Implement comprehensive cache lifecycle management focusing on three key aspects: 1. Idempotent Creation: Make cache creation idempotent by returning success for identical configurations and error only for conflicting ones. This enables reliable automation and prevents redundant cache instances. Example: ```rust impl Cache { fn create(&self, config: CacheConfig) -> Result<(), Error> { match self.get_existing_config(&config.name) { Some(existing) if existing == config => Ok(()), // Identical config Some(_) => Err(Error::ConflictingConfig), // Different config None => { self.insert_new_cache(config); Ok(()) } } } } ``` 2. Efficient Maintenance: Schedule cache maintenance operations (pruning, eviction) at appropriate intervals: - Perform heavy operations like eviction during low-activity periods (e.g., during snapshots) - Use reasonable intervals for routine checks (e.g., once per second vs every 10ms) - Hold locks for minimum duration needed 3. Complete Cleanup: Implement thorough cleanup that removes all artifacts when entries expire: - Remove expired values from cache stores - Clean up empty key entries in hierarchical caches - Walk up cache trees to remove empty branches - Consider using weak references for temporary entries This ensures optimal memory usage and prevents accumulation of stale metadata.