Redis

High-Speed Caching with Redis

Redis (Remote Dictionary Server) is an open-source data structure store that runs in RAM. Capable of millions of operations per second, Redis is ideal for caching database queries, managing sessions and real-time communication with pub/sub patterns.

In Detartech projects we deploy Redis across multiple layers. We store API responses and database queries with TTL-based caching, reducing database load by 60-80% for repeated queries. We manage task queues via the BullMQ library, processing background tasks such as email sending, report generation and webhook delivery asynchronously. We also prefer Redis for rate limiting and distributed lock implementations.

Where does Detartech use Redis?

Redis is our default tool for the cache layer. The most concrete example is Biletico: while the interface, the canvas-based seating plan and the payment flow of the inherited ticketing platform were rebuilt, Redis caching was placed on its Next.js and Node.js stack, with MongoDB on the data side. The approach described on our backend scaling service page applies here too: the lifetime of every cache entry and the event that invalidates it are written down in advance, and what stays out of the cache is documented as a separate decision.

When is Redis the right choice?

Redis is the right tool when the same data is read again and again at short intervals, when the database is the first thing to break under load, or when short-lived data such as sessions, rate limits and background job queues needs fast access. Once the cache hit rate is measured, the gain it brings can be tracked as well.

When is Redis not the answer?

If slowness comes from an unindexed query or queries repeated inside a loop, a cache hides the problem instead of solving it; the query plan is read first. On screens where every read must show the latest value, a cache increases the risk of stale data, and a system that shows stale data costs more than a slow one. For persistent, relational data we use a database such as PostgreSQL as the primary store, not Redis.