# Size of flows.json and performance

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/size-of-flows-json-and-performance/63799>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [11 June 2022 18:20 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/size-of-flows-json-and-performance/63799 "2022-06-11T18:20:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 3

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**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [11 June 2022 18:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/size-of-flows-json-and-performance/63799/3 "2022-06-11T18:51:46Z")

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> [@SandeepA](#):
>
> We have ~3500 nodes in flows .json - spanning multiple flows / subflows.

and you can multiple the number of nodes in each subflow by the number of instances

e.g.

- Main flow has 20 `inject` nodes and 20 `subnode:my_big_subflow` instances
- `subnode:my_big_subflow`contains 100 nodes  
Total nodes = 20 injects 20 subflow instances + (20 \* 100) = 2040 nodes to instanciate.

However, if you are not using context in subflows or just using them to tidy flows / hide implementation, they can pretty much be replaced with LINK-CALLs

> [@SandeepA](#):
>
> even if its deploy modified nodes - it takes significant time (more than few mins) for runtime to be available again

That doesnt seem right - is that all node types or certain node types? and are you modifying a node inside a subflow or main flow?

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