⚡ Streaming and Performance Enhancements

[jongalloway]

Description

Enhance streaming capabilities and performance with multi-stage streaming and advanced optimizations.

Current Streaming: Basic Server-Sent Events support exists.

Enhancement Opportunities

• Multi-Stage Streaming: Stream tool selection process and backend queries
• Parallel Backend Results: Stream results as they arrive from different backends
• Optimized Deduplication: Advanced deduplication algorithms for large result sets
• Perceived Performance: Better progress indicators and streaming UX

Priority & Effort

• Priority: Medium
• Effort: Medium
• Timeline: Phase 3 (Months 4-6) - 1-2 months
• Business Value: Medium - Performance and user experience

Dependencies

• Benefits from 🏗️ Implement Multi-Backend Retrieval Architecture #34 (Multi-Backend Architecture) for parallel streaming
• Works with 🔧 Implement Tool Selection Framework #35 (Tool Selection Framework) for multi-stage streaming
• Enhanced by 🐛 Enhanced Debug and Development Experience #38 (Debug Experience) for streaming visualization

References

• NLWeb June 2025 Analysis - Section: "Streaming and Performance Enhancements"
• GitHub Issues Plan - Issue 9

[jongalloway]

Proposed approach for multi-stage streaming and perf:

• Stream tool selection decisions and backend query progress via SSE using IAsyncEnumerable/Channels.
• Emit partial backend results as they arrive; deduplicate incrementally.
• Add OTel timing metrics around each stage (tool selection, per-backend query, fusion/dedupe) to validate perf.
• Improve client-side progress UX (percent complete by stage, backend badges, dedupe counts).

We can prototype this in the Demo app first, then generalize. Happy to draft a small design and PR if this direction sounds good.

[jongalloway]

Proposed approach for multi-stage streaming and perf:

• Stream tool selection decisions and backend query progress via SSE using IAsyncEnumerable/Channels.
• Emit partial backend results as they arrive; deduplicate incrementally.
• Add OTel timing metrics around each stage (tool selection, per-backend query, fusion/dedupe) to validate perf.
• Improve client-side progress UX (percent complete by stage, backend badges, dedupe counts).

We can prototype this in the Demo app first, then generalize. Happy to draft a small design and PR if this direction sounds good.