Object Lifecycle Management

Object lifecycle management allows you to define rules that automatically transition objects between storage classes or delete them based on conditions like age, storage class, or version status. This is essential for cost optimisation and data governance — ensuring that data moves to cheaper storage as it ages and is deleted when no longer needed.

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How Lifecycle Rules Work

Lifecycle rules are configured at the bucket level. Each rule consists of:

1. Conditions — when the rule should apply (e.g., age > 90 days)
2. Action — what to do (SetStorageClass or Delete)

Cloud Storage evaluates lifecycle rules once per day (asynchronously). Changes are not instantaneous — there may be a delay of up to 24 hours.

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Actions

SetStorageClass

Transitions an object to a different (colder) storage class:

{
  "lifecycle": {
    "rule": [
      {
        "action": { "type": "SetStorageClass", "storageClass": "NEARLINE" },
        "condition": { "age": 30 }
      },
      {
        "action": { "type": "SetStorageClass", "storageClass": "COLDLINE" },
        "condition": { "age": 90 }
      },
      {
        "action": { "type": "SetStorageClass", "storageClass": "ARCHIVE" },
        "condition": { "age": 365 }
      }
    ]
  }
}