How to remove old log files using Logrotate

Using Logrotate, you can remove older log files such as removing logs older than 24 hours, 7 days, 6 months and so on. You can set your own schedule how to remove old logs.

Follow these instructions. In our example below, we're using Nginx log files:

1. Edit the logrotate configuration file:

    $ nano /etc/logrotate.d/nginx

2. Add a new directive with the maxage parameter that sets the maximum number of days the log is available until it's deleted:

    /var/log/nginx/*.log {
       ...
       maxage 30
       ...
    }

   30 is the number of days, i.e. 30 days.

   

   To remove log files after 24 hours, simply change 30 to 1 (1 day, 24 hours):

    /var/log/nginx/*.log {
       ...
       maxage 1
       ...
    }

   To delete the log files after 6 months, use 182 value for the maxage parameter (182 days is 6 months):

    /var/log/nginx/*.log {
       ...
       maxage 182
       ...
    }

3. Save the /etc/logrotate.d/nginx file changes.