---
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: 2004
product: Telegraf
version: v1
---

# Define agent reporting rules

#### Telegraf Controller is in Public Beta

Telegraf Controller is in public beta and will be part of the future Telegraf Enterprise offering. While in beta, Telegraf Controller is **not meant for production use**. The Telegraf Controller documentation is a work in progress, and we are actively working to improve it. If you have any questions or suggestions, please [submit an issue](https://github.com/influxdata/docs-v2/issues/new?labels=Telegraf%20Controller). We welcome any and all contributions.

Beta expectations

-   **No configuration or agent limits**  
    While in beta, Telegraf Controller doesn't place any limits on the number of configurations you can store or the number of Telegraf agents you can track. However, upon being generally available, the free distribution of Telegraf Controller will have limits introduced, with the option to increase limits through a Telegraf Enterprise license.
-   **Potential breaking changes**  
    While in beta, we will do our best to no longer make breaking changes to Telegraf Controller, however, they may be necessary. The majority of changes we make will be additive and non-breaking, and include any necessary migrations. When we do need to make breaking changes, we will do our best to communicate them clearly and in advance to minimize disruption.
-   **Flexible release schedule**  
    While in beta, we will continue to create new releases of Telegraf Controller, but likely at irregular intervals. We will provide [Telegraf Controller release notes](/telegraf/controller/reference/release-notes/) to make it easy to track updates.

Provide beta feedback

-   Use the **Feedback** feature in the Telegraf Controller UI.
-   [Join the InfluxDB Community Slack](https://influxdata.com/slack) and post feedback in the **#telegraf-enterprise-alpha** channel.
-   Post feedback in the [InfluxData Community](https://community.influxdata.com).

Join our public channels

-   [InfluxDB Community Slack *(Preferred)*](https://influxdata.com/slack)
-   [InfluxData Community](https://community.influxdata.com)
-   [InfluxDB Subreddit](https://reddit.com/r/influxdb)

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.