what to backup for clean install

You should not migrate apps or system settings.

Install whatever apps you need, now, after testing the one app you want to work better.

wildernessbob wrote:

i have been experiencing speed issues

did the EtreCheck here it be.

<EtreCheck report.log>

this External USB (?)— note that is full < StoreJet Transcend 1.00 TB / (908.95 GB used) >

I see Command Line Tools for Xcode installed.

Are you running the current Xcode(?)

Verify your third party apps are up to date...

Nothing jumps out the as the most common offenders—

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

To trouble shoot further you can:

 —A SafeBoot Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support will sort many anomalies

Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled.

Login and test. Reboot  as normal and test.  Caches get rebuilt automatically.

This test will tell you if third party interference; most* extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode. 

—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

  This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 

***if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect the charging cable before booting to Safe Mode.   This will make it act as a wired keyboard and will result in a successful Safe Boot mode.

wildernessbob wrote:

hey everyone, i'm sure this has been asked, but i can't find a specific answer. i have been experiencing speed issues with my pro app on my Studio. the app communities don't seem to be having the same issues and when i installed the app on a friends studio, with the exact same age and build, i didn't have the same performance issues. i've done hardware tests and reinstalled the OS. so, the only thought is that after 20 years of migration i've brought too much junk along with me. so i'd like to erase the disc, install Sonoma, then bring my "stuff" over manually. I have an external drive and CCC, but i don't know what "stuff" i should be backing up, and what i should bring back over. i have personal stuff which is not the issue, but music, photos, etc. i know this is in my user, but is coping my user all i need to think about? if that's the case, then how do i know i'm not just bringing the same issues back over?

Back up your Mac Use Time Machine to back up - Apple Support

If you value your user data

3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.

More than one device, more than one backup methodology.

You can get a good look at your User/System config. and reveal conflicts or issues, you can download/run this trusted utility https://etrecheck.com

If you need help interpreting the report you can post it here in its entirety in the "Additional Text" box in the editing toolbar below, in your reply.