Set performance budgets

A performance budget defines pass/fail thresholds for a site on one device strategy (mobile or desktop). When a PageSpeed run exceeds those limits, Watcher can raise an alert. Viewers can see budgets but cannot create or edit them.

Run a baseline first — Run a test and read results — so thresholds match real scores, not aspirational defaults alone.

Open Budgets

1. Sign in at /admin.
2. Open Performance → Budgets.
3. Click Create (New Budget).

Budgets under Performance — empty list until you create the first threshold set.

Fill in the budget

1. Select the Site.
2. Choose Device: Mobile or Desktop (create a second budget if you monitor both).
3. Set thresholds you care about. Common fields include:
   • Performance score minimum (for example 90)
   • LCP maximum (seconds)
   • INP maximum (seconds)
   • CLS maximum
   • Supporting caps such as FCP, TBT, and Speed Index when offered
4. Leave the budget Active so violations are evaluated after tests.
5. Choose an alert channel your plan allows (email on most plans; Slack or webhook on higher tiers).
6. Save.

Create Budget — site, device, score/vitals thresholds, and alert channel.

After you save

1. Confirm the new row appears on Budgets.
2. Ensure priority pages have the matching strategy enabled — Mobile and desktop strategies.
3. Continue with Email alerts and digests so the team knows who receives email.

Edit or deactivate

1. Open the budget from the list.
2. Adjust thresholds or turn Active off to pause evaluation without deleting history.
3. Save.

Only Manager and Admin can edit or delete budgets.