> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getcollate.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Data Retention Application
# Data Retention Application
The **Data Retention** application in **OpenMetadata** automates the cleanup of the internal database to maintain long-term performance and prevent data bloat. It provides administrators with an efficient mechanism to define retention policies for event-related records, ensuring scalability and compliance with data management practices.
## Overview
As **OpenMetadata** processes events related to metadata changes and pipeline executions, it stores these events in internal tables. Over time, these tables can grow significantly and affect system performance. The **Data Retention App** enables automated and scheduled cleanup of outdated records.
### Key Features
* Automated cleanup of outdated internal records.
* Configurable retention periods for different data categories.
* Helps maintain system performance and database efficiency.
* Supports compliance with organizational data retention policies.
## Configuration Options
* **Configuration Key:** `changeEventRetentionPeriod`
**Description:** The number of days to retain change event records
**Default Value:** `7`
* **Configuration Key:** `activityThreadsRetentionPeriod`
**Description:** The number of days to retain activity feed records
**Default Value:** `60`
The retention period is applied to each cleanup target based on its timestamp.
## Cleanup Targets
The app deletes old records from the following internal tables:
* **change\_events:** Stores all metadata change event logs.
* **successful\_sent\_change\_events:** Tracks successfully processed events.
* **consumers\_dlq:** Dead Letter Queue for failed events.
## Implementation Details
* **Schedule:** Runs weekly by default.
* **Cron:** `0 0 * * 0` (every Sunday at midnight).
* **Batch Processing:** Cleans up records in batches of 10,000.
* **Triggering:** Can be executed manually or allowed to run on schedule.
* **Application Class:** `org.openmetadata.service.apps.bundles.dataRetention.DataRetention`
* **Permission Requirement:** Requires admin privileges to configure or trigger.
## How to Access
1. Go to **Settings > Applications** and then click on **Add apps**.
2. Select or install the **Data Retention** application.
3. Configure the desired retention period.
4. Run manually or let it operate on its default schedule.
