NextGen Disk Cache 2.3.0 — learned load cache

The learned load cache is new in this release. Host and CI checks pass; the load-time gain depends on your setup, and the log's Timing: lines let you measure it.

What's new

• Learned load cache. Each session records which game files and which parts of each archive Skyrim reads, from start-up until 90 seconds after your first save load. The next launch reads exactly that data into RAM in parallel as soon as SKSE loads the plugin, before the game asks for it. The first launch only records.
• Game requests are only observed (through SkyrimSE.exe's own imports), never changed. Saves, cosaves, writes, exclusive opens and files outside Data are never recorded or read. Changed mod files are skipped; unused files drop out after four launches.
• Load timing in the log: game data load and every save load, so you can compare Safe and Minimal after a restart.
• Safe now uses the load cache instead of the old archive warmer (which re-read archive headers after the save had already loaded). Experimental keeps the old warmer and wider hooks on top. Minimal is the everything-off control.
• DirectStorage removed: it bypasses the Windows file cache Skyrim reads from, so it could never speed up loading.

Install

Reinstall the full FOMOD with Vortex or MO2 and choose Safe. Log and learned profile: Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition\SKSE\NextGenDiskCache.log / .hotset.

Verification

• Exact commit ee431378237f6f8da6da1b8ec14a65d3c20f73e3 (PR #9). Windows build, 14/14 CTest (policy + profile unit checks, 13 actual-DLL host modes including a two-session record→prefetch test) and CodeQL passed before tagging.
• NextGenDiskCache-2.3.0-FOMOD.zip — 259,499 bytes, SHA-256 5ecc845e5d830803a00c3610b8362928802af5f8f6d88032bab24194c72bd2b3 (CI artifact, unmodified).
• NextGenDiskCache.dll inside — 469,504 bytes, SHA-256 c13cff2d3256a84a89ae074a4e1efb03e676e3c99395cd3c0d8a4aae94661a0f; imports KERNEL32, SETUPAPI, SHELL32; exports only the three SKSE entry points.
• NextGenDiskCache.pdb is attached separately and is not needed to play.