Where Is Prometheus Data Stored?
Prometheus stores TSDB blocks and WAL in its storage path. The scrape config is in prometheus.yml and storage location is set by startup flags.
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Upstream binaries default to data/ in the working dir and Docker images use /prometheus. Debian and Ubuntu packages default to /var/lib/prometheus/metrics2/ with config at /etc/prometheus/prometheus.yml. The config.file and storage.tsdb.path settings select the active locations.
Data contains block folders with chunks and index files plus WAL. Confirm the live value in config and process flags since admins change defaults per install method.
Where Prometheus stores this, by platform
/var/lib/prometheus/metrics2/
Debian package config is /etc/prometheus/prometheus.yml. Upstream default is data/ and Docker default is /prometheus. Retention is set by storage.tsdb flags. Do not delete WAL during active writes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I confirm the active data and config paths?
Inspect the service flags for config.file and storage.tsdb.path values. On Debian check the systemd unit and /etc/prometheus/prometheus.yml. Use promtool check config to validate the file.
What is inside the data directory?
Expect block folders with chunks, index, and meta.json plus WAL and tombstone files for deletions. Backfill output defaults to data/ and must be moved into place. Confirm free space since retention can fill disks.
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