Terra workspace buckets use Google Cloud Storage (GCS) soft delete, a protective feature that helps prevent accidental data loss. Soft delete is enabled by default for all newly created Terra workspace buckets. This article explains how soft delete works, important considerations before relying on it, and how you can modify or disable the soft delete configuration in your workspace.
What is soft delete?
Soft delete is a Google Cloud Storage feature that preserves a soft-deleted version of an object for a defined retention period. Instead of being permanently removed when deleted, objects enter a recoverable state until the retention window expires.
During the retention period, you can restore objects that were deleted accidentally or prematurely. After the retention period ends, GCS automatically and permanently deletes the object.
For more details, see Google’s documentation: https://docs.cloud.google.com/storage/docs/soft-delete .
Soft delete is enabled by default
Google buckets for newly created workspaces automatically have soft delete enabled. No user action is required to turn it on.
Key points:
- The feature applies to all objects stored in the workspace bucket.
- If you delete an object, it becomes soft deleted rather than permanently removed.
- The default retention period is 7 days.
- Soft delete settings—including the retention period—are controlled at the workspace level.
How soft delete works
When you delete an object in a Terra workspace bucket:
- The object becomes soft deleted, meaning it is hidden from normal listing and access but still stored securely in the bucket.
- The object remains recoverable for the configured retention period.
- After that period, GCS automatically removes it permanently.
Important behavioral notes
Soft-deleted objects cannot be manually purged.
You cannot force immediate permanent deletion before the retention period expires.
Soft-deleted objects continue to incur storage costs.
Because the object still exists until the retention window ends, you will be billed for storing it. Depending on your usage patterns, this may introduce unexpected costs.
This distinction is important if you frequently generate large intermediate files or plan to delete many large objects as part of your workflows.
How to restore soft-deleted objects
As long as an object is still within the soft delete retention window, you can restore it from Google Cloud Storage. Restoring is done in the Google Cloud console, not directly from Terra. You must be a Writer or Owner of the workspace to view and restore soft-deleted objects.
To restore a single soft-deleted object
- On the workspace dashboard, click the Open bucket in browser link under the CLOUD INFORMATION STORAGE DETAILS section.
- In the Show dropdown above the object list, select Soft-deleted objects only to display only soft-deleted objects.
- Navigate to the object you want to restore (including any folder path) and click the object name to open the object details page.
- Click the Version history tab. In the Show dropdown, select Soft-deleted objects only to view all soft-deleted versions of that object.
- Find the specific soft-deleted version you want to restore and click Restore next to that version. In the confirmation pane, click Confirm.
When you restore a soft-deleted object, Google Cloud Storage creates a new live copy of that object in the same bucket using the metadata that existed at the time it was soft-deleted. The soft-deleted version is still retained until its retention period expires, and it continues to incur storage charges during that time.
For more details, including options to restore objects in bulk or via the command line or API, see Google’s documentation on using soft-deleted objects: https://docs.cloud.google.com/storage/docs/use-soft-deleted-objects .
Is soft delete right for you?
Soft delete provides valuable protection by allowing you to recover objects mistakenly removed through manual deletion, automated workflows, or scripts. Consider enabling soft delete if:
- You handle irreplaceable or costly-to-reproduce data.
- You want a fail-safe against accidental deletion by collaborators or pipelines.
- Your team requires a buffer period to undo unintended changes.
However, soft delete may not be ideal for all use cases. You may want to modify or disable soft delete if:
- You generate large amounts of temporary or intermediate data and rely on deletion to manage storage costs.
- You expect a high volume of deletes and do not want to pay for the retained objects.
- You already have alternative data recovery strategies (versioning, backups, etc.).
When evaluating whether to keep soft delete enabled, balance the risk of accidental deletion against the cost of retaining soft-deleted objects during the retention window.
How to modify or disable soft delete in Terra
You can manage soft delete settings—including the retention period or disabling the feature—directly from the Terra workspace.
To change soft delete settings
- Open the workspace in Terra.
- Click the Settings tab.
- Go to the Soft Delete section.
- Adjust the retention period or disable soft delete entirely.
- Save your changes.
Changes take effect immediately for future deletions. Existing soft-deleted objects will continue to follow the retention period that was active when they were deleted.
Summary
Soft delete adds an important layer of protection to your data by retaining deleted objects for a configurable window of time. While this helps prevent accidental data loss, it also introduces potential cost considerations because soft-deleted objects remain billable until permanently removed. Terra enables soft delete by default, but you can adjust or turn it off in workspace settings to better match your storage and cost-management needs.
If you have questions about soft delete behavior, storage billing, or workspace configuration, please contact Terra Support.