cache invalidation strategy

Implement comprehensive cache invalidation mechanisms that automatically handle format changes between versions while providing clear manual removal options. When cache formats change, automatically detect and remove incompatible cache files to prevent runtime errors. Additionally, document cache locations and provide accurate removal commands for manual cache management.

For automatic invalidation, check cache format compatibility on startup:

# Cache format changed in version 3.5, remove old cache to prevent crashes
if (cacheFormatVersion !== currentVersion) {
  removeOutdatedCache();
}

For manual removal, provide precise documentation with correct command syntax:

# Remove cache manually (note: no -f flag to show errors if file not found)
rm ./node_modules/.cache/prettier/.prettier-cache

This approach prevents crashes from incompatible cache formats while giving users clear guidance for manual cache management when needed.