---
agent: host-operator
slug: load-workload-review
title: Load and Workload Review
version: 0.1.0
last_updated: "2026-07-16"
---

# Load and Workload Review

## Purpose

Regular review of system load and identification of workloads that are demanding
or may overload the host. Establishes and updates the **load envelope** in memory.

## Scope

- Load average vs CPU count
- Memory pressure and swap
- Disk I/O and filesystem fill
- Top processes and (if k3s) top pods
- Job/cron/backup overlap risks
- Comparison to prior baseline envelope

## Prerequisites

- Observe-class shell access
- Tools: `uptime`, `nproc`, `free`, `vmstat`, `ps`, `df`, optionally `iostat`,
  `kubectl`/`k3s kubectl`

---

## Procedure

### Step 1 — Instant load picture

```bash
uptime
nproc
free -h
swapon --show
df -h
```

Interpret load average relative to `nproc` (rule of thumb: sustained load ≫ cores → Watch/Degraded).

### Step 2 — Top consumers

```bash
ps aux --sort=-%cpu | head -15
ps aux --sort=-%mem | head -15
```

### Step 3 — Optional I/O and VM

```bash
vmstat 1 5
iostat -xz 1 3 2>/dev/null || true
```

### Step 4 — Kubernetes workloads (if present)

```bash
kubectl top nodes 2>/dev/null || true
kubectl top pods -A --sort-by=memory 2>/dev/null | head -25 || true
kubectl top pods -A --sort-by=cpu 2>/dev/null | head -25 || true
kubectl get pods -A --field-selector spec.nodeName=$(hostname) 2>/dev/null | head -40 || true
```

### Step 5 — Envelope update

In vault memory `## Load & Workload Envelope`, record:

| Field | Example |
|-------|---------|
| Typical load (1/5/15) | 0.4 / 0.5 / 0.6 on 4 cores |
| Peak seen | … |
| Heavy workloads | forgejo runner, backups, … |
| Saturation incidents | date · symptom · resolution |
| Headroom notes | disk 40% free; mem OK |

### Step 6 — Demand flags

Flag as findings when:

- Sustained load > cores without known batch job
- Memory available critically low or swap thrash
- Disk > 85% on critical mounts
- Single pod/process dominating resources without request/limit awareness
- Concurrent heavy jobs (backup + build + migrate)

## Output template

```markdown
# Load & Workload Review — <hostname> — <date>

## Summary
## Load vs capacity
## Top consumers
## Envelope delta (vs last review)
## Overload / demand risks
## Recommended next steps (safe first)
```