Add send-log retention days to panel Settings.

Global administrators can set delivery journal retention (7-365 days) in SQLite;
SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS seeds the initial default and the log-tailer re-reads
the value every prune cycle without a restart.

Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -5,6 +5,18 @@ Format follows [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/); version
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Added
+
+- Panel **Settings** (global administrator): **Send log retention (days)** —
+  how long delivery journal rows on `/deliveries` are kept (7–365). Stored in
+  SQLite `settings`; `SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS` seeds the initial default only.
+  The log-tailer re-reads the value every prune cycle (no restart).
+
+### Changed
+
+- Deliveries list and delivery detail pages show the configured retention
+  instead of a hardcoded ninety-day message.
+
 ## [1.4.0] - 2026-08-17
 
 Optional inbound relay (backup-MX / forwarder) on port 25, off by default.

cmd/panel/httpserver.go

@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ func newPanel(cfg config, st *store.Store) (*web.Server, error) {
 		RateLimitWindowSeconds: cfg.rateLimitWindowSeconds,
 		RetryPolicy:                 retryPolicy,
 		InboundEnabled:              cfg.inboundEnabled,
+		SendLogRetentionEnvDefault: cfg.retentionDays,
 	}, cfg.setupTokenPath)
 }
 

cmd/panel/main.go

@@ -249,6 +249,10 @@ func run() error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	if err := st.EnsureSendLogRetentionDays(cfg.retentionDays); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("bootstrap send-log retention: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 	errc := make(chan error, 3)
 
@@ -258,7 +262,16 @@ func run() error {
 	}{
 		{"http", func(ctx context.Context) error { return serveHTTP(ctx, cfg, st) }},
 		{"journal-milter", func(ctx context.Context) error { return serveJournal(ctx, cfg, st) }},
-		{"log-tailer", func(ctx context.Context) error { return logtail.Run(ctx, cfg.mailLog, st, cfg.retentionDays) }},
+		{"log-tailer", func(ctx context.Context) error {
+			return logtail.Run(ctx, cfg.mailLog, st, func() int {
+				days, err := st.GetSendLogRetentionDays(cfg.retentionDays)
+				if err != nil {
+					log.Printf("send-log retention: %v", err)
+					return cfg.retentionDays
+				}
+				return days
+			})
+		}},
 	}
 
 	for _, r := range roles {

docs/guide.md

@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ expected to set; defaults match the code exactly.
 | `INBOUND_MESSAGE_SIZE_LIMIT` | Maximum message size in bytes on inbound smtpd (`message_size_limit`). | `26214400` (25 MiB) | `.env` |
 | `RATE_LIMIT_MESSAGES_PER_IP` | Level-1 backstop: maximum messages one client IP may submit per window (Postfix `smtpd_client_message_rate_limit`). See [Rate limiting — level 1](#rate-limiting--level-1-ip-backstop). | `100` | `.env` |
 | `RATE_LIMIT_WINDOW_SECONDS` | Level-1 window length in seconds (Postfix `anvil_rate_time_unit`). | `3600` | `.env` |
-| `SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS` | Days of send-log history kept before the background sweep deletes rows — the main driver of `/data` growth over time. | `90` | `.env` |
+| `SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS` | Initial default for how many days of send-log history are kept before the background sweep deletes rows — the main driver of `/data` growth over time. After the first panel start, change retention on **Settings** (global administrator); the env value is only used to seed SQLite when the setting has never been saved. | `90` | `.env` |
 | `PANEL_SESSION_IDLE_DAYS` | Sliding idle timeout for the panel login session, in days. There is no absolute cap: an admin who keeps coming back stays signed in indefinitely. | `7` | `.env` |
 | `SELFPOST_DNS_RESOLVERS` | Comma-separated recursive resolvers the panel's PTR/SPF/DKIM/DMARC checks query directly (so they report what the internet sees, not what this host's stub resolver synthesises). | `1.1.1.1:53`, `8.8.8.8:53`, `9.9.9.9:53` when unset | `.env` |
 | `TRUSTED_PROXY_CIDR` | Comma-separated CIDRs (bare IPs allowed) of reverse proxies allowed to supply `X-Forwarded-For` for login, setup, and account-change rate-limiting. **Leave unset unless you know the exact address of your reverse proxy.** A wrong value lets a client spoof its rate-limit key by sending a forged `X-Forwarded-For` header — the panel trusts the last hop only when the TCP peer matches one of these CIDRs. Behind the default Apache host-network setup this is typically the Docker bridge gateway, e.g. `172.18.0.1`. | *(empty — XFF ignored)* | `.env` |
@@ -347,8 +347,10 @@ shows after manual edits under `/data`.
 `/settings` changes the signed-in user's username and/or password. **Global
 administrators** also set the panel-wide default DMARC report address (`rua=`)
 offered when a domain doesn't set its own — see
-[Domain-level DNS](#domain-level-dns-spf-dkim-dmarc). Application SASL logins
+[Domain-level DNS](#domain-level-dns-spf-dkim-dmarc) — and how many days
-are separate and are not changed here.
+**Deliveries** rows are kept before the background sweep deletes them (7–365
+days; takes effect on the next six-hour prune cycle without a container
+restart). Application SASL logins are separate and are not changed here.
 
 ### Users
 
@@ -741,8 +743,9 @@ administrators see them here because they cannot open Mail queue. Under
 both sit the `mail.log` lines for its queue id: the connection to the
 receiving server, the server's reply, and the status that reply was filed
 as. Rows outlive `mail.log`, so an older message's lines may have rotated
-away; the page says so. Retention is controlled by
+away; the page says so. Retention is set on **Settings** (global
-`SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS`.
+administrator); `SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS` in `.env` is only the initial
+default until it is changed there.
 
 ### Exporting and importing a single domain
 

docs/plans/send-log-retention.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Plan: send-log-retention
 
-**Status:** candidate  
+**Status:** done  
 **Date:** 2026-08-17  
 **Version:** `1.x` MINOR; no schema migration required (uses existing `settings` table).
 
@@ -129,11 +129,11 @@ Target version cut: **`1.5.0`** (MINOR). One commit per step; code only after
 roadmap status is **agreed**. See [development.md](../development.md) § Plan
 checklists.
 
-- [ ] `GetSendLogRetentionDays` / `SetSetting` key `send_log_retention_days` (7–365) — **Opus**
+- [x] `GetSendLogRetentionDays` / `SetSetting` key `send_log_retention_days` (7–365) — **Opus**
-- [ ] Bootstrap from `SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS` when settings empty — **Opus**
+- [x] Bootstrap from `SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS` when settings empty — **Opus**
-- [ ] `logtail.retentionLoop`: read setting each prune cycle — **Opus**
+- [x] `logtail.retentionLoop`: read setting each prune cycle — **Opus**
-- [ ] Settings card on `/settings` (`settings.html`) — **Sonnet**
+- [x] Settings card on `/settings` (`settings.html`) — **Sonnet**
-- [ ] Remove hardcoded «ninety days» in handlers and templates — **Sonnet**
+- [x] Remove hardcoded «ninety days» in handlers and templates — **Sonnet**
-- [ ] Tests: save/load, range, loop without restart — **Sonnet**
+- [x] Tests: save/load, range, loop without restart — **Sonnet**
-- [ ] [guide.md](../guide.md) — **Sonnet**
+- [x] [guide.md](../guide.md) — **Sonnet**
-- [ ] `go vet`, `go test` on touched packages — **Haiku**
+- [x] `go vet`, `go test` on touched packages — **Haiku**

docs/roadmap.md

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ in `git log` and [CHANGELOG.md](../CHANGELOG.md).
 
 | ID | Topic | Status | Progress | Plan |
 |---|---|---|---|---|
-| send-log-retention | Send-log retention days in panel Settings | candidate | 0/8 | [plans/send-log-retention.md](plans/send-log-retention.md) |
+| send-log-retention | Send-log retention days in panel Settings | done | 8/8 | [plans/send-log-retention.md](plans/send-log-retention.md) |
 | domain-stats-auto-ratelimit | 30-day send stats + auto level-2 rate limit | candidate | 0/11 | [plans/domain-stats-auto-ratelimit.md](plans/domain-stats-auto-ratelimit.md) |
 | contributing | `CONTRIBUTING.md` | candidate | — | — |
 | dmarc-reports | DMARC aggregate report ingestion and panel UI | candidate | 0/8 | [plans/dmarc-reports.md](plans/dmarc-reports.md) |

internal/logtail/logtail.go

@@ -39,17 +39,15 @@ type StatusStore interface {
 // is a var so tests can shorten it.
 var pollInterval = time.Second
 
+// retentionInterval is how often the retention sweep runs (also once at
+// startup). It is a var so tests can shorten it.
+var retentionInterval = 6 * time.Hour
+
 // queueIDs lists the messages Postfix currently holds, for the reconcile sweep.
 // It is a var so tests can answer without a running Postfix.
 var queueIDs = postfix.QueueIDs
 
 const (
-	// retentionInterval is how often the retention sweep runs (also once at
-	// startup). The window itself is configurable; the cadence need not be.
-	retentionInterval = 6 * time.Hour
-	// defaultRetentionDays applies when the configured value is unset/invalid
-	// (guide § Environment variables: SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS).
-	defaultRetentionDays = 90
 	// reconcileInterval is how often the sweep compares stuck rows against the
 	// Postfix queue, and reconcileGrace how long a row is left alone first.
 	// The grace covers the ordinary lag between the milter writing the row and
@@ -59,6 +57,10 @@ const (
 	reconcileGrace    = 2 * time.Minute
 )
 
+// RetentionDays returns the send-log retention window in days. The log-tailer
+// calls it on every prune cycle so a panel change takes effect without restart.
+type RetentionDays func() int
+
 // deliveryRe matches a Postfix delivery line and captures queue-id, recipient
 // and status, e.g.
 //
@@ -98,11 +100,11 @@ func parseDelivery(line string) (queueID, recipient, status string, ok bool) {
 }
 
 // Run follows path and updates send-log statuses until ctx is cancelled, while
-// a background sweep prunes rows older than retentionDays. Reading resumes at
+// a background sweep prunes rows older than retention(). Reading resumes at
 // the offset the previous run persisted, so a restart parses the delivery lines
 // written while the panel was down. It returns nil on a clean shutdown.
-func Run(ctx context.Context, path string, st StatusStore, retentionDays int) error {
+func Run(ctx context.Context, path string, st StatusStore, retention RetentionDays) error {
-	go retentionLoop(ctx, st, retentionDays)
+	go retentionLoop(ctx, st, retention)
 
 	// The reconcile sweep must not run against a backlog the tailer has not
 	// read yet: on a restart the log holds the very lines that resolve the rows
@@ -192,11 +194,12 @@ func reconcile(st StatusStore, cutoff time.Time) {
 }
 
 // retentionLoop prunes expired send-log rows immediately and then periodically.
-func retentionLoop(ctx context.Context, st StatusStore, retentionDays int) {
+func retentionLoop(ctx context.Context, st StatusStore, retention RetentionDays) {
-	if retentionDays <= 0 {
-		retentionDays = defaultRetentionDays
-	}
 	prune := func() {
+		retentionDays := retention()
+		if retentionDays <= 0 {
+			retentionDays = store.SendLogRetentionDaysDefault
+		}
 		cutoff := time.Now().UTC().AddDate(0, 0, -retentionDays)
 		n, err := st.DeleteSendLogBefore(cutoff)
 		if err != nil {

internal/logtail/logtail_test.go

@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ func TestFollowTailsAndRotates(t *testing.T) {
 	cs := &captureStore{}
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	done := make(chan error, 1)
-	go func() { done <- Run(ctx, path, cs, 90) }()
+	go func() { done <- Run(ctx, path, cs, func() int { return 90 }) }()
 
 	// Give follow() time to open at EOF (it seeks to end immediately on start,
 	// so the seed line above is ignored), then append a delivery line.
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ func startRun(t *testing.T, path string, cs *captureStore) func() {
 	t.Helper()
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	done := make(chan error, 1)
-	go func() { done <- Run(ctx, path, cs, 90) }()
+	go func() { done <- Run(ctx, path, cs, func() int { return 90 }) }()
 	// follow() opens and seeks on start; give it a moment before the caller
 	// appends, so the append is not raced by the initial open.
 	time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)

internal/logtail/retention_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+package logtail
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/mixeme/selfpost/internal/store"
+)
+
+type retentionProbeStore struct {
+	mu     sync.Mutex
+	cutoff time.Time
+}
+
+func (s *retentionProbeStore) UpdateStatus(string, string, string) (int64, error) {
+	return 0, nil
+}
+
+func (s *retentionProbeStore) ListQueuedOlderThan(time.Time) ([]store.QueuedDelivery, error) {
+	return nil, nil
+}
+
+func (s *retentionProbeStore) DeleteSendLogBefore(cutoff time.Time) (int64, error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.cutoff = cutoff
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	return 0, nil
+}
+
+func (s *retentionProbeStore) LogtailState(string) (store.LogtailState, bool, error) {
+	return store.LogtailState{}, false, nil
+}
+
+func (s *retentionProbeStore) SaveLogtailState(string, store.LogtailState) error {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *retentionProbeStore) lastCutoff() time.Time {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	return s.cutoff
+}
+
+// retentionLoop must re-read the configured window every cycle so a panel
+// change takes effect without restarting the process.
+func TestRetentionLoopUsesUpdatedValue(t *testing.T) {
+	old := retentionInterval
+	retentionInterval = 20 * time.Millisecond
+	t.Cleanup(func() { retentionInterval = old })
+
+	var days atomic.Int32
+	days.Store(30)
+
+	st := &retentionProbeStore{}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go retentionLoop(ctx, st, func() int { return int(days.Load()) })
+
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if age := time.Since(st.lastCutoff()); age < 31*24*time.Hour && age > 29*24*time.Hour {
+			break
+		}
+		time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	if age := time.Since(st.lastCutoff()); age < 29*24*time.Hour || age > 31*24*time.Hour {
+		t.Fatalf("first prune cutoff age %v, want about 30 days", age)
+	}
+
+	days.Store(7)
+	deadline = time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if age := time.Since(st.lastCutoff()); age < 8*24*time.Hour && age > 6*24*time.Hour {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	age := time.Since(st.lastCutoff())
+	t.Fatalf("second prune cutoff age %v, want about 7 days", age)
+}

internal/store/settings.go

@@ -4,8 +4,79 @@ import (
 	"database/sql"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"strconv"
 )
 
+const (
+	// SendLogRetentionDaysKey is the settings table key for delivery-journal
+	// retention (architecture.md § Persistence).
+	SendLogRetentionDaysKey = "send_log_retention_days"
+	SendLogRetentionDaysMin = 7
+	SendLogRetentionDaysMax = 365
+	// SendLogRetentionDaysDefault matches SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS when unset.
+	SendLogRetentionDaysDefault = 90
+)
+
+// ErrSendLogRetentionDaysOutOfRange is returned when retention is outside the
+// allowed panel range.
+var ErrSendLogRetentionDaysOutOfRange = errors.New("send log retention days out of range")
+
+// ValidateSendLogRetentionDays checks the panel-allowed retention window.
+func ValidateSendLogRetentionDays(days int) error {
+	if days < SendLogRetentionDaysMin || days > SendLogRetentionDaysMax {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: must be between %d and %d days", ErrSendLogRetentionDaysOutOfRange, SendLogRetentionDaysMin, SendLogRetentionDaysMax)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func sendLogRetentionFallback(envDefault int) int {
+	if envDefault > 0 {
+		if err := ValidateSendLogRetentionDays(envDefault); err == nil {
+			return envDefault
+		}
+	}
+	return SendLogRetentionDaysDefault
+}
+
+// GetSendLogRetentionDays returns the effective retention window. When the
+// setting is missing or invalid, envDefault is used (guide § Environment
+// variables: SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS).
+func (s *Store) GetSendLogRetentionDays(envDefault int) (int, error) {
+	raw, err := s.GetSetting(SendLogRetentionDaysKey)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	if raw == "" {
+		return sendLogRetentionFallback(envDefault), nil
+	}
+	days, err := strconv.Atoi(raw)
+	if err != nil || ValidateSendLogRetentionDays(days) != nil {
+		return sendLogRetentionFallback(envDefault), nil
+	}
+	return days, nil
+}
+
+// SetSendLogRetentionDays persists the panel-configured retention window.
+func (s *Store) SetSendLogRetentionDays(days int) error {
+	if err := ValidateSendLogRetentionDays(days); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return s.SetSetting(SendLogRetentionDaysKey, strconv.Itoa(days))
+}
+
+// EnsureSendLogRetentionDays seeds the setting from envDefault when it has
+// never been written (first panel start after upgrade).
+func (s *Store) EnsureSendLogRetentionDays(envDefault int) error {
+	raw, err := s.GetSetting(SendLogRetentionDaysKey)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if raw != "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return s.SetSendLogRetentionDays(sendLogRetentionFallback(envDefault))
+}
+
 // GetSetting returns a settings value or empty string when missing.
 func (s *Store) GetSetting(key string) (string, error) {
 	var value string

internal/store/settings_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+package store
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestSendLogRetentionDaysSaveLoad(t *testing.T) {
+	st := openTestStore(t)
+
+	if err := st.SetSendLogRetentionDays(45); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetSendLogRetentionDays: %v", err)
+	}
+	got, err := st.GetSendLogRetentionDays(90)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GetSendLogRetentionDays: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got != 45 {
+		t.Fatalf("got %d, want 45", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSendLogRetentionDaysRejectsOutOfRange(t *testing.T) {
+	st := openTestStore(t)
+
+	for _, days := range []int{0, 6, 366, -1} {
+		if err := st.SetSendLogRetentionDays(days); err == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("SetSendLogRetentionDays(%d) want error", days)
+		} else if !errors.Is(err, ErrSendLogRetentionDaysOutOfRange) {
+			t.Fatalf("SetSendLogRetentionDays(%d) = %v, want ErrSendLogRetentionDaysOutOfRange", days, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSendLogRetentionDaysBootstrapFromEnv(t *testing.T) {
+	st := openTestStore(t)
+
+	if err := st.EnsureSendLogRetentionDays(120); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("EnsureSendLogRetentionDays: %v", err)
+	}
+	got, err := st.GetSendLogRetentionDays(90)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GetSendLogRetentionDays: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got != 120 {
+		t.Fatalf("got %d, want 120", got)
+	}
+
+	// Second call is a no-op.
+	if err := st.EnsureSendLogRetentionDays(30); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("EnsureSendLogRetentionDays again: %v", err)
+	}
+	got, err = st.GetSendLogRetentionDays(90)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GetSendLogRetentionDays: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got != 120 {
+		t.Fatalf("after second ensure got %d, want 120", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSendLogRetentionDaysMissingUsesEnvDefault(t *testing.T) {
+	st := openTestStore(t)
+
+	got, err := st.GetSendLogRetentionDays(60)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GetSendLogRetentionDays: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got != 60 {
+		t.Fatalf("got %d, want 60", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSendLogRetentionDaysInvalidStoredFallsBack(t *testing.T) {
+	st := openTestStore(t)
+
+	if err := st.SetSetting(SendLogRetentionDaysKey, "not-a-number"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetSetting: %v", err)
+	}
+	got, err := st.GetSendLogRetentionDays(60)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GetSendLogRetentionDays: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got != 60 {
+		t.Fatalf("got %d, want env fallback 60", got)
+	}
+}

internal/web/handlers/handlers.go

@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ type Config struct {
 	// InboundEnabled mirrors INBOUND_RELAY_ENABLE: the inbound panel and
 	// routes exist only when this is true.
 	InboundEnabled bool
+	// SendLogRetentionEnvDefault is SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS at panel start; used
+	// as bootstrap and fallback when the settings row is missing or invalid.
+	SendLogRetentionEnvDefault int
 }
 
 // Handlers holds dependencies for authenticated panel routes.

internal/web/handlers/handlers_monitor.go

@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ func (h *Handlers) HandleDelivery(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		"User":                  auth.CurrentUser(r),
 		"Active":                "deliveries",
 		"IsGlobal":              p.IsGlobal(),
+		"SendLogRetentionDays":  h.sendLogRetentionDays(),
 		"Row":      row,
 		// The status in the panel's own badge vocabulary, so the headline reads
 		// the same way as every other health signal in the panel.
@@ -270,10 +271,8 @@ func (h *Handlers) deliveryLog(row store.SendLogRow) ([]deliveryLogRow, string)
 		return nil, "Could not read the mail log."
 	}
 	if len(lines) == 0 {
-		// Send-log rows outlive mail.log: retention is ninety days by default
+		days := h.sendLogRetentionDays()
-		// and rotation keeps fourteen files, so an older message having nothing
+		return nil, fmt.Sprintf("Nothing for this queue id in the current mail log. Its lines have most likely been rotated away (send-log rows are kept for %d days).", days)
-		// left to show is the normal end state, not a fault.
-		return nil, "Nothing for this queue id in the current mail log. Its lines have most likely been rotated away."
 	}
 	out := make([]deliveryLogRow, len(lines))
 	for i, line := range lines {
@@ -397,6 +396,7 @@ func (h *Handlers) sendLogData(r *http.Request) (map[string]any, error) {
 		"LastPage":             lastPage,
 		"HasPrev":              page > 1,
 		"HasNext":              page < lastPage,
+		"SendLogRetentionDays": h.sendLogRetentionDays(),
 	}, nil
 }
 

internal/web/handlers/handlers_monitor_test.go

@@ -191,12 +191,19 @@ func TestDeliveryPageKeepsAnUnstampedLogLineWhole(t *testing.T) {
 // queue at all. Neither is a fault, so neither may render as an error.
 func TestDeliveryPageExplainsAnEmptyDeliveryLog(t *testing.T) {
 	h, row := serverWithDelivery(t)
+	h.cfg.SendLogRetentionEnvDefault = 60
+	if err := h.store.SetSendLogRetentionDays(60); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetSendLogRetentionDays: %v", err)
+	}
 	h.cfg.MailLogPath = filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "mail.log") // never created
 
 	out := getBody(t, h.HandleDelivery, "/deliveries/"+itoa(row.ID))
 	if !strings.Contains(out, "rotated away") {
 		t.Errorf("delivery page does not explain the empty delivery log:\n%s", out)
 	}
+	if !strings.Contains(out, "kept for 60 days") {
+		t.Errorf("delivery page does not show configured retention:\n%s", out)
+	}
 	if strings.Contains(out, `class="error"`) || strings.Contains(out, "Could not read the mail log") {
 		t.Errorf("an aged-out delivery log is reported as a failure:\n%s", out)
 	}

internal/web/handlers/handlers_settings.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"net/http"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ func (h *Handlers) HandleSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			http.Error(w, "internal error", http.StatusInternalServerError)
 			return
 		}
-		h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusOK, "", u.Username, u.DMARCReportEmail, p.IsGlobal())
+		h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusOK, "", u.Username, u.DMARCReportEmail, h.sendLogRetentionDays(), p.IsGlobal())
 	case http.MethodPost:
 		h.submitSettings(w, r)
 	default:
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ func (h *Handlers) HandleSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (h *Handlers) renderSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, status int, formErr, formUsername, formDMARCEmail string, showDMARC bool) {
+func (h *Handlers) renderSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, status int, formErr, formUsername, formDMARCEmail string, formSendLogRetentionDays int, showDMARC bool) {
 	var reportAuth dnscheck.Result
 	if showDMARC && formDMARCEmail != "" {
 		if hub := dnscheck.EmailDomain(formDMARCEmail); hub != "" {
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ func (h *Handlers) renderSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, status
 	data["Active"] = "settings"
 	data["FormUsername"] = formUsername
 	data["FormDMARCEmail"] = formDMARCEmail
+	data["FormSendLogRetentionDays"] = formSendLogRetentionDays
 	data["ShowDMARC"] = showDMARC
 	data["ReportAuthName"] = dnscheck.ReportAuthRecordName(dnscheck.EmailDomain(formDMARCEmail))
 	data["ReportAuthExample"] = dnscheck.ReportAuthExample()
@@ -74,6 +76,8 @@ func settingsFlash(r *http.Request) string {
 		return "Username and password changed. Any other signed-in sessions were signed out."
 	case "email":
 		return "DMARC report address updated."
+	case "retention":
+		return "Send log retention updated."
 	case "username-email":
 		return "Username and DMARC report address updated."
 	case "password-email":
@@ -86,23 +90,23 @@ func settingsFlash(r *http.Request) string {
 }
 
 func (h *Handlers) submitSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	if !h.auth.AllowLoginAttempt(r) {
-		p, _ := h.principal(r)
-		h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusTooManyRequests,
-			"Too many attempts. Please wait and try again.", auth.CurrentUser(r), "", p.IsGlobal())
-		return
-	}
-	if err := r.ParseForm(); err != nil {
-		p, _ := h.principal(r)
-		h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, "Invalid form submission.", auth.CurrentUser(r), "", p.IsGlobal())
-		return
-	}
-
 	p, ok := h.principal(r)
 	if !ok {
 		http.Error(w, "internal error", http.StatusInternalServerError)
 		return
 	}
+	currentRetention := h.sendLogRetentionDays()
+
+	if !h.auth.AllowLoginAttempt(r) {
+		h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusTooManyRequests,
+			"Too many attempts. Please wait and try again.", auth.CurrentUser(r), "", currentRetention, p.IsGlobal())
+		return
+	}
+	if err := r.ParseForm(); err != nil {
+		h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, "Invalid form submission.", auth.CurrentUser(r), "", currentRetention, p.IsGlobal())
+		return
+	}
+
 	user, err := h.store.GetUser(p.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		logf("panel: settings: get user failed: %v", err)
@@ -115,49 +119,66 @@ func (h *Handlers) submitSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	password := r.PostFormValue("new_password")
 	confirm := r.PostFormValue("new_password_confirm")
 	dmarcEmail := strings.TrimSpace(r.PostFormValue("dmarc_report_email"))
+	formRetention := currentRetention
 	if !p.IsGlobal() {
 		dmarcEmail = user.DMARCReportEmail
+	} else if raw := strings.TrimSpace(r.PostFormValue("send_log_retention_days")); raw != "" {
+		parsed, err := strconv.Atoi(raw)
+		if err != nil {
+			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, "Send log retention must be a whole number of days.", username, dmarcEmail, currentRetention, true)
+			return
+		}
+		formRetention = parsed
 	}
 	if username == "" {
 		username = user.Username
 	}
 
 	if err := bcrypt.CompareHashAndPassword([]byte(user.PasswordHash), []byte(current)); err != nil {
-		h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusUnauthorized, "Current password is incorrect.", username, dmarcEmail, p.IsGlobal())
+		h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusUnauthorized, "Current password is incorrect.", username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, p.IsGlobal())
 		return
 	}
 
 	renaming := username != user.Username
 	if renaming {
 		if err := validate.Username(username); err != nil {
-			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error(), username, dmarcEmail, p.IsGlobal())
+			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error(), username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, p.IsGlobal())
 			return
 		}
 	}
 
 	if p.IsGlobal() {
 		if err := validate.Email(dmarcEmail); err != nil {
-			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error(), username, dmarcEmail, true)
+			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error(), username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, true)
 			return
 		}
 	}
 
 	emailChanging := p.IsGlobal() && dmarcEmail != user.DMARCReportEmail
 
+	retentionChanging := false
+	if p.IsGlobal() && formRetention != currentRetention {
+		if err := store.ValidateSendLogRetentionDays(formRetention); err != nil {
+			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error(), username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, true)
+			return
+		}
+		retentionChanging = true
+	}
+
 	repassword := password != "" || confirm != ""
 	if repassword {
 		if password != confirm {
-			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, "New passwords do not match.", username, dmarcEmail, p.IsGlobal())
+			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, "New passwords do not match.", username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, p.IsGlobal())
 			return
 		}
 		if err := validate.AdminPassword(password); err != nil {
-			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error(), username, dmarcEmail, p.IsGlobal())
+			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error(), username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, p.IsGlobal())
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if !renaming && !repassword && !emailChanging {
+	if !renaming && !repassword && !emailChanging && !retentionChanging {
 		h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusBadRequest,
-			"Nothing to change: enter a new username, password, or DMARC report address.", username, dmarcEmail, p.IsGlobal())
+			"Nothing to change: enter a new username, password, DMARC report address, or send log retention.", username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, p.IsGlobal())
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -167,12 +188,13 @@ func (h *Handlers) submitSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		if err != nil {
 			logf("panel: settings: hashing password failed: %v", err)
 			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusInternalServerError,
-				"Internal error. Please try again.", username, dmarcEmail, p.IsGlobal())
+				"Internal error. Please try again.", username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, p.IsGlobal())
 			return
 		}
 		hash = string(newHash)
 	}
 
+	if renaming || repassword || emailChanging {
 		if err := h.store.UpdateUser(user.ID, username, hash, dmarcEmail); err != nil {
 			logf("panel: settings: update user failed: %v", err)
 			msg := "Could not save the changes. Please check the logs and try again."
@@ -181,12 +203,22 @@ func (h *Handlers) submitSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			}
 			if errors.Is(err, store.ErrUserExists) {
 				msg = "That username is already in use."
-			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusConflict, msg, username, dmarcEmail, p.IsGlobal())
+				h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusConflict, msg, username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, p.IsGlobal())
 				return
 			}
-		h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusInternalServerError, msg, username, dmarcEmail, p.IsGlobal())
+			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusInternalServerError, msg, username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, p.IsGlobal())
 			return
 		}
+	}
+
+	if retentionChanging {
+		if err := h.store.SetSendLogRetentionDays(formRetention); err != nil {
+			logf("panel: settings: set send-log retention failed: %v", err)
+			h.renderSettings(w, r, http.StatusInternalServerError,
+				"Could not save send log retention. Please check the logs and try again.", username, dmarcEmail, formRetention, true)
+			return
+		}
+	}
 
 	if token, ok := h.auth.SessionToken(r); ok {
 		if renaming {
@@ -197,25 +229,48 @@ func (h *Handlers) submitSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	logf("panel: user %d settings updated (username: %t, password: %t, dmarc email: %t)", user.ID, renaming, repassword, emailChanging)
+	logf("panel: user %d settings updated (username: %t, password: %t, dmarc email: %t, retention: %t)", user.ID, renaming, repassword, emailChanging, retentionChanging)
-	http.Redirect(w, r, "/settings?updated="+updatedFlag(renaming, repassword, emailChanging), http.StatusSeeOther)
+	http.Redirect(w, r, "/settings?updated="+updatedFlag(renaming, repassword, emailChanging, retentionChanging), http.StatusSeeOther)
 }
 
-func updatedFlag(renamed, repassword, emailChanged bool) string {
+func updatedFlag(renamed, repassword, emailChanged, retentionChanged bool) string {
-	switch {
+	changed := 0
-	case renamed && repassword && emailChanged:
+	if renamed {
+		changed++
+	}
+	if repassword {
+		changed++
+	}
+	if emailChanged {
+		changed++
+	}
+	if retentionChanged {
+		changed++
+	}
+	if changed > 1 {
 		return "all"
-	case renamed && emailChanged:
+	}
-		return "username-email"
+	switch {
-	case repassword && emailChanged:
-		return "password-email"
-	case renamed && repassword:
-		return "both"
 	case renamed:
 		return "username"
 	case repassword:
 		return "password"
-	default:
+	case emailChanged:
 		return "email"
+	default:
+		return "retention"
 	}
 }
+
+// sendLogRetentionDays returns the effective delivery-journal retention window.
+func (h *Handlers) sendLogRetentionDays() int {
+	days, err := h.store.GetSendLogRetentionDays(h.cfg.SendLogRetentionEnvDefault)
+	if err != nil {
+		logf("panel: send-log retention: %v", err)
+		if h.cfg.SendLogRetentionEnvDefault > 0 {
+			return h.cfg.SendLogRetentionEnvDefault
+		}
+		return store.SendLogRetentionDaysDefault
+	}
+	return days
+}

internal/web/handlers/handlers_settings_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+package handlers
+
+import (
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"net/url"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/mixeme/selfpost/internal/dnscheck"
+	"github.com/mixeme/selfpost/internal/store"
+	"github.com/mixeme/selfpost/internal/web/auth"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/bcrypt"
+)
+
+func TestSettingsPageShowsSendLogRetention(t *testing.T) {
+	h, _ := settingsServer(t)
+	if err := h.store.SetSendLogRetentionDays(45); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetSendLogRetentionDays: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	out := getBody(t, h.HandleSettings, "/settings")
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		`id="deliveries-retention"`,
+		`name="send_log_retention_days"`,
+		`value="45"`,
+		"Send log retention",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(out, want) {
+			t.Errorf("settings page missing %q:\n%s", want, out)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSubmitSettingsSavesSendLogRetention(t *testing.T) {
+	h, password := settingsServer(t)
+
+	values := url.Values{
+		"username":                {"admin"},
+		"current_password":        {password},
+		"send_log_retention_days": {"120"},
+	}
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/settings", strings.NewReader(values.Encode()))
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/x-www-form-urlencoded")
+	req = auth.RequestWithPrincipal(req, globalPrincipal)
+
+	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	h.HandleSettings(rec, req)
+	if rec.Code != http.StatusSeeOther {
+		t.Fatalf("POST /settings = %d, want 303:\n%s", rec.Code, rec.Body.String())
+	}
+
+	got, err := h.store.GetSendLogRetentionDays(90)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GetSendLogRetentionDays: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got != 120 {
+		t.Fatalf("retention = %d, want 120", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSubmitSettingsRejectsOutOfRangeRetention(t *testing.T) {
+	h, password := settingsServer(t)
+
+	values := url.Values{
+		"username":                {"admin"},
+		"current_password":        {password},
+		"send_log_retention_days": {"3"},
+	}
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/settings", strings.NewReader(values.Encode()))
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/x-www-form-urlencoded")
+	req = auth.RequestWithPrincipal(req, globalPrincipal)
+
+	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	h.HandleSettings(rec, req)
+	if rec.Code != http.StatusBadRequest {
+		t.Fatalf("POST /settings = %d, want 400:\n%s", rec.Code, rec.Body.String())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(rec.Body.String(), "between 7 and 365") {
+		t.Errorf("expected range error in body:\n%s", rec.Body.String())
+	}
+}
+
+func settingsServer(t *testing.T) (*Handlers, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	st, err := store.Open(filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "test.db"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("open store: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = st.Close() })
+
+	const password = "correct-password-here!"
+	hash, err := bcrypt.GenerateFromPassword([]byte(password), bcrypt.MinCost)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("hash password: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := st.CreateUser("admin", string(hash), store.RoleGlobal, nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("create user: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	v := mustView(t)
+	a := auth.New(st, auth.Config{}, v, filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "setup-token"))
+	return &Handlers{
+		store: st,
+		view:  v,
+		auth:  a,
+		dns:   dnscheck.New(nil),
+		cfg:   Config{SendLogRetentionEnvDefault: 90},
+	}, password
+}

internal/web/view/templates/deliveries.html

@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@
 {{define "content"}}
 <h1>Deliveries</h1>
 
+<p class="muted">Rows older than {{.SendLogRetentionDays}} days are deleted
+automatically.{{if .IsGlobal}} Change retention on
+<a href="/settings">Settings</a>.{{end}}</p>
+
 <div class="card">
   <h2>Filter</h2>
   <form method="get" action="/deliveries">

internal/web/view/templates/settings.html

@@ -77,10 +77,23 @@
   </div>
 </div>
 
+<div class="card" id="deliveries-retention">
+  <h2>Deliveries</h2>
+  <p class="muted">How long rows on <a href="/deliveries">Deliveries</a> are
+  kept before the background sweep deletes them — the main driver of
+  <code>/data</code> growth over time. Does not affect <code>mail.log</code>
+  rotation (fourteen daily files).</p>
+
+  <label for="send_log_retention_days">Send log retention (days)</label>
+  <input id="send_log_retention_days" name="send_log_retention_days" type="number"
+         min="7" max="365" step="1" required
+         value="{{.FormSendLogRetentionDays}}">
+</div>
+
 <button type="submit">Save changes</button>
-<p class="muted">Leave both new-password fields empty to change the username
+<p class="muted">Leave both new-password fields empty to change the username,
-or DMARC address only. Changing the password signs out every other session;
+DMARC address, or send log retention only. Changing the password signs out
-this one stays signed in.</p>
+every other session; this one stays signed in.</p>
 </form>
 {{else}}
 <div class="card narrow">

internal/web/view/templates_test.go

@@ -300,11 +300,15 @@ func TestSettingsPageDocumentsRateLimits(t *testing.T) {
 	if !strings.Contains(src, `id="rate-limits"`) {
 		t.Error("settings should include a sending rate limits card")
 	}
+	if !strings.Contains(src, `id="deliveries-retention"`) {
+		t.Error("settings should include a send log retention card for global administrators")
+	}
 	for _, want := range []string{
 		"RATE_LIMIT_MESSAGES_PER_IP",
 		"Level 2 — domain",
 		"trusted IPs",
 		"{{.L1Messages}} messages / {{.L1Window}} seconds",
+		`name="send_log_retention_days"`,
 	} {
 		if !strings.Contains(src, want) {
 			t.Errorf("settings rate limits card missing %q", want)

internal/web/web.go

@@ -85,6 +85,8 @@ type Config struct {
 	RetryPolicy postfix.RetryPolicy
 	// InboundEnabled mirrors INBOUND_RELAY_ENABLE.
 	InboundEnabled bool
+	// SendLogRetentionEnvDefault is SEND_LOG_RETENTION_DAYS at panel start.
+	SendLogRetentionEnvDefault int
 }
 
 // Server is the panel HTTP application.
@@ -126,6 +128,7 @@ func New(st *store.Store, domains *domain.Service, apps *app.Service, inboundSvc
 		RateLimitWindowSeconds: cfg.RateLimitWindowSeconds,
 		RetryPolicy:                 cfg.RetryPolicy,
 		InboundEnabled:              cfg.InboundEnabled,
+		SendLogRetentionEnvDefault: cfg.SendLogRetentionEnvDefault,
 	}, v, dnscheck.New(cfg.DNSResolvers), &health.MachineSampler{}, a)
 	return &Server{cfg: cfg, auth: a, handlers: h}, nil
 }