Setting default Data Retention value via LANGFUSE_INIT_PROJECT_RETENTION env variable doesn't work.

[ankitjain1510]

Describe your question

In my self-hosted Langfuse, I have configured LANGFUSE_INIT_PROJECT_RETENTION value to 30 days, but when I create a Project from UI, this value is not getting set.

Looking at the code here, it seems to me that without setting LANGFUSE_INIT_PROJECT_ID, LANGFUSE_INIT_PROJECT_RETENTION value won't take effect.

My usecase is that whenever I create new Project from UI, by default the data retention period should get set to 30 days.

Is there any way, I can achieve it?

Langfuse Cloud or Self-Hosted?

Self-Hosted

If Self-Hosted

v3.137.0 EE

If Langfuse Cloud

No response

SDK and integration versions

No response

Pre-Submission Checklist

• I have checked for existing issues/discussions and consulted Langfuse AI.

[inkeep-ai-assistant[bot]]

You're correct in your observation. The LANGFUSE_INIT_PROJECT_RETENTION environment variable is designed specifically for headless initialization and only applies when you're automatically creating a project during startup using the LANGFUSE_INIT_* variables(1)(2).

According to the documentation, LANGFUSE_INIT_PROJECT_RETENTION sets the data retention in days for the project during initialization, but it requires LANGFUSE_INIT_PROJECT_ID to be set as well(1)(2). This variable does not set a default retention value for projects created manually through the UI.

Currently, there is no built-in way to set a default data retention value that automatically applies to all new projects created through the UI. Data retention is configured on a project level, and by default, Langfuse stores event data indefinitely(3). Project owners and administrators must manually change the data retention setting within the Project Settings view for each project(3).

For your use case, you have two options:

1. Use headless initialization - Set up projects programmatically using the LANGFUSE_INIT_* environment variables with LANGFUSE_INIT_PROJECT_RETENTION set to 30 days(1)(2)

2. Use the Projects API - Configure data retention programmatically when creating projects via the projects API(3)

There is an open feature request for global and organization-level data retention configuration that would address your use case(4), but this is not currently available in Langfuse.

📚 Sources:

1. Headless Initialization
2. Deployment Guide (v2)
3. Data Retention
4. Data retention configuration at global and organization levels (not only per project)

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Have another question? Just tag @inkeep.

[jannikmaierhoefer]

Thanks @ankitjain1510, looping in the team to have a look.

[Steffen911]

Hey @ankitjain1510 ,
Inkeep is correct here. Currently, there is no option to have this configured by default. You would have to use the projects API in this case.

You can also use ClickHouse TTLs and bucket lifecycle policies to solve this on an infrastructure level.

We'll log this as a feature request and will give an update here once this becomes part of the product.