If Convo is running slowly, using excessive CPU or memory, or experiencing lag during conversations, this guide will help you identify and resolve common performance issues.
Performance benchmarks
Check these indicators in Activity Monitor:
- • Normal CPU usage: 5-15% during active conversation
- • Normal memory: 200-400 MB
- • Warning threshold: Memory above 500 MB
- • AI suggestions: Appear within 8-10 seconds
Common issues
Slow to start recording
First-time recording after launch may take 20-40 seconds due to macOS loading ScreenCaptureKit. Subsequent sessions start instantly.
Pro tip: Launch Convo a few minutes before your first meeting. The app pre-warms system caches in the background, ensuring instant recording when you need it.
High memory usage
Convo stores up to 2,000 conversation segments in memory (supports 3+ hour meetings) with automatic cleanup every 60 seconds.
What to do:
- Check memory in Activity Monitor (search for "Convo")
- If above 500 MB, restart Convo between meetings
- Close the app when not in use
- For 4+ hour meetings, stop/restart recording during breaks
High CPU usage
CPU usage above 50% can cause fan noise and battery drain. Normal usage is 5-15% during active conversations.
Common causes:
- Real-time audio processing and analysis
- Frequent AI requests during very active conversations
- Multiple simultaneous API requests
- Background cache cleanup
Solutions:
- Close other resource-intensive apps
- Close unused browser tabs with video conferencing
- Restart Convo if high CPU when idle (not recording)
- Update to latest version for performance improvements
Lag during conversations
AI suggestions should appear within 8-10 seconds. Delays longer than 15-20 seconds indicate performance issues.
Why lag occurs:
- Slow internet connection (recommend 10+ Mbps)
- Approaching rate limits triggers throttling
- Rapid conversation changes overwhelm analysis
- System resources constrained by other apps
- Test internet speed (10+ Mbps recommended)
- Close unnecessary applications
- Check rate limit in Account Settings
- Allow 10-15 seconds for AI analysis during active conversations
App freezing or unresponsive
- Wait 30 seconds for automatic recovery
- Force quit if unresponsive: ⌘+Option+Esc → Select Convo → Force Quit
- Restart Convo and check Activity Monitor
- Ensure macOS is updated to latest version
- Check Console.app for crash logs (search "ConvoPal")
- If frequent, contact support with crash logs
Optimization tips
System resources
- • Restart Convo between meetings or daily
- • Close unused apps to free up RAM
- • Monitor Activity Monitor during meetings
- • Keep macOS updated
- • Ensure 10+ GB free disk space
Meeting best practices
- • Launch Convo early to allow pre-warming
- • Use reliable internet (10+ Mbps, wired preferred)
- • For 4+ hour meetings, restart during breaks
- • Don't record same meeting with multiple apps
- • Wait 2-3 minutes after recording for sync
Performance budgets
Convo has built-in performance targets:
- • Audio capture: Under 20ms
- • AI analysis: 8-10 seconds for context
- • Smart Panel updates: Under 16ms (60 FPS)
- • Total pipeline: Under 200ms
Advanced troubleshooting
Check performance logs
Console.app (Applications → Utilities) provides detailed info:
- • Filter by process: "ConvoPal"
- •
[PERF] - Performance budget violations - •
[MEMORY] - Memory warnings (above 500 MB) - •
[THROTTLE] - Rate limiting
Adaptive throttling
Convo automatically adjusts AI request frequency:
- • Active conversation: 1-2 seconds
- • Moderate pace: 2-4 seconds
- • Quiet periods: 5-12 seconds
- • Maximum: 12 concurrent API calls
When to contact support
Contact support if you experience:
- Memory consistently above 500 MB during normal meetings
- CPU above 50% when idle (not recording)
- Frequent freezing or crashes (more than once per day)
- Recording delays exceeding 60 seconds every time
Include when contacting support:
- • macOS version (System Settings → General → About)
- • Mac model and RAM (Apple menu → About This Mac)
- • Activity Monitor screenshots showing CPU/memory
- • Approximate meeting duration when issues occur
Contact: ivan@itsconvo.com
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