## Context These workflows dictate how users manage soft deletion of artifacts per [Data Retention ADR](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-com/content-sites/handbook/-/blob/14888e39ae203dd5104249ffbe1b079b0a8e11db/content/handbook/engineering/architecture/design-documents/artifact_registry/decisions/010_data_retention.md). All deletions (manual, lifecycle policy, retention expiration) mark artifacts for deletion rather than removing them immediately. Users can restore soft-deleted artifacts until the hard deletion window expires. > #### Soft Delete > > Soft delete is always enabled and not user-configurable. All deletions (manual, lifecycle policy, retention expiration) mark artifacts for deletion rather than removing them immediately. Users can restore soft-deleted artifacts until the hard deletion window expires. This is a [lesson learned](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/work_items/561680) from GitLab's project delayed deletion, where making soft delete optional led to accidental permanent data loss. > > Whether soft-deleted artifacts are visible in the UI is a display concern, not a retention concern. > > \[...\] > > Background jobs permanently remove soft-deleted artifacts after 30 days. This window balances recovery time with storage cost. ## Soft-delete object types across formats | Object type | Format | |-------------|--------| | Repository | Docker, npm, Maven, OCI | | Package | npm, Maven, OCI | | Image | Docker, OCI | | Version | npm, Maven | | Manifest | OCI, Docker | ## Design proposal ### Entry points + Modal + Confirmation :art: [Figma](https://www.figma.com/design/b5gaaEDjfxZbphoRQ3jVGv/AR-concepting?node-id=4154-114307&t=tAixVdTvE7hJZ38G-0) <table> <tr> <th>Workflow</th> <th>Screen</th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Entry points</td> <td> {width="329" height="240"} </td> <td> {width="900" height="222"} </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Modal</td> <td colspan="2"> {width="900" height="155"} </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Confirmation</td> <td> {width="837" height="143"} </td> <td> {width="709" height="100"} </td> </tr> </table> ### Trash bin [:link: Prototype](https://gitlab-org.gitlab.io/ci-cd/package-stage/artifact-registry-design-proposal/repositories/trash.html) | :art: [Figma](https://www.figma.com/design/b5gaaEDjfxZbphoRQ3jVGv/AR-concepting?node-id=2170-139311&t=ChlN2SM4wpjZhxWK-0) <table> <tr> <th>Workflow</th> <th>Screen</th> </tr> <tr> <td> Repository listing \> View Trash </td> <td> Users access the Trash via the overflow menu on the Repository listing page. This is because the Trash is a less frequently used, and an area with destructive actions. {width="742" height="600"} </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> **Option A - Repositories + Artifacts split (:star: recommended)** </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Trash landing</td> <td> Repositories tab {width="900" height="587"} Artifacts tab {width="840" height="600"} </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bulk delete</td> <td> {width="900" height="584"} </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> **Option B - Repositories + Artifacts by formats split** </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Trash landing - Artifacts tab</td> <td> {width="900" height="586"} </td> </tr> </table> ### ### Trash retention period [:link: Prototype](https://gitlab-org.gitlab.io/ci-cd/package-stage/artifact-registry-design-proposal/settings.html) | :art: [Figma](https://www.figma.com/design/b5gaaEDjfxZbphoRQ3jVGv/AR-concepting?node-id=4171-116250&t=ChlN2SM4wpjZhxWK-0) <table> <tr> <th>Workflow</th> <th>Screen</th> </tr> <tr> <td> Option 1 - Retention settings (:star: recommended) </td> <td> {width=742 height=600} </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Option 2 - Lifecycle Policies</td> <td> {width="900" height="426"} </td> </tr> </table> ### ### Trash navigation It would be useful for users to navigate repositories, packages, and images in the Trash so they can get additional context on what's being deleted. Navigation in the Trash closely mirrors the Repository/Package details pages, but without any action buttons on the page, and shows a `Trash` badge on the page. :art: [Figma](https://www.figma.com/design/b5gaaEDjfxZbphoRQ3jVGv/AR-concepting?node-id=4954-143832&t=ChlN2SM4wpjZhxWK-0) <table> <tr> <th>Workflow</th> <th>Screen</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Browse Repository/Artifact in Trash</td> <td> {width="900" height="585"} {width="900" height="585"} </td> </tr> </table>