Recent changes to Backgroundog Service

Backgroundog Service modified by Bayram Emekli

Bayram Emekli — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:15:52 -0000

--- v4
+++ v5
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
 | **BIOS** | WMI `Win32_BIOS` | Name, Caption, Version, Description, ReleaseDate, Manufacturer, SerialNumber, CurrentLanguage. One-shot. |
 | **Date** | `DateTime.Now` | Refreshed every tick. |
 | **Ping** | `Skylark.Standard.Extension.Ping` | Host chosen by the `PingType` setting (default `"Bing"`); 1000 ms timeout. Only when online (`Network.GetHostEntryAsync`). |
-| **Audio** | NPSMLib + WASAPI | Only when `AudioRequired` is on. See the two sections below. |
+| **Audio** | Playhead + WASAPI | Only when `AudioRequired` is on. See the two sections below. |
 | **Memory** | `GlobalMemoryStatusEx` (Skylark.Wing) | Physical + virtual (page file) in GB; `MemoryLoad` %. |
 | **Battery** | WMI `Win32_Battery` + `Skylark.Wing.Utility.Power` | AC status, energy saver, life %, power plan. |
 | **Graphic** | `VorticeAdapterEnumerator` (DXGI) + "GPU Engine" perf counters | Adapter list persisted to the `GraphicInterfaces` system setting; first adapter auto-selected; usage read by LUID and clamped to 0–100. |
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@

 ## Now-playing metadata

-`Extension/AudioSession.cs` uses **NPSMLib** (`NowPlayingSessionManager` / `MediaPlaybackDataSource`). On `SessionListChanged` it reads:
+`Extension/AudioSession.cs` uses **Playhead** (`NowPlayingSessionManager` / `MediaPlaybackDataSource`). On `SessionListChanged` it reads:


 - `MediaObjectInfo` — Title, Artist, Subtitle, AlbumTitle, AlbumArtist, TrackNumber, AlbumTrackCount, MediaType.
 - `MediaPlaybackInfo` — RepeatMode, PlaybackRate/Mode/State, ShuffleEnabled, PropsValid, LastPlayingFileTime. (SourceAppId is read from the NowPlayingSession, not from MediaPlaybackInfo.)

Backgroundog Service modified by Bayram Emekli

Bayram Emekli — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:15:50 -0000

--- v3
+++ v4
@@ -99,14 +99,14 @@
 The audio spectrum is produced by `Extension/AudioVisualizer.cs` and only runs when `AudioRequired` is on.


 - **Capture:** `NAudio.Wave.WasapiLoopbackCapture` records the system output ("what you hear"). The class implements `IMMNotificationClient` and recreates the capture when the default render device changes (`OnDefaultDeviceChanged` for `DataFlow.Render`).
-- **Pipeline** per `DataAvailable` buffer:
-  1. Wrap in a `WaveBuffer`, taking length `FloatBuffer.Length / 8`.
-  2. Build a `Complex[]` and run an **FFT** via `MathNet.Numerics.IntegralTransforms.Fourier.Forward` (`FourierOptions.Default`).
-  3. Keep the last `VerticalSmoothness = 2` FFT frames; produce `MaxSample = 128` output bins.
-  4. Smooth with `HorizontalSmoothness = 1` plus a multi-frame average → a `double[128]` magnitude array.
-  5. Fire `AudioDataAvailable`, storing the array into `AudioData.Data`.
-
-The result is the 128-sample spectrum exposed to web wallpapers as `Audio.Data` — `Data[0]` is approximately the bass band, and an all-zero array means silence. Libraries: **NAudio**, **MathNet.Numerics**. See [Audio API](Create-Audio-API) for the JavaScript side.
+- **Pipeline** (the ring buffer is fed on every `DataAvailable` callback; the FFT + emit are throttled to ~60 Hz, i.e. once every `EmitIntervalMs = 16` ms):
+  1. De-interleave the captured samples into per-channel **left/right ring buffers** of fixed size `FftSize = 4096`, decoupled from the WASAPI callback buffer size so the bin→frequency mapping stays deterministic. Sample reads are format-robust (float32 / PCM16 / PCM32).
+  2. Apply a **Hann window** and run **two FFTs** (left and right) via `MathNet.Numerics.IntegralTransforms.Fourier.Forward` with `FourierOptions.NoScaling` (keeps the magnitude scale deterministic for the full-scale reference).
+  3. Collapse each FFT into **`MaxSample = 128` logarithmic frequency bands** spanning **20 Hz – 16 kHz** (peak magnitude per band), computed for mono, left, and right. Mono = `|(L + R) / 2|`.
+  4. In `Finalize`: normalise each band to **`[0, 1]`** (linear magnitude × high-frequency tilt ÷ full-scale reference × `LinearGain = 2.5`, minus `NoiseFloor = 0.01`, then clamped), apply **asymmetric attack/decay smoothing** (`AttackSpeed = 0.35` fast rise, `ReleaseSpeed = 0.06` slow fall) per bin, then **neighbour-bin smoothing** (`HorizontalSmoothness = 1`) → a `double[128]` array per channel.
+  5. Fire `AudioDataAvailable`, storing the three arrays into `AudioData.Data` (mono), `AudioData.DataLeft`, and `AudioData.DataRight`.
+
+The result is the 128-sample mono spectrum exposed to web wallpapers as `Audio.Data`, with the per-channel `Audio.DataLeft` / `Audio.DataRight` alongside it. All three are 128 bins logarithmically mapped across 20 Hz – 16 kHz, each normalised to `[0, 1]`; `Data[0]` is the lowest (bass) band and an all-zero array means silence. A high-frequency tilt (+2 dB/octave) keeps treble content visible against music's natural roll-off. Libraries: **NAudio**, **MathNet.Numerics**. See [Audio API](Create-Audio-API) for the JavaScript side.

 ## Now-playing metadata

@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@
 |---|---|
 | **Bios** | `Name, State, Caption, Version, Description, ReleaseDate, Manufacturer, SerialNumber, CurrentLanguage` |
 | **Date** | `Day, Hour, Year, Month, State, Minute, Second, Kind, DayOfYear, Millisecond, DayOfWeek` |
-| **Audio** | `State, Title, Artist, Subtitle, AlbumTitle, Data, AlbumArtist, SourceAppId, TrackNumber, MediaType, PlaybackRate, PropsValid, RepeatMode, ShuffleEnabled, PlaybackMode, AlbumTrackCount, ThumbnailString, PlaybackState, EndTime, Position, StartTime, LastPlayingFileTime, PositionSetFileTime, MaxSeekTime, MinSeekTime` |
+| **Audio** | `State, Title, Artist, Subtitle, AlbumTitle, Data, DataLeft, DataRight, AlbumArtist, SourceAppId, TrackNumber, MediaType, PlaybackRate, PropsValid, RepeatMode, ShuffleEnabled, PlaybackMode, AlbumTrackCount, ThumbnailString, PlaybackState, EndTime, Position, StartTime, LastPlayingFileTime, PositionSetFileTime, MaxSeekTime, MinSeekTime` |
 | **Memory** | `Name, State, MemoryLoad, MemoryUsed, VirtualName, MemoryAvailable, VirtualMemoryLoad, VirtualMemoryUsed, VirtualMemoryAvailable` |
 | **Battery** | `Name, State, Status, Chemistry, SavingMode, BatteryFlag, Description, LifePercent, SaverStatus, FullLifetime, ACPowerStatus, DesignVoltage, LifeRemaining, ChargeStatus, BatteryLifeTime, PowerPlanType, EstimatedRunTime, EnergySaverType, PowerLineStatus, BatteryLifePercent, BatteryFullLifeTime, EstimatedChargeRemaining` |
 | **Graphic** | `Max, Min, Now, Name, State, Manufacturer` |
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@
 | **Processor** | `Max, Min, Now, Core, Name, Type, Cores, State, Thread, CoresMax, CoresMin, CoresNow, ProcessorCount` |
 | **Motherboard** | `Name, State, Product, Version, Manufacturer` |

-Every object carries a `State` boolean indicating whether its data is valid for the current tick. The `Audio.Data` field is the 128-sample FFT spectrum described above. For the JavaScript-side shape of these objects, see [System API](Create-System-API) and [Audio API](Create-Audio-API).
+Every object carries a `State` boolean indicating whether its data is valid for the current tick. The `Audio.Data` field is the 128-sample mono FFT spectrum described above; `Audio.DataLeft` / `Audio.DataRight` are the per-channel spectra (same 128-value `[0, 1]` shape). For the JavaScript-side shape of these objects, see [System API](Create-System-API) and [Audio API](Create-Audio-API).

 ## Settings

Backgroundog Service modified by Bayram Emekli

Bayram Emekli — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:15:45 -0000

--- v2
+++ v3
@@ -113,8 +113,8 @@
 `Extension/AudioSession.cs` uses **NPSMLib** (`NowPlayingSessionManager` / `MediaPlaybackDataSource`). On `SessionListChanged` it reads:


 - `MediaObjectInfo` — Title, Artist, Subtitle, AlbumTitle, AlbumArtist, TrackNumber, AlbumTrackCount, MediaType.
-- `MediaPlaybackInfo` — RepeatMode, PlaybackRate/Mode/State, ShuffleEnabled, PropsValid, LastPlayingFileTime, SourceAppId.
-- `MediaTimelineProperties` — EndTime, Position, StartTime, Min/MaxSeekTime, PositionSetFileTime (times reported in **TotalMilliseconds**).
+- `MediaPlaybackInfo` — RepeatMode, PlaybackRate/Mode/State, ShuffleEnabled, PropsValid, LastPlayingFileTime. (SourceAppId is read from the NowPlayingSession, not from MediaPlaybackInfo.)
+- `MediaTimelineProperties` — EndTime, Position, StartTime, Min/MaxSeekTime (reported in **TotalMilliseconds**), plus PositionSetFileTime (a DateTime, serialized as-is — not a millisecond value).
 - A thumbnail stream, Base64-encoded into `AudioData.ThumbnailString`.

 `AudioData.State` indicates whether a media session currently exists.

Backgroundog Service modified by Bayram Emekli

Bayram Emekli — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:15:43 -0000

--- v1
+++ v2
@@ -34,7 +34,20 @@

 `Internal.Exit` defaults to `true`. When there is **no live wallpaper** after a retry sequence, `Attempt.Start()` sets `Exit = false` and the service terminates itself — Backgroundog never lingers without a wallpaper to feed.

-> 🖼️ **Diagram needed:** Backgroundog lifecycle — on-demand launch via Commandog → single-instance gate → Initialize loop (Specification + Performance/Condition/Attempt) → self-exit when no live wallpaper.

+    :::mermaid
+    flowchart TD
+        Cmd["Commandog: ✔Backgroundog✖<path>"] --> Gate{"Instance.Basic
single-instance gate"}
+        Gate -->|already running| Stop1["exit"]
+        Gate -->|first instance| Init["Initialize.Start()"]
+        Init --> Loop["Loop: AppTime = 1000 ms
InitializeTimer tick = 100 ms"]
+        Loop --> Spec["Specification.Start()
collect all sensors"]
+        Spec --> Pick{"live wallpaper?"}
+        Pick -->|"running, not paused"| Perf["Performance.Start()
should a rule trip?"]
+        Pick -->|"paused / closed"| Cond["Condition.Start()
should it resume?"]
+        Pick -->|none| Attempt["Attempt.Start()
retry Run() up to 5x"]
+        Attempt -->|nothing starts| Exit["Exit = false
service self-terminates"]
+        Perf --> Loop
+        Cond --> Loop

 ## Timers and timing constants

@@ -118,7 +131,17 @@

 The active transport is selected by the `CommunicationType` setting (default `Transmission`) on the engine side; the producer reads the `*Required`/`TransmissionPort` flags the engine sets. The payload is JSON-serialized with Newtonsoft (`Formatting.None`, `TypeNameHandling.None`). Only the **WebView** and **CefSharp** engines consume this channel (`#if LIVE_WEBVIEW || LIVE_CEFSHARP`). See [IPC](IPC) for the full transport mechanics.

-> 🖼️ **Diagram needed:** Backgroundog data pump — Specification.Start() builds the 10-JObject payload → branches on PipeRequired/SignalRequired/TransmissionRequired → WebView/CefSharp Web.cs server → JS bridge ExecuteScriptAsync.

+    :::mermaid
+    flowchart LR
+        Spec["Specification.Start()
builds 10-JObject payload
Bios/Date/Audio/Memory/Battery/
Graphic/Network/Storage/Processor/Motherboard"]
+        Spec -->|PipeRequired| Pipe["StartClient(json)
Backgroundog.Pipe"]
+        Spec -->|SignalRequired| Signal["FileSave
Backgroundog-<guid>.sgnl"]
+        Spec -->|TransmissionRequired| Trans["TCP loopback
: TransmissionPort"]
+        Pipe --> Web["WebView / CefSharp
Web.cs server"]
+        Signal --> Web
+        Trans --> Web
+        Web --> Exec["Compatible hooks
ExecuteScriptAsync"]
+        Exec --> JS["Wallpaper JS
SucroseAudioData / Sucrose<X>Data"]

 ## The data contract (field reference)

Backgroundog Service modified by Bayram Emekli

Bayram Emekli — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:15:17 -0000

Backgroundog Service

Sucrose.Backgroundog.exe is the headless, long-running background service behind Sucrose's audio-reactive and system-status APIs. It continuously collects machine telemetry (CPU, GPU, RAM, network, storage, battery, BIOS, motherboard, date) plus the now-playing audio metadata and a live FFT audio spectrum, then pushes that data to the running wallpaper over one of three interchangeable transports (Pipe, Signal, or Transmission). It also acts as the engine that enforces Sucrose's performance/pause rules — deciding when to pause, suspend, or close the wallpaper based on conditions like screen lock, full-screen apps, battery level, and CPU/GPU/RAM thresholds. This page is for developers and power users who want to understand exactly what Backgroundog does, what data it emits, and how its timing and settings work.

Role and lifecycle
Timers and timing constants
Sensor collection
Audio visualizer (FFT)
Now-playing metadata
Output channels and the JSON payload
The data contract (field reference)
Settings
Performance / pause enforcement
Windows session listener
See also

Role and lifecycle

Backgroundog is a console (hidden) process with a long-running loop. It is not started directly; it is launched on demand through the command bus when a wallpaper needs it:

✔Backgroundog✖<path-to-Sucrose.Backgroundog.exe>

The Launcher/engine spawns it (via Commandog) when PerformanceCounter is enabled, before the engine itself starts.

Startup sequence (App.Main):

SSDHG.Configure() (high-performance GPU) + SSDHR.Configure() (private runtime), UTF-8 console encoding, set thread culture from the Culture setting.
Single-instance guard: Instance.Basic(Mutex.Backgroundog, App.Backgroundog) — the global mutex {Sucrose-Wallpaper-Engine-Backgroundog} plus a WorkCount <= 1 check (see Single-Instance & Mutexes).
Security.Apply().
Initialize.Start(), then the loop: do { Initialize.Dispose(); await Task.Delay(AppTime = 1000 ms); } while (Exit).
On stop: Initialize.Stop().

Internal.Exit defaults to true. When there is no live wallpaper after a retry sequence, Attempt.Start() sets Exit = false and the service terminates itself — Backgroundog never lingers without a wallpaper to feed.

🖼️ Diagram needed: Backgroundog lifecycle — on-demand launch via Commandog → single-instance gate → Initialize loop (Specification + Performance/Condition/Attempt) → self-exit when no live wallpaper.

Timers and timing constants

All timing constants live in Manage/Internal.cs (milliseconds):

Constant	Value	Meaning
`AppTime`	`1000`	Outer loop delay.
`InitializeTime`	`100`	Base tick unit; the `InitializeTimer` fires every 100 ms.
`InitializeDueTime`	`3000` (`100 × 30`)	Delay before the first tick.
`SpecificationLessTime`	`1000`	Cadence for light sensors.
`SpecificationTime`	`2000`	Cadence for standard sensors.
`SpecificationMaxTime`	`3000`	Re-entrancy cool-down for the heavy pass.
`SpecificationPeakTime`	`10000`	Cadence for expensive sensors (e.g. storage WMI).

Each tick (Initialize.InitializeTimer_Callback):

Specification.Start() — collect all sensors as fire-and-forget tasks.
If a Processing re-entrancy flag allows it, run exactly one of:
Performance.Start() — when a live wallpaper is running and not already paused (checks whether a rule should trip).
Condition.Start() — when already paused/closed (checks whether to resume).
Attempt.Start() — when there is no live wallpaper.

A Processing flag ensures only one heavy pass runs at a time, then waits SpecificationMaxTime.

Sensor collection

Specification.Start() launches each sensor in its own Task.Run, guarded by a per-sensor boolean flag (e.g. BiosManagement, PingManagement, AudioManagement, ProcessorManagement2, GraphicManagement2, NetworkManagement2, StorageManagement2, etc.) so a slow sensor never blocks the rest.

Sensor	Source	Notes
BIOS	WMI `Win32_BIOS`	Name, Caption, Version, Description, ReleaseDate, Manufacturer, SerialNumber, CurrentLanguage. One-shot.
Date	`DateTime.Now`	Refreshed every tick.
Ping	`Skylark.Standard.Extension.Ping`	Host chosen by the `PingType` setting (default `"Bing"`); 1000 ms timeout. Only when online (`Network.GetHostEntryAsync`).
Audio	NPSMLib + WASAPI	Only when `AudioRequired` is on. See the two sections below.
Memory	`GlobalMemoryStatusEx` (Skylark.Wing)	Physical + virtual (page file) in GB; `MemoryLoad` %.
Battery	WMI `Win32_Battery` + `Skylark.Wing.Utility.Power`	AC status, energy saver, life %, power plan.
Graphic	`VorticeAdapterEnumerator` (DXGI) + "GPU Engine" perf counters	Adapter list persisted to the `GraphicInterfaces` system setting; first adapter auto-selected; usage read by LUID and clamped to 0–100.
Network	`Network.InstanceNetworkInterfaces()` + "Network Interface" perf counters	Interface list persisted to `NetworkInterfaces`; first auto-selected; "Bytes Sent/sec" & "Bytes Received/sec" → Upload/Download/Total.
Storage	WMI `Win32_LogicalDisk` + "LogicalDisk"/"PhysicalDisk" perf counters	Collected on the slow (`SpecificationPeakTime`, 10 s) cadence.
CPU	WMI `Win32_Processor` + "Processor / % Processor Time" perf counters	`_Total` and per-core (`0..ProcessorCount-1`); builds the `Cores` array with min/max flags.
Motherboard	WMI `Win32_BaseBoard`	Product, Version, Manufacturer; `Name = "<Manufacturer> <Product>"`.
Remote / Virtual / FullScreen / Focus	Skylark.Wing helpers	Collected only when the matching performance rule is non-`Resume` (or already active).

Perfomance-counter collection is gated by the PerformanceCounter setting (default true).

Audio visualizer (FFT)

The audio spectrum is produced by Extension/AudioVisualizer.cs and only runs when AudioRequired is on.

Capture: NAudio.Wave.WasapiLoopbackCapture records the system output ("what you hear"). The class implements IMMNotificationClient and recreates the capture when the default render device changes (OnDefaultDeviceChanged for DataFlow.Render).
Pipeline per DataAvailable buffer:
Wrap in a WaveBuffer, taking length FloatBuffer.Length / 8.
Build a Complex[] and run an FFT via MathNet.Numerics.IntegralTransforms.Fourier.Forward (FourierOptions.Default).
Keep the last VerticalSmoothness = 2 FFT frames; produce MaxSample = 128 output bins.
Smooth with HorizontalSmoothness = 1 plus a multi-frame average → a double[128] magnitude array.
Fire AudioDataAvailable, storing the array into AudioData.Data.

The result is the 128-sample spectrum exposed to web wallpapers as Audio.Data — Data[0] is approximately the bass band, and an all-zero array means silence. Libraries: NAudio, MathNet.Numerics. See Audio API for the JavaScript side.

Now-playing metadata

Extension/AudioSession.cs uses NPSMLib (NowPlayingSessionManager / MediaPlaybackDataSource). On SessionListChanged it reads:

MediaObjectInfo — Title, Artist, Subtitle, AlbumTitle, AlbumArtist, TrackNumber, AlbumTrackCount, MediaType.
MediaPlaybackInfo — RepeatMode, PlaybackRate/Mode/State, ShuffleEnabled, PropsValid, LastPlayingFileTime, SourceAppId.
MediaTimelineProperties — EndTime, Position, StartTime, Min/MaxSeekTime, PositionSetFileTime (times reported in TotalMilliseconds).
A thumbnail stream, Base64-encoded into AudioData.ThumbnailString.

AudioData.State indicates whether a media session currently exists.

Output channels and the JSON payload

After collection, Specification.Start() builds a single payload of 10 JObject fields and pushes it over whichever channel(s) are enabled. All channels are gated on !Condition (data is not sent while the wallpaper is paused/closed).

Channel	Enabled when	Target
Pipe	`PipeRequired`	`BackgroundogManager.StartClient(json)` → pipe `"Sucrose.Wallpaper.Engine.Backgroundog.Pipe"`.
Signal	`SignalRequired`	`BackgroundogManager.FileSave<…>(…)` → writes `Backgroundog-<guid>.sgnl` under `%AppData%\Sucrose\Cache\SignalT`.
Transmission	`TransmissionRequired`	TCP to `Loopback:TransmissionPort`. Default transport.

The active transport is selected by the CommunicationType setting (default Transmission) on the engine side; the producer reads the *Required/TransmissionPort flags the engine sets. The payload is JSON-serialized with Newtonsoft (Formatting.None, TypeNameHandling.None). Only the WebView and CefSharp engines consume this channel (#if LIVE_WEBVIEW || LIVE_CEFSHARP). See IPC for the full transport mechanics.

🖼️ Diagram needed: Backgroundog data pump — Specification.Start() builds the 10-JObject payload → branches on PipeRequired/SignalRequired/TransmissionRequired → WebView/CefSharp Web.cs server → JS bridge ExecuteScriptAsync.

The data contract (field reference)

The 10 JObjects (Pipe.Interface.Backgroundog) are: Bios, Date, Audio, Memory, Battery, Graphic, Network, Storage, Processor, Motherboard. Their inner field names (from Extension/Data.cs) are the public data contract for wallpaper authors:

Object	Fields
Bios	`Name, State, Caption, Version, Description, ReleaseDate, Manufacturer, SerialNumber, CurrentLanguage`
Date	`Day, Hour, Year, Month, State, Minute, Second, Kind, DayOfYear, Millisecond, DayOfWeek`
Audio	`State, Title, Artist, Subtitle, AlbumTitle, Data, AlbumArtist, SourceAppId, TrackNumber, MediaType, PlaybackRate, PropsValid, RepeatMode, ShuffleEnabled, PlaybackMode, AlbumTrackCount, ThumbnailString, PlaybackState, EndTime, Position, StartTime, LastPlayingFileTime, PositionSetFileTime, MaxSeekTime, MinSeekTime`
Memory	`Name, State, MemoryLoad, MemoryUsed, VirtualName, MemoryAvailable, VirtualMemoryLoad, VirtualMemoryUsed, VirtualMemoryAvailable`
Battery	`Name, State, Status, Chemistry, SavingMode, BatteryFlag, Description, LifePercent, SaverStatus, FullLifetime, ACPowerStatus, DesignVoltage, LifeRemaining, ChargeStatus, BatteryLifeTime, PowerPlanType, EstimatedRunTime, EnergySaverType, PowerLineStatus, BatteryLifePercent, BatteryFullLifeTime, EstimatedChargeRemaining`
Graphic	`Max, Min, Now, Name, State, Manufacturer`
Network	`Host, Name, Ping, State, Total, Online, Upload, Download, PingData, TotalData, UploadData, PingAddress, DownloadData, FormatTotalData, FormatUploadData, FormatDownloadData`
Storage	`State, Drivers, LogicalDrivers, PhysicalDrivers` (each a JArray of disks)
Processor	`Max, Min, Now, Core, Name, Type, Cores, State, Thread, CoresMax, CoresMin, CoresNow, ProcessorCount`
Motherboard	`Name, State, Product, Version, Manufacturer`

Every object carries a State boolean indicating whether its data is valid for the current tick. The Audio.Data field is the 128-sample FFT spectrum described above. For the JavaScript-side shape of these objects, see System API and Audio API.

Settings

Backgroundog reads its configuration from the Backgroundog settings store. Keys, defaults, and clamp ranges:

Setting	Default	Range / Type	Effect
`AudioRequired`	`false`	bool	Enable audio capture + FFT visualizer.
`PipeRequired`	`false`	bool	Enable Pipe output.
`SignalRequired`	`false`	bool	Enable Signal output.
`TransmissionRequired`	`false`	bool	Enable TCP (Transmission) output.
`TransmissionPort`	`0`	0–65535	Loopback port (set dynamically at engine start).
`CommunicationType`	`Transmission`	`Pipe / Signal / Transmission`	Active live-data transport.
`PerformanceCounter`	`true`	bool	Enable perf-counter sensors + start Backgroundog with the wallpaper.
`PingType`	`"Bing"`	string (host key)	Host used for the network ping.
`PingValue`	`100`	0–1000 (ms)	Ping threshold for the Network performance rule.
`UploadValue`	`800`	0–99999999	Upload threshold.
`UploadType`	`Kilobyte`	`Skylark.Enum.StorageType`	Upload threshold unit.
`DownloadValue`	`10`	0–99999999	Download threshold.
`DownloadType`	`Megabyte`	StorageType	Download threshold unit.
`ProcessorUsage`	`70`	0–100 (%)	CPU pause threshold.
`GraphicUsage`	`70`	0–100 (%)	GPU pause threshold.
`MemoryUsage`	`80`	0–100 (%)	RAM pause threshold.
`BatteryUsage`	`50`	0–100 (%)	Battery pause threshold.
`NetworkAdapter`	`""`	string	Selected network adapter (auto-selected).
`GraphicAdapter`	`""`	string	Selected GPU adapter (auto-selected).
`PausePerformance` / `ClosePerformance`	`false`	bool	Transient state flags written by the service.

The per-trigger performance modes (LockPerformance, SleepPerformance, BatteryPerformance, etc.) and PausePerformanceType are surfaced on the Settings → Performance page. See Performance Rules for what each rule does.

Performance / pause enforcement

Backgroundog owns the auto-pause logic. Performance.Start() evaluates rules in this fixed order:

Lock → Focus → Sleep → Memory → Remote → Battery → Console →
Graphic → Network → Session → Virtual → Processor → FullScreen →
ScreenSaver → BatterySaver

Each rule is skipped if its mode is Resume. Otherwise the service polls the condition for a rule-specific MaxCount (instant 0 for Lock/Sleep/Console/Session/ScreenSaver; 5 for most others; threshold-based for Memory/Graphic/CPU/Battery/Network). On a trip it sets the CategoryPerformance, sets Condition = true, and calls Lifecycle():

Mode Close → set ClosePerformance, call Live.Helper.Kill.Stop() (close the wallpaper).
Mode Pause → set PausePerformance. If PausePerformanceType.Heavy, the live process is suspended (via Space.Extension.Lifecycle.Suspend), including WebView2/CefSharp child processes whose command line contains "Sucrose" and the Aurora application process. Light pauses without suspending threads.

In both cases the Launcher tray icon is notified over Signal (Icon = true).

Condition.Start() is the mirror: while in a category it polls until the condition clears, then resumes — Close restarts the wallpaper (Run.Start()), Pause/Heavy resumes the process (Lifecycle.Resume(...)), and Condition is cleared. Tray icon Signal Icon = false.

Attempt.Start() runs when there is no live wallpaper: it retries Space.Helper.Live.Run() up to 5 times (1 s apart, 3 s settle on success). If nothing starts, it sets Exit = false, clears the two transient pause flags, and the service stops.

The enum values behind these rules (src/Shared/Sucrose.Shared.Dependency/Enum/PerformanceType.cs):

PerformanceType: Close, Pause, Resume.
PausePerformanceType: Heavy, Light.
NetworkPerformanceType: Not, Ping, Upload, Download.
CategoryPerformanceType: Not, Lock, Focus, Sleep, Memory, Remote, Battery, Console, Graphic, Network, Session, Virtual, Processor, FullScreen, ScreenSaver, BatterySaver.
HighPerformanceType: Default, PowerSaving, HighPerformance.

Windows session listener

Extension/WindowsListener.cs implements Skylark.Wing.Interface.IEventListener and feeds session events into the performance engine:

OnLogon / OnLogoff → WindowsSession.
OnDisplayLock / OnDisplayUnlock → WindowsLock.
OnStartScreenSaver / OnStopScreenSaver → WindowsScreenSaver.

It is started/stopped by Extension/Windows.cs (Start() / Stop()).

Recent changes to Backgroundog Service

Backgroundog Service modified by Bayram Emekli

Backgroundog Service modified by Bayram Emekli

Backgroundog Service modified by Bayram Emekli

Backgroundog Service modified by Bayram Emekli

Backgroundog Service modified by Bayram Emekli

Backgroundog Service

Contents

Role and lifecycle

Timers and timing constants

Sensor collection

Audio visualizer (FFT)

Now-playing metadata

Output channels and the JSON payload

The data contract (field reference)

Settings

Performance / pause enforcement

Windows session listener

See also