> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.e6data.com/query-engine/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.e6data.com/query-engine/reference/cluster-reference/scaling-modes.md).

# Scaling modes

The cluster scaling modes in e6data - fixed, autoscaling, QPS-based, and scale-to-zero - at a glance.

A cluster runs in one of these scaling modes. For guidance on choosing and configuring them, see [Cluster sizing and scaling](/query-engine/guides/clusters/cluster-sizing-and-scaling.md).

| Mode              | How it behaves                                                               | Best for                           |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **Fixed**         | Runs exactly the chosen executor count at all times (XS–XXL or custom 1–100) | Steady, predictable load           |
| **Autoscaling**   | Scales between a min and max executor count based on load                    | Variable or spiky load             |
| **QPS-based**     | Auto-sizes planner replicas to a target queries-per-second                   | A known target QPS                 |
| **Scale-to-zero** | `min = 0`; drops to zero replicas when idle (with auto-suspend)              | Long idle periods, batch, dev/test |

| Parameter              | Range    | Default |
| ---------------------- | -------- | ------- |
| Min executors          | 0–100    | 1       |
| Max executors          | 1–100    | 5       |
| Window-based smoothing | on / off | off     |

## See also

* [Cluster sizing and scaling](/query-engine/guides/clusters/cluster-sizing-and-scaling.md)
* [Cluster limits](/query-engine/reference/limits-and-quotas/cluster-limits.md)
* [Suspend and resume](/query-engine/guides/clusters/suspend-and-resume.md)


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