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

# Caching

> Prepare Aspect's local cache for a responsive editing session and manage it as your working set changes.

Aspect caches the file segments your applications request from a mounted project. Frequently used content stays local for faster repeat access, while the project remains stored and synchronized in Aspect.

Caching happens automatically. Use this workflow to choose an appropriate location and limit, prepare active media, and decide when pinning is the better option.

## Prepare the cache

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open cache settings">
    Open the Aspect desktop app settings and find the local cache controls.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the location">
    Confirm that the cache is stored at a location with enough available space. You can use your primary disk or [an external SSD](/docs/workflows/external-drive).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a practical limit">
    Set the maximum space Aspect may use. Leave room for your operating system, creative applications, project files, and exports.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Mount the active project">
    Mount the project and open it from your computer's file browser.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open representative media">
    Open and scrub through a few files from the actual project in the application you plan to use. Aspect streams the requested segments and prefetches content it expects the application to need next.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check performance">
    Revisit the same media and test normal playback. Previously accessed segments can be read from the local cache instead of being streamed again.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## During the session

* Keep the cache location available while you work.
* Let Aspect manage the contents of the cache folder.
* Monitor available local storage during long or media-heavy sessions.
* Increase the limit if active footage is repeatedly being streamed again.
* Reduce the limit when you need to recover local space.

When the cache approaches its configured limit, Aspect removes older cached segments to make room for recently accessed content. This does not delete or change the original files in Aspect.

<Card title="Cache management" href="/docs/instant-access/manage-cache">
  Change the cache limit or location and troubleshoot cache performance.
</Card>

## Know when to pin

A cache improves connected work, but it does not guarantee that a complete file is stored locally.

| Cache | Pinning |
| - | - |
| Stores accessed file segments automatically | Downloads the complete file or folder |
| May remove older content automatically | Keeps content local until you unpin it |
| Supports normal connected work | Supports offline or guaranteed local access |
| Uses the configured cache limit | Requires space for the complete pinned content |

Before traveling or working with an unreliable connection, [pin everything you need](/docs/instant-access/pin-files) and wait for pinning to finish.

## Use an office shared cache

Some organizations use an Aspect-managed on-site shared cache. After one person retrieves content, other workstations on the same local network may reuse it at local-network speed instead of downloading it separately.

Shared-cache availability depends on your workspace and deployment. Contact Aspect to confirm whether it is available for your organization.

## Troubleshoot the workflow

If previously accessed media begins streaming again:

* Confirm that the configured cache location is still available.
* Check whether the cache limit was reduced.
* Check whether older content was automatically evicted.
* Confirm that the cache drive has free space.
* Make sure the Aspect desktop app is running.
* Check the internet connection for content that is not cached.

If playback remains inconsistent, follow the performance guidance in [Understanding how Instant Access works](/docs/instant-access/overview).

## Related guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Working off an external drive" href="/docs/workflows/external-drive">
    Move Aspect's local cache to an external SSD.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cache management" href="/docs/instant-access/manage-cache">
    Control the cache size and storage location.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pinning" href="/docs/instant-access/pin-files">
    Keep complete files and folders available offline.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Understanding Instant Access" href="/docs/instant-access/overview">
    Learn how streaming, prefetching, caching, and synchronization work together.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>