Why has Hasura's GraphQL API performance declined by 30% over the past week?

Introduction

Hasura's GraphQL API performance decline of 30% over the past week is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This significant drop in performance could severely impact user experience, system reliability, and overall product adoption. I'll approach this problem systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term fixes and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking this could be related to a recent deployment. Has there been any significant update or change to the Hasura GraphQL API in the past 1-2 weeks?

Why it matters: Recent changes often correlate with performance issues. Expected answer: Yes, there was a major version update last week. Impact on approach: If confirmed, I'd focus on changes introduced in the update.

• Considering the scale of the decline, I'm wondering about the distribution. Is this 30% decline uniform across all API endpoints, or are some endpoints more affected than others?

Why it matters: Helps narrow down the problem area and potential causes. Expected answer: The decline varies, with some endpoints more affected. Impact on approach: I'd prioritize investigating the most affected endpoints.

• Given the nature of GraphQL, I'm curious about query complexity. Has there been any change in the average complexity of queries being made to the API recently?

Why it matters: Complex queries could strain the system, leading to performance issues. Expected answer: There's been an increase in complex queries from certain clients. Impact on approach: I'd focus on query optimization and client usage patterns.

• Thinking about infrastructure, I'm considering potential changes in the backend. Have there been any recent modifications to the database schema or indexing strategy?

Why it matters: Database changes can significantly impact API performance. Expected answer: Some new indexes were added to improve specific queries. Impact on approach: I'd investigate if these changes are causing unexpected query plans.

• Reflecting on external factors, I'm wondering about usage patterns. Has there been a significant increase in API traffic or change in user behavior over the past week?

Why it matters: Sudden changes in load or usage can strain the system. Expected answer: Traffic has been relatively stable. Impact on approach: If confirmed, I'd focus more on internal system issues rather than scaling problems.