High reported memory is LMDB cache not actual process usage

Monitoring tools may report very high memory usage (80-90% of system RAM) for Meilisearch, but this includes large amounts of RssFile (file-backed cache) from LMDB memory-mapped database files. Actual process memory (RssAnon) can be 10x lower. For example, 53.7GB reported RSS may consist of only 5.1GB actual process memory plus 48.7GB file cache.

When investigating high memory usage, distinguish between RssAnon (actual process memory) and RssFile (file-backed cache). Check /proc/[pid]/status or similar tools to see memory breakdown. File cache can be released by the OS when needed and should not trigger alerts. Focus on RssAnon relative to configured max-indexing-memory limits.