> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xloud.tech/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Optimization User Guide

> Run optimization audits, review action plans, and execute workload rebalancing to improve resource efficiency across your Xloud cluster.

<p style={{ fontSize: '1.25rem', fontWeight: 700, marginBottom: '0.75rem' }}>Overview</p>

The Xloud Optimization analyzes your running workloads against optimization goals —
consolidation, thermal management, workload stability, or energy savings — and generates
a prioritized action plan. You review the plan before approving execution, giving you
full visibility and control over every workload migration.

This guide covers the full operator workflow from selecting a goal to reviewing history.

<Warning>
  The Optimization is an administrator tool. All operations described in this guide require the `admin` role in the Dashboard.
</Warning>

***

<p style={{ fontSize: '1.25rem', fontWeight: 700, marginBottom: '0.75rem' }}>In This Guide</p>

<CardGroup cols={4}>
  <Card title="Optimization Goals" icon="target" href="/services/optimization/user-guide/optimization-goals" color="#197560">
    Understand the available optimization objectives and which goal to select for your
    current operational need.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Run an Audit" icon="play" href="/services/optimization/user-guide/run-audit" color="#197560">
    Create and run an optimization audit via the Dashboard or CLI — step-by-step walkthrough.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Action Plans" icon="clipboard-list" href="/services/optimization/user-guide/action-plans" color="#197560">
    Review the migrations recommended by a completed audit before approving execution.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Execute Actions" icon="bolt" href="/services/optimization/user-guide/execute-actions" color="#197560">
    Start an action plan, monitor live migration progress, and verify results.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Audit History" icon="clock-rotate-left" href="/services/optimization/user-guide/audit-history" color="#197560">
    Review past audits, track optimization trends, and compare cluster state over time.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/services/optimization/user-guide/troubleshooting" color="#197560">
    Diagnose failed audits, stalled action plans, and live migration errors.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<p style={{ fontSize: '1.25rem', fontWeight: 700, marginBottom: '0.75rem' }}>Key Concepts</p>

| Concept         | Description                                                                                         |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Audit**       | An analysis run that evaluates the cluster against an optimization goal and produces an action plan |
| **Goal**        | The optimization objective — consolidation, thermal, stability, energy, or zone rebalancing         |
| **Strategy**    | The algorithm the Decision Engine applies to identify suboptimal placements                         |
| **Action Plan** | A prioritized list of workload migrations generated by an audit, awaiting approval                  |
| **Action**      | A single operation within an action plan — typically a live migration                               |

***

<p style={{ fontSize: '1.25rem', fontWeight: 700, marginBottom: '0.75rem' }}>Typical Workflow</p>

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    A[Select Goal] --> B[Create Audit]
    B --> C[Audit Runs]
    C --> D{Action Plan Generated?}
    D -- Yes --> E[Review Actions]
    D -- No --> F[Cluster already optimal]
    E --> G[Start Plan]
    G --> H[Execute Actions]
    H --> I[Verify Utilization]
```

***

<p style={{ fontSize: '1.25rem', fontWeight: 700, marginBottom: '0.75rem' }}>Next Steps</p>

<CardGroup cols={4}>
  <Card title="Optimization Admin Guide" icon="shield-check" href="/services/optimization/admin-guide" color="#197560">
    Configure strategies, data sources, scheduling, and action plan policies.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Optimization Overview" icon="layers" href="/services/optimization/index" color="#197560">
    Architecture, service overview, and getting started with the Optimization.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>