• Take AMI snapshot for rollback safety.
• Install and configure OPcache (128 MB, validate_timestamps=1, revalidate_freq=60).
• Enable PHP 8.2 JIT (tracing, buffer 64 M, max root buffers 1024).
• Switch php-fpm from static to dynamic (pm.max_children=50, start=20, min_spare=5, max_spare=15).
• Add real-ip module to nginx so Laravel TrustProxies works behind ALB.
• Install APCu (laravel cache driver) and warm application config/cache.
• Add micro-cache (1 s) for 404/static assets inside nginx.
• Deliver 1-page runbook so you can repeat the same on staging.

Deliverables:

• Updated php.ini, www.conf, nginx.conf committed in your repo.
• OPcache GUI one-file dashboard for future monitoring.
• ab result CSV + New-Relic comparison PNG.
• Rollback AMI ID tagged pre-optimization-backup.

Business value:

API latency drops below 1 s without touching code; mobile users stop complaining; you postpone expensive instance upgrade; finance sees lower CPU credit burn.

Why choose me (Junior):

• LFCS certified, 40+ VPS tunings, average 55 % latency cut.
• Response time <1 h on weekdays; 7-day email support included.
• Provide Terraform snippet if you want to repeat on Auto-Scaling group.