python 42 lines · 10 steps

How soft deletes work in Django

A reusable abstract model that marks rows deleted with a timestamp instead of removing them.

Explained by highlit

Django Intermediate soft-delete querysets managers abstract-models data-retention

1from django.db import models
2from django.utils import timezone
3 
4 
5class SoftDeleteQuerySet(models.QuerySet):
6    def delete(self):
7        return super().update(deleted_at=timezone.now())
8 
9    def hard_delete(self):
10        return super().delete()
11 
12    def alive(self):
13        return self.filter(deleted_at__isnull=True)
14 
15    def dead(self):
16        return self.filter(deleted_at__isnull=False)
17 
18 
19class SoftDeleteManager(models.Manager):
20    def get_queryset(self):
21        return SoftDeleteQuerySet(self.model, using=self._db).alive()
22 
23 
24class SoftDeleteModel(models.Model):
25    deleted_at = models.DateTimeField(null=True, blank=True, editable=False)
26 
27    objects = SoftDeleteManager()
28    all_objects = SoftDeleteQuerySet.as_manager()
29 
30    class Meta:
31        abstract = True
32 
33    def delete(self, using=None, keep_parents=False):
34        self.deleted_at = timezone.now()
35        self.save(using=using, update_fields=["deleted_at"])
36 
37    def hard_delete(self, using=None, keep_parents=False):
38        super().delete(using=using, keep_parents=keep_parents)
39 
40    def restore(self):
41        self.deleted_at = None
42        self.save(update_fields=["deleted_at"])

01 / 01

STEP 01

Walkthrough

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Three takeaways

1Overriding delete to set a timestamp keeps rows recoverable while hiding them from normal queries.
2A custom manager that filters in get_queryset makes soft-deleted rows invisible by default everywhere.
3Pairing a default manager with an unfiltered one lets you reach hidden rows when you genuinely need them.

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