---
title: Define agent reporting rules
description: Define reporting rules that determine when Telegraf Controller marks agents as not reporting and optionally automatically delete not reporting agents.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/telegraf/controller/agents/reporting-rules/
estimated_tokens: 804
publisher: InfluxData
canonical: https://docs.influxdata.com/telegraf/controller/agents/reporting-rules/
date: '2025-12-31T14:49:32-07:00'
lastmod: '2025-12-31T14:49:32-07:00'
---

Reporting rules define how long an agent can go without sending a heartbeat
before Telegraf Controller changes its status to **Not Reporting**. They can
also automatically delete agents that haven’t reported in a specified amount of
time.

Telegraf Controller requires a default reporting rule. Newly created agents
are automatically assigned to the current default reporting rule.

Manage reporting rules in the **Reporting Rules** section of
Controller, then assign them to agents from either the agent
list or an agent details page.

* [Create a reporting rule](#create-a-reporting-rule)
* [Update a reporting rule](#update-a-reporting-rule)
* [Delete a reporting rule](#delete-a-reporting-rule)
* [Set a default reporting rule](#set-a-default-reporting-rule)
  * [From the reporting rules list](#from-the-reporting-rules-list)
  * [From reporting rule details](#from-reporting-rule-details)

* [Assign a reporting rule to agents](#assign-a-reporting-rule-to-agents)
  * [From the agent list](#from-the-agent-list)
  * [From an agent details page](#from-an-agent-details-page)

## Create a reporting rule

1. In Telegraf Controller, go to **Reporting Rules**.
2. Select **+ Add Rule**.
3. Enter the following:
   * **Description**: Reporting rule description
   * **Not Reporting Threshold**: The maximum time an agent can go without
     reporting before Controller assigns the “Not Reporting”
     status.
   * **Auto-delete agents**: Enable to automatically delete agents that haven’t
     reported in the defined auto-delete threshold.
   * **Default Rule**: Enable to make the rule the default reporting rule.

4. Save the rule.

## Update a reporting rule

1. In **Reporting Rules**, click the **More button (⋮)**of the rule you want to update.
2. Select **Edit**.
3. Edit the description, not reporting threshold, auto-delete settings, or make
   the rule the default reporting rule.
4. Save your changes.

## Delete a reporting rule

1. In **Reporting Rules**, click the **More button (⋮)**of the rule you want to delete.
2. Select **Delete** and confirm.

#### You cannot delete the default reporting rule

To delete a reporting rule that is currently the default rule, first assign
a new rule as the default reporting rule.

#### Agents assigned to a deleted reporting rule

When you delete a reporting rule, any agents assigned to the deleted rule
automatically inherit the default reporting rule.

## Set a default reporting rule

### From the reporting rules list

1. In **Reporting Rules**, click the **More button (⋮)**of the rule you want to make the default.
2. Select **Make Default**.

### From reporting rule details

1. In **Reporting Rules**, click the **More button (⋮)**of the rule you want to make the default.
2. Select **Edit**.
3. Toggle **Default Rule** to true.
4. Save your changes.

## Assign a reporting rule to agents

### From the agent list

1. In **Agents**, select one or more agents.
2. Select **Assign Rule**.
3. Choose a rule and assign it.

### From an agent details page

1. In **Agents**, click the **More button (⋮)** for an
   agent and select **View Details**.
2. In the **Reporting Rule** section, select **Change**.
3. Choose a rule and apply it.