{
  "id": 5233387,
  "title": "Measuring the Wrong Process for Eight Months",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/measuring-the-wrong-process-for-eight-months",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-03T03:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/megapixel99/measuring-the-wrong-process-for-eight-months-3j9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An eight-month flaw was uncovered in a memory measurement tool called Kestrel. The tool reported memory usage for browser tabs, but it was found to be inaccurate. The real memory usage was significantly higher than what Kestrel reported. The issue stemmed from the tool not properly distinguishing between different processes on the machine. It relied on a flawed method of identifying the browser's process, which led to incorrect attribution of memory usage. The error had gone unnoticed for months because the tool was reporting plausible numbers within a believable range. However, the corrected measurements reveal that Kestrel was over budget in 48% of samples and discard-LRU in 62%. This discrepancy highlights the importance of using reliable measurement tools and instruments, as well as the need for proper testing and validation of results.",
  "summary": "Code: Megapixel99/kestrel In What a Hibernated Browser Tab Actually Costs I reported that Kestrel's memory ladder held 121.7 MB against an unmanaged browser's 319.9 MB on a set of real websites, and that it never went over its budget. Both numbers were wrong. Re-measured, the same run holds 345.9 MB against an unmanaged 255.3 MB, and it is over budget in 85% of samples. The ladder did not do less…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}