diff --git a/docs/roles/_init.md b/docs/roles/_init.md
index 1c7e835e..9cb9e024 100644
--- a/docs/roles/_init.md
+++ b/docs/roles/_init.md
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ These variables **must** be set in the `deploy/common.yml` file, at least.
 # this will ensure defaults to other roles too.
 # If you are using ce-provision to deploy infrastructure this must match the `user_deploy.username` variable
 deploy_user: "deploy"
+# for MySQL CE you might want to add '--set-gtid-purged=OFF --skip-definer' here
 _mysqldump_params: "--max-allowed-packet=128M --single-transaction --skip-opt -e --quick --skip-disable-keys --skip-add-locks -C -a --add-drop-table"
 drupal:
   sites:
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ drupal:
       # End Drupal 8 variables
       # Drupal 7 variables
       revert_features_command: "" # i.e. "fra"
+      revert_ctools_command: "ctools-export-revert --all"
       # End Drupal 7 variables
       sanitize_command: "sql-sanitize"
       base_url: https://www.example.com
@@ -35,6 +37,9 @@ mautic:
   image_path: "media/images"
   force_install: false
 bin_directory: "/home/{{ deploy_user }}/.bin"
+# Number of dumps/db to look up for cleanup.
+cleanup_history_depth: 50
+
 ```
 
 <!--ENDROLEVARS-->
diff --git a/roles/_init/README.md b/roles/_init/README.md
index 1c7e835e..9cb9e024 100644
--- a/roles/_init/README.md
+++ b/roles/_init/README.md
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ These variables **must** be set in the `deploy/common.yml` file, at least.
 # this will ensure defaults to other roles too.
 # If you are using ce-provision to deploy infrastructure this must match the `user_deploy.username` variable
 deploy_user: "deploy"
+# for MySQL CE you might want to add '--set-gtid-purged=OFF --skip-definer' here
 _mysqldump_params: "--max-allowed-packet=128M --single-transaction --skip-opt -e --quick --skip-disable-keys --skip-add-locks -C -a --add-drop-table"
 drupal:
   sites:
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ drupal:
       # End Drupal 8 variables
       # Drupal 7 variables
       revert_features_command: "" # i.e. "fra"
+      revert_ctools_command: "ctools-export-revert --all"
       # End Drupal 7 variables
       sanitize_command: "sql-sanitize"
       base_url: https://www.example.com
@@ -35,6 +37,9 @@ mautic:
   image_path: "media/images"
   force_install: false
 bin_directory: "/home/{{ deploy_user }}/.bin"
+# Number of dumps/db to look up for cleanup.
+cleanup_history_depth: 50
+
 ```
 
 <!--ENDROLEVARS-->
diff --git a/roles/_init/defaults/main.yml b/roles/_init/defaults/main.yml
index 2602afd2..9a955f3e 100644
--- a/roles/_init/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/_init/defaults/main.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ drupal:
       # End Drupal 8 variables
       # Drupal 7 variables
       revert_features_command: "" # i.e. "fra"
-      revert_ctools: true
+      revert_ctools_command: "ctools-export-revert --all"
       # End Drupal 7 variables
       sanitize_command: "sql-sanitize"
       base_url: https://www.example.com
diff --git a/roles/database_apply/database_apply-drupal7/tasks/ctools.yml b/roles/database_apply/database_apply-drupal7/tasks/ctools.yml
index 518996ab..608e1a2f 100644
--- a/roles/database_apply/database_apply-drupal7/tasks/ctools.yml
+++ b/roles/database_apply/database_apply-drupal7/tasks/ctools.yml
@@ -10,6 +10,6 @@
 
 - name: Revert Drupal configuration from Ctools.
   ansible.builtin.shell:
-    cmd: "{{ drush_bin }} -y ctools-export-revert --all"
+    cmd: "{{ drush_bin }} -y {{ site.revert_ctools_command }}"
     chdir: "{{ deploy_path }}/{{ webroot }}/sites/{{ site.folder }}"
   when: ctools_enabled.stdout == "1"
diff --git a/roles/database_apply/database_apply-drupal7/tasks/main.yml b/roles/database_apply/database_apply-drupal7/tasks/main.yml
index d64364c4..4f476253 100644
--- a/roles/database_apply/database_apply-drupal7/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/database_apply/database_apply-drupal7/tasks/main.yml
@@ -54,4 +54,5 @@
   loop_control:
     loop_var: site
   when:
-    - site.revert_ctools
+    - previous_build_number > 0
+    - site.revert_ctools_command | length > 0