Journal Log Auto-Cleanup for Ubuntu 24.04 Server
Auto-cleanup systemd journal logs on Ubuntu 24.04 server.
This is not a test script.
This is designed for stable long-term use with predictable disk usage.
Why this installer exists
System logs grow silently until they cause trouble. This prevents that automatically.
What this installer does
✔ Weekly rotation + vacuum cleanup
✔ Keeps only last 3 days of logs
✔ Lightweight, hands-off operation
✔ Fully automated via cron
What this installer does NOT do
It won’t stop you from running the script without reading the documentation like there’s no tomorrow.
Skip the README, and whatever happens next is your headache, not a bug report.
1. Download
git clone https://git.x-files.dk/server/journal-log-ubuntu.git
cd journal-log-ubuntu
2. Install
sudo ./journal-log-ubuntu
This creates a cron-executed cleanup script at:
/usr/local/sbin/clear-journal-log
and registers a weekly schedule under:
/etc/cron.d/clear-journal-log
3. Schedule Details
Cleanup runs automatically:
| Action | When |
|---|---|
| Journal rotation + vacuum | Every Sunday @ 02:00 |
| Log retention window | 3 days |
| Output log | /var/log/clear-journal.log |
You don't need to add cron jobs — installer handles everything.
4. Verify Log Rotation
Check last run:
cat /var/log/clear-journal.log
You should see:
✔ size before cleanup
✔ size after cleanup
✔ timestamped header + footer
Post-Install
Nothing else required — scheduling is automatic.
More Information
More guides and documentation can be found on wiki.x-files.dk
License
Licensed under the MIT License.