Cache

Cache

Django's cache API is always available, while CACHE_BACKEND selects its implementation. Application code should use django.core.cache.cache and should not inspect the selected backend.

Disabled Cache

Caching is disabled by default:

CACHE_BACKEND=dummy

The dummy backend accepts cache operations but never stores values. Application correctness must not depend on cached data.

Local Memory

Use local memory for development or a single-process deployment:

CACHE_BACKEND=locmem

Each process has a separate cache. Do not use this mode when workers need shared values.

Redis

The local Compose stack starts Redis, exposes it on port 6379, and configures the web service to use it.

Install the optional cache dependency:

uv sync --group cache

Configure Redis running on the host:

CACHE_BACKEND=redis
CACHE_URL=redis://127.0.0.1:6379/1

For a Redis service named redis on a Compose network, use:

CACHE_URL=redis://redis:6379/1

The application fails during startup when Redis mode has no URL. Redis connection failures do not silently fall back to process-local memory.