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Shrink the systemd journal to a maximum size

destructive rootsystemddebian, ubuntu
Adjust the values, the command updates live
root@server
journalctl --vacuum-size=500M

Removes archived journal files, starting with the oldest, until the used space is below the target value. The deleted logs are gone for good, so back them up first if you are in the middle of troubleshooting. Alternatively, --vacuum-time=2weeks removes everything older than two weeks.

Note: The currently active journal file is not touched. To keep the journal from growing again, also set SystemMaxUse permanently.

Also searched as

  • shrink journal
  • delete old journalctl logs
  • disk full because of journal
  • journalctl vacuum

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