The Release Work Directory

The XL_RELEASE_SERVER_HOME/work directory is used to store temporary data that cannot be stored in the memory.

Example: The items that are temporarily stored in the work directory are the files that are being uploaded when configuration items (CIs) are being created

Location of the Work Directory

The work directory is in the Release server installation directory (XL_RELEASE_SERVER_HOME). Release uses this directory instead of an operating system-specific temporary directory because:

• Read access to the work directory must be limited since it may contain sensitive information.
• Operating system-specific temporary directories are not large enough to contain all the files that Release needs (for more information about disk space, see Requirements for installing Release).

Work Directory Size

The work directory can grow for several reasons:

• Large artifacts are being created, imported, or exported. This may cause a temporary increase in the size of the work directory.
• (Prior to Release 8.5.0 or if default archiving settings are changed) There are many unarchived releases. However, by default, releases are archived automatically and promptly after they are completed or aborted, with an archiving job running every minute. Manual archiving is only necessary if the default archiving settings have been changed. For more information, see How Archiving Works.

important

By default, completed and aborted releases are archived automatically by a background job that runs every minute. If your system administrator has changed the default archiving settings, you may need to archive releases manually. To check for unarchived Releases (including those owned by other users):

1. Login to Release as an administrator
2. Go to the Releases section
3. Click the Archived filter to view unarchived releases

To prevent the work directory from growing unnecessarily:

• Ensure completed Releases are archived (this is automatic by default)
• Avoid leaving incomplete releases open
• Regularly monitor the work directory size

Clean Up the Work Directory

When the Release server is running, files in the work directory may be in use. If a release is not finished before you stop the Release server, Release will recover the release when the server restarts. The recovery process requires access to previously created files in the work directory.

To safely clean up the work directory:

1. Verify that all running releases are finished and archived:

   • Login to Release as an administrator
   • Go to the Releases section
   • Check that all releases are either archived or completed

2. Shut down the Release server

3. Delete the files in the work directory

caution

Clean up the work directory only when all the releases are properly archived and the server is stopped.

Change the Location of the Work Directory

To change the work directory location:

1. Open the xl-release.conf file
2. Locate the xl/repository block
3. Modify the workDir setting to your desired location
4. Save the file
5. Restart the Release server for changes to take effect