A method includes: receiving a plurality of host commands from a host to access storage media of a solid-state drive (SSD); monitoring a raw rate for performing the plurality of host commands; calculating an average rate by taking an average of the raw rate over a time unit; comparing the average rate against a threshold; detecting that the average rate falls below the threshold indicating an opening of an opportunity window; providing hints for the opportunity window; and determining whether to perform pending or imminent background operations during the opportunity window.