# Optimizing Node Native Performance

> Audits Node addon and native-boundary performance.

- Skill: `socketdev/optimizing-node-native-performance` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add socketdev/optimizing-node-native-performance`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/socketdev/optimizing-node-native-performance/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: socketdev (https://skillmd.com/u/socketdev)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/socketdev/optimizing-node-native-performance

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# Optimizing Node Native Performance

Measure module startup/import separately from steady state, and identify conversion, copy,
boundary, queueing, or native-loop cost before adopting a `.node` addon or changing one.

1. Read the shared [Node native-boundary audit](../optimizing-performance/references/node-native-boundaries.md).
2. Batch data into typed buffers or a versioned compact layout; do not cross the boundary
   per character, token, AST node, callback, or tiny result.
3. Use Node-API by default for ABI stability. Treat direct V8 fast APIs as version-specific
   experiments with a supported fallback.
4. Define ownership/finalization for every externally backed buffer and test Worker cleanup.
5. Preserve event-loop responsiveness and compare the end-to-end JS baseline.

For Wasm memory and feature variants, use
[optimizing-webassembly-performance](../optimizing-webassembly-performance/SKILL.md).