Chapter 8: Cache Manager¶

Manage cache entries for search, filters, and categories to optimize store performance.

Cache Manager Interface

Overview¶

Cache Manager helps you monitor and control cached data that speeds up your search functionality. Cached data includes search results, filter options, and category structures.

Main Functions:

View all cache entries in your store
Filter cache by type and search for specific keys
Delete individual cache entries or flush entire cache types
Monitor cache performance and storage usage

Interface Elements¶

Header Section¶

Navigation:

← Back to Dashboard - Return to main dashboard
+ Refresh - Reload current cache data
🗑️ Flush All Cache - Delete all cache entries

Filter Controls¶

Cache Type Filter (Dropdown):

All Cache Types - Show all cache entries
Search Results - Cached search query results
Category Tree - BigCommerce category hierarchy
Category Product Display - Product lists for categories
Category Hierarchy - Category parent-child relationships
Saved Filters - Saved filter configurations
Suggested Keywords - Auto-complete keyword suggestions
Popular Keywords - Most searched terms
Semantic Search Status - AI search feature settings

Search Box:

Search for specific cache keys by name or pattern

Cache Entries Table¶

Table Information:

Shows "X Cache Entries" count
Pagination: "1 - 30 of 30" with navigation arrows

Columns:

Cache Key - Unique identifier for the cached data
Type - Cache category with colored badges
Size - Storage space used (e.g., "3 B", "1 B")
TTL - Time To Live expiration status ("No expiration")
Actions - 🗑️ Delete button for each entry

Cache Types Explained¶

Search Results (`SEARCH RESULTS`)¶

Purpose: Cached search query results for faster repeat searches
Example: Customer searches for "wireless mouse" - results cached for instant loading
When to clear: After product updates or search configuration changes

Category Tree (`CATEGORY TREE`)¶

Purpose: BigCommerce category structure for navigation menus
Example: Electronics > Computers > Accessories hierarchy
When to clear: After category structure changes in BigCommerce

Category Product Display (`CATEGORY PRODUCT DISPLAY`)¶

Purpose: Product display settings for categories (direct products vs subcategory products)
Example: Electronics category shows only direct products, or includes products from Computers > Laptops subcategories
Display Options: Direct products only, include subcategories, or show subcategory products when parent has none
When to clear: After changing category product display settings or reorganizing category structure

Category Hierarchy (`CATEGORY HIERARCHY`)¶

Purpose: Parent-child relationships between categories
Example: Which categories are subcategories of others
When to clear: After reorganizing category structure

Saved Filters (`SAVED FILTERS`)¶

Purpose: Custom filter configurations saved in database
Example: Specific brand and price filters for Electronics category
When to clear: After changing filter settings in Customize Filters

Suggested Keywords (`SUGGESTED KEYWORD`)¶

Purpose: Auto-complete suggestions as customers type
Example: Typing "lap" shows "laptop", "laptop bag", "laptop stand"
When to clear: After updating keyword configurations

Popular Keywords (`POPULAR`)¶

Purpose: Most frequently searched terms
Example: Top 10 search terms to prioritize in suggestions
When to clear: Monthly to refresh trending searches

Semantic Search Status (`SEMANTIC SEARCH STATUS`)¶

Purpose: AI-powered search feature configuration
Example: Whether semantic search is enabled for the store
When to clear: After changing semantic search settings

Cache Operations¶

Delete Individual Cache Entry¶

Click the 🗑️ Delete button next to any cache entry
Confirm deletion in the popup dialog
Cache entry is immediately removed

Filter Cache Entries¶

Use the Cache Type dropdown to filter by specific type
Enter search terms in the Search Box to find specific keys
Table updates to show matching entries only

Refresh Cache Data¶

Click the + Refresh button in the header
Current cache data is reloaded from Redis
Table updates with latest cache information

Flush All Cache¶

Click the 🗑️ Flush All Cache button in header
Confirm action in warning dialog - this clears ALL cache data
All cache entries are immediately deleted
Cache rebuilds automatically as customers use the site

⚠️ Warning: Flushing all cache may slow site performance since data is no longer cached. Cache rebuilds gradually on first requests.

When to Clear Cache¶

Recommended Clearing Times:¶

After Product Changes:

New products added or removed
Product information updated (prices, descriptions, attributes)
Product categories changed
Clear: Search Results, Category Product Display

After Search Configuration:

Filter settings modified in Customize Filters
Search behavior settings changed
Keyword configurations updated
Clear: Saved Filters, Suggested Keywords

After Category Changes:

Category structure reorganized in BigCommerce
New categories added or removed
Category names or descriptions changed
Clear: Category Tree, Category Hierarchy

Monthly Maintenance:

Refresh trending search data
Clear old unused cache entries
Update popular keywords
Clear: Popular Keywords, old Search Results

Performance Impact¶

After Clearing Cache:

Immediate: Site searches will be slower for 30-60 minutes
Recovery: Performance improves as cache rebuilds
Full Recovery: 2-4 hours for complete cache rebuild

Best Practice: Clear cache during low-traffic hours (early morning or late evening).

Troubleshooting¶

Search Results Not Updating¶

Problem: New products don't appear in search
Solution: Clear "Search Results" cache type
Recovery: 30-60 minutes for fresh results

Problem: Filters show outdated options
Solution: Clear "Saved Filters" cache type
Recovery: 15-30 minutes for updated filters

Problem: Category menus show wrong structure
Solution: Clear "Category Tree" cache type
Recovery: 10-20 minutes for corrected navigation

Slow Search Performance¶

Problem: Searches taking too long to load
Solution: Check if cache is working properly, clear old cache if needed
Prevention: Monitor cache size and clear unused entries regularly

Next Chapter: Settings - Configure core search behavior and features.