How to create log files with timestamps in filenames using Logrotate

Any Logrotate-managed log files can be include timestamps in the filenames, such as log-2023-01-01.log.

For this to work, update your logrotate configuration. 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 to enforce timestamps into the Nginx log files filenames:

    /var/log/nginx/*.log {
        dateext
        dateformat -%y%m%d
        extension .log
        ...
    }

   If the directive already exists, simply add in:

    dateext
    dateformat -%y%m%d

   

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