> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.userplane.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Project Lifecycle

> Delete and restore projects, and understand what happens to associated data

Projects can be deleted when they are no longer needed. Userplane uses a soft-delete system with a restoration window so you can recover from accidental deletions.

## Deleting a project

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Projects settings">
    Go to [Workspace Settings > Projects](https://dash.userplane.io/_/settings?tab=general).

    <Frame caption="Projects list">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/userplane/IKCB4f_KBaL0xsjW/media/projects/projects-list.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IKCB4f_KBaL0xsjW&q=85&s=400466947ba378d948878187af4d9bd4" width="1342" height="906" data-path="media/projects/projects-list.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the project menu">
    Click the menu icon on the project you want to delete.

    <Frame caption="Project actions menu">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/userplane/iHJrxtyvOmNXmfMS/media/projects/project-menu.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=iHJrxtyvOmNXmfMS&q=85&s=159152e399f7c70ae20c0190d83e9653" width="1342" height="906" data-path="media/projects/project-menu.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Delete the project">
    Select **Delete** and confirm.

    <Frame caption="Project settings">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/userplane/iHJrxtyvOmNXmfMS/media/projects/manage/edit-project.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=iHJrxtyvOmNXmfMS&q=85&s=46b0c862495d6c7044626ff564be9643" width="1920" height="958" data-path="media/projects/manage/edit-project.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

When a project is deleted:

* The project and all associated **recordings** and **links** are soft-deleted.
* Deleted data is not visible in the workspace but is retained temporarily for restoration.

<Warning>The **default project** cannot be deleted.</Warning>

## Restoration windows

After deleting a project, you have a limited time to restore it:

| Time since deletion | Restoration type                                                                                         |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **0–3 days**        | **Full restoration** — the project, all recordings, and all links are fully restored.                    |
| **3–30 days**       | **Partial restoration** — the project is restored but some associated data may no longer be recoverable. |
| **30+ days**        | **No restoration** — the project and its data are permanently removed.                                   |

## Restoring a project

When a project is deleted, the workspace owner receives a confirmation email with a restoration link. This is the only way to restore a deleted project.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check your inbox">
    After deleting a project, the workspace owner receives an email confirming the deletion. This
    email contains a time-limited **Restore** link.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the restore link">
    Click the **Restore** link in the email. The project and its associated data are recovered based
    on the [restoration window](#restoration-windows) above.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  The restoration link is time-bound. Once the restoration window expires, the link stops working
  and the project cannot be recovered. Act promptly if you need to undo a deletion.
</Warning>

## Retention settings

Projects support automatic retention policies that expire recordings after a specified period. Configure retention when [editing a project](/workspace/projects#editing-a-project).

<Frame caption="Configure project retention">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/userplane/IKCB4f_KBaL0xsjW/media/workspace/projects/configure-retention.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IKCB4f_KBaL0xsjW&q=85&s=df0cf579b3363173569b175014928659" width="1920" height="957" data-path="media/workspace/projects/configure-retention.png" />
</Frame>

## Related articles

* [Projects](/workspace/projects) — creating and using projects.
* [Workspace Lifecycle](/workspace/workspace-lifecycle) — deletion and restoration for the workspace itself.