optimizer/
  • Create config directory at /etc/swap-optimizer/
  • Install Python dependencies
  • Set up systemd service

Can I install it without the script?

Yes, see the manual installation steps in README.md.

How do I uninstall it?

sudo bash UNINSTALL.sh

Or manually:

sudo systemctl stop swap-optimizer
sudo systemctl disable swap-optimizer
sudo rm -rf /opt/swap-optimizer
sudo rm -rf /etc/swap-optimizer
sudo rm /etc/systemd/system/swap-optimizer.service
sudo systemctl daemon-reload

Configuration

Where is the configuration file?

/etc/swap-optimizer/config.json

How do I change the configuration?

sudo nano /etc/swap-optimizer/config.json
# Make changes
sudo systemctl restart swap-optimizer

What is swappiness?

Swappiness controls the kernel's tendency to swap out memory. Lower values keep more data in RAM, higher values swap more aggressively. The optimizer defaults to 10 (vs system default of 60).

What is aggressive mode?

When enabled, aggressive mode disables swap entirely when memory usage is below 70%. Only use this on systems with adequate RAM (8GB+).

How do I add my own processes to prioritize?

Edit the ai_processes array in config.json:

"ai_processes": [
  "python", "node", "code", "cursor",
  "my-custom-app"
]

Can I have multiple configurations?

Yes, create different config files and specify which to use:

sudo python3 /opt/swap-optimizer/swap_optimizer.py \
  --monitor \
  --config /path/to/custom-config.json

Usage

How do I start the optimizer?

sudo systemctl start swap-optimizer

How do I make it start automatically?

sudo systemctl enable swap-optimizer

How do I check if it's running?

sudo systemctl status swap-optimizer

Can I run it without the service?

Yes, for one-time optimization:

sudo python3 /opt/swap-optimizer/swap_optimizer.py --optimize

For manual monitoring:

sudo python3 /opt/swap-optimizer/swap_optimizer.py --monitor

How do I see current status?

sudo python3 /opt/swap-optimizer/swap_optimizer.py --status

How do I restore original settings?

sudo python3 /opt/swap-optimizer/swap_optimizer.py --restore

Performance

Will this improve my system's performance?

Most users see:

  • 40-60% reduction in swap activity
  • 15-25% reduction in CPU load during AI workloads
  • Elimination of IDE stuttering and lag
  • Better overall system responsiveness

How much CPU does the optimizer use?

Typically less than 2% CPU overhead:

  • Monitoring: < 1%
  • Optimization: < 0.5%
  • Total: < 2%

How much memory does it use?

Approximately 20-50MB RSS depending on the number of processes being tracked.

Will it work on systems with 2GB RAM?

Yes, but use the low-end system profile with conservative settings. See Performance-Tuning.md for details.

Can it cause system instability?

When configured properly, no. However:

  • Never set swappiness to 0
  • Don't enable aggressive_mode on low RAM
  • Keep min_free_kbytes reasonable
  • Test changes gradually

Troubleshooting

The service won't start

Check the service status:

sudo systemctl status swap-optimizer

View logs:

sudo journalctl -u swap-optimizer -n 50

Common issues:

  • Missing Python dependencies: sudo pip3 install psutil
  • Permission issues: Ensure running as root
  • Invalid config: Validate JSON with python3 -m json.tool

Settings aren't applying

Verify sysctl access:

sudo sysctl -w vm.swappiness=10

If this fails, install procps:

sudo apt-get install procps

System became slow after optimization

Immediately restore original settings:

sudo python3 /opt/swap-optimizer/swap_optimizer.py --restore

Then review your configuration, particularly:

  • swappiness (should be ≥ 5)
  • aggressive_mode (disable on low RAM)
  • min_free_kbytes (don't set too high)

How do I see what's happening?

Enable debug logging in config.json:

{
  "log_level": "DEBUG"
}

Then watch logs:

sudo journalctl -u swap-optimizer -f

Advanced

Can I use it with Docker?

Yes, add "docker" to the ai_processes array:

"ai_processes": ["python", "node", "docker", ...]

Does it work with virtual machines?

Yes, but VMs have additional overhead. Ensure the VM has adequate resources allocated.

Can it manage GPU memory?

No, it only manages system RAM. GPU memory must be managed separately (e.g., with nvidia-smi).

Does it work with ZRAM?

Yes, ZRAM and the optimizer can work together. ZRAM provides compressed RAM swap, while the optimizer manages overall swap behavior.

Can I integrate it with my own scripts?

Yes, you can:

  • Call the script directly from your scripts
  • Use the --status output for monitoring
  • Modify the source code for custom behavior

Comparison

How is this different from just changing swappiness?

The optimizer provides:

  • Multiple parameter tuning (not just swappiness)
  • Process priority management across 5 categories
  • Adaptive real-time adjustment
  • AI/IDE process detection
  • General application optimization
  • OS-level kernel optimizations
  • Automatic backup and rollback

Why not just use the default Linux settings?

Default settings are generic and not optimized for:

  • AI/ML workloads
  • Low-end systems
  • IDE responsiveness
  • Development workflows
  • General desktop usage
  • Interactive applications

The optimizer provides targeted optimization for these specific use cases.

How does this compare to other swap managers?

Most swap managers only adjust swappiness. The optimizer provides:

  • Comprehensive parameter tuning
  • Process-aware optimization across 5 categories
  • Adaptive behavior
  • AI/IDE specific features
  • General application optimization
  • OS-level kernel optimizations
  • Low-end system focus

Support

Where can I get help?

  1. Check this FAQ
  2. Read the Troubleshooting guide
  3. Review the Configuration guide
  4. Check the wiki documentation

How do I report a bug?

Collect diagnostic information:

uname -a
free -h
sudo systemctl status swap-optimizer
sudo journalctl -u swap-optimizer -n 50
sudo cat /etc/swap-optimizer/config.json

Include this information in your bug report.

Can I request features?

Yes, feature requests are welcome. Consider:

  • Feasibility on Linux
  • Relevance to AI/IDE workloads
  • Low-end system compatibility
  • Safety implications

Safety and Security

Is it safe to run on production systems?

Yes, with proper testing:

  • Test in staging first
  • Start with conservative settings
  • Monitor closely after deployment
  • Have rollback plan ready

Does it send data anywhere?

No, the optimizer:

  • Makes no network connections
  • Has no telemetry
  • Stores no data externally
  • Works entirely locally

What are the security implications?

The optimizer:

  • Requires root access (by design)
  • Modifies kernel parameters
  • Adjusts process priorities
  • Should be treated as a privileged service

Can it be used in multi-user environments?

Yes, but:

  • All users benefit from system-wide optimization
  • Process prioritization affects all users
  • Configuration is system-wide

Updates and Maintenance

How do I update to a new version?

# Backup current config
sudo cp /etc/swap-optimizer/config.json /etc/swap-optimizer/config.json.backup

# Run new installer
sudo bash install.sh

# Restore config if needed
sudo cp /etc/swap-optimizer/config.json.backup /etc/swap-optimizer/config.json

Do I need to restart after updates?

Yes, restart the service:

sudo systemctl restart swap-optimizer

How often should I review the configuration?

Review when:

  • System hardware changes
  • Workload changes significantly
  • Performance issues arise
  • New version is released

Miscellaneous

Can I run it alongside other optimization tools?

Generally yes, but be aware of:

  • Potential parameter conflicts
  • Overlapping functionality
  • Increased complexity

Does it work with different filesystems?

Yes, it works with any Linux filesystem (ext4, xfs, btrfs, etc.) as it operates at the kernel level, not filesystem level.

Can I use it on a laptop?

Yes, and it's particularly beneficial for laptops with limited RAM. Consider:

  • Lower swappiness on battery
  • Adjusting check_interval for power
  • Monitoring thermal impact

What's the impact on battery life?

Minimal to positive impact:

  • Reduced swap activity = less disk I/O
  • Lower CPU usage = less power
  • Overall: potentially better battery life

Last Updated: 2026-07-03
Version: 2.0.0

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