Fix buffered processing log typing sequence

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# Changelog
+All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
+
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/).
+
+## [Unreleased]
+
+### Added
+- Initialized `CHANGELOG.md` with Keep a Changelog structure for ongoing release-note tracking.
+
+### Changed
+- Refreshed `README.md` with current stack details, runtime services, setup commands, configuration notes, and manual validation guidance.
+
+### Deprecated
+
+### Removed
+
+### Fixed
+
+### Security

README.md

@@ -1,121 +1,154 @@
 # DMS
 
-DMS is a single-user document management system for ingesting, processing, organizing, and searching files.
+DMS is a self-hosted document management system for ingesting, processing, organizing, and searching files.
 
-Core capabilities:
-- drag-and-drop upload from anywhere in the UI
-- file and folder upload with path preservation
-- asynchronous processing with OCR and extraction for PDF, images, DOCX, XLSX, TXT, and ZIP
-- metadata and full-text search
-- routing suggestions based on learned decisions
-- original file download and extracted markdown export
+## Core Capabilities
 
-## Stack
+- Drag and drop upload from anywhere in the UI
+- File and folder upload with path preservation
+- Asynchronous extraction and OCR for PDF, images, DOCX, XLSX, TXT, and ZIP
+- Metadata and full-text search
+- Routing suggestions based on previous decisions
+- Original file download and extracted markdown export
 
-- Backend: FastAPI + SQLAlchemy + RQ worker (`backend/`)
-- Frontend: React + Vite + TypeScript (`frontend/`)
-- Infrastructure: Postgres, Redis, Typesense (`docker-compose.yml`)
+## Technology Stack
+
+- Backend: FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, RQ worker (`backend/`)
+- Frontend: React, Vite, TypeScript (`frontend/`)
+- Infrastructure: PostgreSQL, Redis, Typesense (`docker-compose.yml`)
+
+## Runtime Services
+
+The default `docker compose` stack includes:
+
+- `frontend` - React UI (`http://localhost:5173`)
+- `api` - FastAPI backend (`http://localhost:8000`, docs at `/docs`)
+- `worker` - background processing jobs
+- `db` - PostgreSQL (`localhost:5432`)
+- `redis` - queue backend (`localhost:6379`)
+- `typesense` - search index (`localhost:8108`)
 
 ## Requirements
 
 - Docker Engine
 - Docker Compose plugin
-- Internet access for the first image build
+- Internet access for first-time image build
 
 ## Quick Start
 
-1. Start the full stack from repository root:
+From repository root:
 
 ```bash
 docker compose up --build -d
 ```
 
-2. Open services:
+Open:
+
 - Frontend: `http://localhost:5173`
-- Backend OpenAPI docs: `http://localhost:8000/docs`
-- Health endpoint: `http://localhost:8000/api/v1/health`
+- API docs: `http://localhost:8000/docs`
+- Health: `http://localhost:8000/api/v1/health`
 
-3. Stop when done:
+Stop the stack:
 
 ```bash
 docker compose down
 ```
 
-## Common Commands
+## Common Operations
 
-Start services:
+Start or rebuild:
 
 ```bash
 docker compose up --build -d
 ```
 
-Stop services:
+Stop:
 
 ```bash
 docker compose down
 ```
 
-Stream logs:
+Tail logs:
 
 ```bash
 docker compose logs -f
 ```
 
-Rebuild services:
+Tail API and worker logs only:
 
 ```bash
-docker compose down
-docker compose up --build -d
+docker compose logs -f api worker
 ```
 
-Reset runtime data (destructive, removes named volumes):
+Reset all runtime data (destructive):
 
 ```bash
 docker compose down -v
 ```
 
+## Frontend-Only Local Workflow
+
+If backend services are already running, you can run frontend tooling locally:
+
+```bash
+cd frontend && npm run dev
+cd frontend && npm run build
+cd frontend && npm run preview
+```
+
+`npm run preview` serves the built app on port `4173`.
+
+## Configuration
+
+Main runtime variables are defined in `docker-compose.yml`:
+
+- API and worker: `DATABASE_URL`, `REDIS_URL`, `STORAGE_ROOT`, `PUBLIC_BASE_URL`, `CORS_ORIGINS`, `TYPESENSE_*`
+- Frontend: `VITE_API_BASE`
+
+Application settings saved from the UI persist at:
+
+- `<STORAGE_ROOT>/settings.json` (inside the storage volume)
+
+Settings endpoints:
+
+- `GET/PUT /api/v1/settings`
+- `POST /api/v1/settings/reset`
+- `POST /api/v1/settings/handwriting`
+- `POST /api/v1/processing/logs/trim`
+
+Note: the compose file currently includes host-specific URL values (for example `PUBLIC_BASE_URL` and `VITE_API_BASE`). Adjust these for your environment when needed.
+
 ## Data Persistence
 
-Runtime state is persisted in Docker named volumes declared in `docker-compose.yml`:
+Docker named volumes used by the stack:
+
 - `db-data`
 - `redis-data`
 - `dcm-storage`
 - `typesense-data`
 
-The application settings file is stored under the storage volume at `/data/storage/settings.json` inside containers.
+## Validation Checklist
 
-## Configuration Notes
+After setup or config changes, verify:
 
-- API and worker runtime environment values are configured in `docker-compose.yml` (`DATABASE_URL`, `REDIS_URL`, `STORAGE_ROOT`, `PUBLIC_BASE_URL`, `CORS_ORIGINS`, `TYPESENSE_*`).
-- Frontend API target is controlled by `VITE_API_BASE` in the `frontend` service.
-- Handwriting, provider, routing, summary, display, and upload defaults are managed through the settings UI and persisted by the backend settings service.
-
-## Manual Validation Checklist
-
-After changes, verify:
 - `GET /api/v1/health` returns `{"status":"ok"}`
-- upload and processing complete successfully
-- search returns expected results
-- preview or download works for uploaded documents
-- `docker compose logs -f` shows no API or worker failures
+- Upload and processing complete successfully
+- Search returns expected results
+- Preview and download work for uploaded documents
+- `docker compose logs -f api worker` has no failures
 
-## API Surface Summary
+## Repository Layout
 
-Base prefix: `/api/v1`
+- `backend/` - FastAPI API, services, models, worker
+- `frontend/` - React application
+- `doc/` - technical documentation for architecture, API, data model, and operations
+- `docker-compose.yml` - local runtime topology
 
-- Health: `/health`
-- Documents: `/documents` (listing, upload, metadata update, lifecycle actions, download and preview, markdown export)
-- Search: `/search`
-- Processing logs: `/processing/logs`
-- Settings: `/settings` and `/settings/handwriting`
+## Documentation Index
 
-See `doc/api-contract.md` for the complete endpoint contract.
-
-## Technical Documentation
-
-- `doc/README.md` - technical documentation index
+- `doc/README.md` - technical documentation entrypoint
 - `doc/architecture-overview.md` - service and runtime architecture
-- `doc/api-contract.md` - HTTP endpoint contract and payload model map
-- `doc/data-model-reference.md` - database model reference
-- `doc/operations-and-configuration.md` - operations runbook and configuration reference
-- `doc/frontend-design-foundation.md` - frontend design system and UI rules
+- `doc/api-contract.md` - endpoint and payload contract
+- `doc/data-model-reference.md` - persistence model reference
+- `doc/operations-and-configuration.md` - runtime operations and configuration
+- `doc/frontend-design-foundation.md` - frontend design rules

backend/app/api/routes_processing_logs.py

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from app.db.base import get_session
 from app.schemas.processing_logs import ProcessingLogEntryResponse, ProcessingLogListResponse
+from app.services.app_settings import read_processing_log_retention_settings
 from app.services.processing_logs import (
     cleanup_processing_logs,
     clear_processing_logs,
@@ -42,16 +43,28 @@ def get_processing_logs(
 
 @router.post("/trim")
 def trim_processing_logs(
-    keep_document_sessions: int = Query(default=2, ge=0, le=20),
-    keep_unbound_entries: int = Query(default=80, ge=0, le=400),
+    keep_document_sessions: int | None = Query(default=None, ge=0, le=20),
+    keep_unbound_entries: int | None = Query(default=None, ge=0, le=400),
     session: Session = Depends(get_session),
 ) -> dict[str, int]:
-    """Deletes old processing logs while keeping recent document sessions and unbound events."""
+    """Deletes old processing logs using query values or persisted retention defaults."""
+
+    retention_defaults = read_processing_log_retention_settings()
+    resolved_keep_document_sessions = (
+        keep_document_sessions
+        if keep_document_sessions is not None
+        else int(retention_defaults.get("keep_document_sessions", 2))
+    )
+    resolved_keep_unbound_entries = (
+        keep_unbound_entries
+        if keep_unbound_entries is not None
+        else int(retention_defaults.get("keep_unbound_entries", 80))
+    )
 
     result = cleanup_processing_logs(
         session=session,
-        keep_document_sessions=keep_document_sessions,
-        keep_unbound_entries=keep_unbound_entries,
+        keep_document_sessions=resolved_keep_document_sessions,
+        keep_unbound_entries=resolved_keep_unbound_entries,
     )
     session.commit()
     return result

backend/app/api/routes_settings.py

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from app.schemas.settings import (
     HandwritingStyleSettingsResponse,
     HandwritingSettingsUpdateRequest,
     OcrTaskSettingsResponse,
+    ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsResponse,
     ProviderSettingsResponse,
     RoutingTaskSettingsResponse,
     SummaryTaskSettingsResponse,
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ def _build_response(payload: dict) -> AppSettingsResponse:
 
     upload_defaults_payload = payload.get("upload_defaults", {})
     display_payload = payload.get("display", {})
+    processing_log_retention_payload = payload.get("processing_log_retention", {})
     providers_payload = payload.get("providers", [])
     tasks_payload = payload.get("tasks", {})
     handwriting_style_payload = payload.get("handwriting_style_clustering", {})
@@ -55,6 +57,10 @@ def _build_response(payload: dict) -> AppSettingsResponse:
             cards_per_page=int(display_payload.get("cards_per_page", 12)),
             log_typing_animation_enabled=bool(display_payload.get("log_typing_animation_enabled", True)),
         ),
+        processing_log_retention=ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsResponse(
+            keep_document_sessions=int(processing_log_retention_payload.get("keep_document_sessions", 2)),
+            keep_unbound_entries=int(processing_log_retention_payload.get("keep_unbound_entries", 80)),
+        ),
         handwriting_style_clustering=HandwritingStyleSettingsResponse(
             enabled=bool(handwriting_style_payload.get("enabled", True)),
             embed_model=str(handwriting_style_payload.get("embed_model", "ts/clip-vit-b-p32")),
@@ -159,6 +165,10 @@ def set_app_settings(payload: AppSettingsUpdateRequest) -> AppSettingsResponse:
     if payload.display is not None:
         display_payload = payload.display.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
 
+    processing_log_retention_payload = None
+    if payload.processing_log_retention is not None:
+        processing_log_retention_payload = payload.processing_log_retention.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
+
     handwriting_style_payload = None
     if payload.handwriting_style_clustering is not None:
         handwriting_style_payload = payload.handwriting_style_clustering.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
@@ -174,6 +184,7 @@ def set_app_settings(payload: AppSettingsUpdateRequest) -> AppSettingsResponse:
         tasks=tasks_payload,
         upload_defaults=upload_defaults_payload,
         display=display_payload,
+        processing_log_retention=processing_log_retention_payload,
         handwriting_style=handwriting_style_payload,
         predefined_paths=predefined_paths_payload,
         predefined_tags=predefined_tags_payload,

backend/app/schemas/settings.py

@@ -127,6 +127,20 @@ class DisplaySettingsUpdateRequest(BaseModel):
     log_typing_animation_enabled: bool | None = None
 
 
+class ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsResponse(BaseModel):
+    """Represents retention limits used when pruning processing pipeline logs."""
+
+    keep_document_sessions: int = Field(default=2, ge=0, le=20)
+    keep_unbound_entries: int = Field(default=80, ge=0, le=400)
+
+
+class ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsUpdateRequest(BaseModel):
+    """Represents partial updates for processing log retention limits."""
+
+    keep_document_sessions: int | None = Field(default=None, ge=0, le=20)
+    keep_unbound_entries: int | None = Field(default=None, ge=0, le=400)
+
+
 class PredefinedPathEntryResponse(BaseModel):
     """Represents one predefined logical path with global discoverability scope."""
 
@@ -200,6 +214,7 @@ class AppSettingsResponse(BaseModel):
 
     upload_defaults: UploadDefaultsResponse
     display: DisplaySettingsResponse
+    processing_log_retention: ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsResponse
     handwriting_style_clustering: HandwritingStyleSettingsResponse
     predefined_paths: list[PredefinedPathEntryResponse] = Field(default_factory=list)
     predefined_tags: list[PredefinedTagEntryResponse] = Field(default_factory=list)
@@ -212,6 +227,7 @@ class AppSettingsUpdateRequest(BaseModel):
 
     upload_defaults: UploadDefaultsUpdateRequest | None = None
     display: DisplaySettingsUpdateRequest | None = None
+    processing_log_retention: ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsUpdateRequest | None = None
     handwriting_style_clustering: HandwritingStyleSettingsUpdateRequest | None = None
     predefined_paths: list[PredefinedPathEntryUpdateRequest] | None = None
     predefined_tags: list[PredefinedTagEntryUpdateRequest] | None = None

backend/app/services/app_settings.py

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ TASK_OCR_HANDWRITING = "ocr_handwriting"
 TASK_SUMMARY_GENERATION = "summary_generation"
 TASK_ROUTING_CLASSIFICATION = "routing_classification"
 HANDWRITING_STYLE_SETTINGS_KEY = "handwriting_style_clustering"
+PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY = "processing_log_retention"
 PREDEFINED_PATHS_SETTINGS_KEY = "predefined_paths"
 PREDEFINED_TAGS_SETTINGS_KEY = "predefined_tags"
 DEFAULT_HANDWRITING_STYLE_EMBED_MODEL = "ts/clip-vit-b-p32"
@@ -65,6 +66,10 @@ def _default_settings() -> dict[str, Any]:
             "cards_per_page": 12,
             "log_typing_animation_enabled": True,
         },
+        PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY: {
+            "keep_document_sessions": 2,
+            "keep_unbound_entries": 80,
+        },
         PREDEFINED_PATHS_SETTINGS_KEY: [],
         PREDEFINED_TAGS_SETTINGS_KEY: [],
         HANDWRITING_STYLE_SETTINGS_KEY: {
@@ -148,6 +153,18 @@ def _clamp_cards_per_page(value: int) -> int:
     return max(1, min(200, value))
 
 
+def _clamp_processing_log_document_sessions(value: int) -> int:
+    """Clamps the number of recent document log sessions kept during cleanup."""
+
+    return max(0, min(20, value))
+
+
+def _clamp_processing_log_unbound_entries(value: int) -> int:
+    """Clamps retained unbound processing log events kept during cleanup."""
+
+    return max(0, min(400, value))
+
+
 def _clamp_predefined_entries_limit(value: int) -> int:
     """Clamps maximum count for predefined tag/path catalog entries."""
 
@@ -401,6 +418,28 @@ def _normalize_display_settings(payload: dict[str, Any], defaults: dict[str, Any
     }
 
 
+def _normalize_processing_log_retention(payload: dict[str, Any], defaults: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, int]:
+    """Normalizes processing log retention settings used by API and worker cleanup defaults."""
+
+    if not isinstance(payload, dict):
+        payload = {}
+
+    default_keep_document_sessions = _clamp_processing_log_document_sessions(
+        _safe_int(defaults.get("keep_document_sessions", 2), 2)
+    )
+    default_keep_unbound_entries = _clamp_processing_log_unbound_entries(
+        _safe_int(defaults.get("keep_unbound_entries", 80), 80)
+    )
+    return {
+        "keep_document_sessions": _clamp_processing_log_document_sessions(
+            _safe_int(payload.get("keep_document_sessions", default_keep_document_sessions), default_keep_document_sessions)
+        ),
+        "keep_unbound_entries": _clamp_processing_log_unbound_entries(
+            _safe_int(payload.get("keep_unbound_entries", default_keep_unbound_entries), default_keep_unbound_entries)
+        ),
+    }
+
+
 def _normalize_predefined_paths(
     payload: Any,
     existing_items: list[dict[str, Any]] | None = None,
@@ -567,6 +606,10 @@ def _sanitize_settings(payload: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
     normalized_tasks = _normalize_tasks(tasks_payload, provider_ids)
     upload_defaults = _normalize_upload_defaults(payload.get("upload_defaults", {}), defaults["upload_defaults"])
     display_settings = _normalize_display_settings(payload.get("display", {}), defaults["display"])
+    processing_log_retention = _normalize_processing_log_retention(
+        payload.get(PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY, {}),
+        defaults[PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY],
+    )
     predefined_paths = _normalize_predefined_paths(
         payload.get(PREDEFINED_PATHS_SETTINGS_KEY, []),
         existing_items=payload.get(PREDEFINED_PATHS_SETTINGS_KEY, []),
@@ -583,6 +626,7 @@ def _sanitize_settings(payload: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
     return {
         "upload_defaults": upload_defaults,
         "display": display_settings,
+        PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY: processing_log_retention,
         PREDEFINED_PATHS_SETTINGS_KEY: predefined_paths,
         PREDEFINED_TAGS_SETTINGS_KEY: predefined_tags,
         HANDWRITING_STYLE_SETTINGS_KEY: handwriting_style_settings,
@@ -645,6 +689,10 @@ def read_app_settings() -> dict[str, Any]:
     return {
         "upload_defaults": payload.get("upload_defaults", {"logical_path": "Inbox", "tags": []}),
         "display": payload.get("display", {"cards_per_page": 12, "log_typing_animation_enabled": True}),
+        PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY: payload.get(
+            PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY,
+            _default_settings()[PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY],
+        ),
         PREDEFINED_PATHS_SETTINGS_KEY: payload.get(PREDEFINED_PATHS_SETTINGS_KEY, []),
         PREDEFINED_TAGS_SETTINGS_KEY: payload.get(PREDEFINED_TAGS_SETTINGS_KEY, []),
         HANDWRITING_STYLE_SETTINGS_KEY: payload.get(HANDWRITING_STYLE_SETTINGS_KEY, {}),
@@ -687,16 +735,23 @@ def update_app_settings(
     tasks: dict[str, dict[str, Any]] | None = None,
     upload_defaults: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     display: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
+    processing_log_retention: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     handwriting_style: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     predefined_paths: list[dict[str, Any]] | None = None,
     predefined_tags: list[dict[str, Any]] | None = None,
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
-    """Updates app settings, persists them, and returns API-safe values."""
+    """Updates app settings blocks, persists them, and returns API-safe values."""
 
     current_payload = _read_raw_settings()
     next_payload: dict[str, Any] = {
         "upload_defaults": dict(current_payload.get("upload_defaults", {"logical_path": "Inbox", "tags": []})),
         "display": dict(current_payload.get("display", {"cards_per_page": 12, "log_typing_animation_enabled": True})),
+        PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY: dict(
+            current_payload.get(
+                PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY,
+                _default_settings()[PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY],
+            )
+        ),
         PREDEFINED_PATHS_SETTINGS_KEY: list(current_payload.get(PREDEFINED_PATHS_SETTINGS_KEY, [])),
         PREDEFINED_TAGS_SETTINGS_KEY: list(current_payload.get(PREDEFINED_TAGS_SETTINGS_KEY, [])),
         HANDWRITING_STYLE_SETTINGS_KEY: dict(
@@ -766,6 +821,13 @@ def update_app_settings(
             next_display["log_typing_animation_enabled"] = bool(display["log_typing_animation_enabled"])
         next_payload["display"] = next_display
 
+    if processing_log_retention is not None and isinstance(processing_log_retention, dict):
+        next_retention = dict(next_payload.get(PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY, {}))
+        for key in ("keep_document_sessions", "keep_unbound_entries"):
+            if key in processing_log_retention:
+                next_retention[key] = processing_log_retention[key]
+        next_payload[PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY] = next_retention
+
     if handwriting_style is not None and isinstance(handwriting_style, dict):
         next_handwriting_style = dict(next_payload.get(HANDWRITING_STYLE_SETTINGS_KEY, {}))
         for key in (
@@ -828,6 +890,17 @@ def read_handwriting_style_settings() -> dict[str, Any]:
     )
 
 
+def read_processing_log_retention_settings() -> dict[str, int]:
+    """Returns normalized processing log retention defaults used by worker and trim APIs."""
+
+    payload = _read_raw_settings()
+    defaults = _default_settings()[PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY]
+    return _normalize_processing_log_retention(
+        payload.get(PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION_SETTINGS_KEY, {}),
+        defaults,
+    )
+
+
 def read_predefined_paths_settings() -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
     """Returns normalized predefined logical path catalog entries."""
 

backend/app/worker/tasks.py

@@ -5,10 +5,15 @@ from datetime import UTC, datetime
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from sqlalchemy import select
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from app.db.base import SessionLocal
 from app.models.document import Document, DocumentStatus
-from app.services.app_settings import read_handwriting_provider_settings, read_handwriting_style_settings
+from app.services.app_settings import (
+    read_handwriting_provider_settings,
+    read_handwriting_style_settings,
+    read_processing_log_retention_settings,
+)
 from app.services.extractor import (
     IMAGE_EXTENSIONS,
     extract_archive_members,
@@ -32,6 +37,17 @@ from app.services.storage import absolute_path, compute_sha256, store_bytes, wri
 from app.worker.queue import get_processing_queue
 
 
+def _cleanup_processing_logs_with_settings(session: Session) -> None:
+    """Applies configured processing log retention while trimming old log entries."""
+
+    retention = read_processing_log_retention_settings()
+    cleanup_processing_logs(
+        session=session,
+        keep_document_sessions=int(retention.get("keep_document_sessions", 2)),
+        keep_unbound_entries=int(retention.get("keep_unbound_entries", 80)),
+    )
+
+
 def _create_archive_member_document(
     parent: Document,
     member_name: str,
@@ -204,7 +220,7 @@ def process_document_task(document_id: str) -> None:
                 document=document,
                 payload_json={"status": document.status.value},
             )
-            cleanup_processing_logs(session=session, keep_document_sessions=2, keep_unbound_entries=80)
+            _cleanup_processing_logs_with_settings(session=session)
             session.commit()
             for child_id in child_ids:
                 queue.enqueue("app.worker.tasks.process_document_task", child_id)
@@ -239,7 +255,7 @@ def process_document_task(document_id: str) -> None:
                 document=document,
                 payload_json={"status": document.status.value},
             )
-            cleanup_processing_logs(session=session, keep_document_sessions=2, keep_unbound_entries=80)
+            _cleanup_processing_logs_with_settings(session=session)
             session.commit()
             return
 
@@ -330,7 +346,7 @@ def process_document_task(document_id: str) -> None:
                 document=document,
                 payload_json={"status": document.status.value},
             )
-            cleanup_processing_logs(session=session, keep_document_sessions=2, keep_unbound_entries=80)
+            _cleanup_processing_logs_with_settings(session=session)
             session.commit()
             return
 
@@ -362,7 +378,7 @@ def process_document_task(document_id: str) -> None:
                 document=document,
                 payload_json={"status": document.status.value},
             )
-            cleanup_processing_logs(session=session, keep_document_sessions=2, keep_unbound_entries=80)
+            _cleanup_processing_logs_with_settings(session=session)
             session.commit()
             return
 
@@ -540,5 +556,5 @@ def process_document_task(document_id: str) -> None:
             document=document,
             payload_json={"status": document.status.value},
         )
-        cleanup_processing_logs(session=session, keep_document_sessions=2, keep_unbound_entries=80)
+        _cleanup_processing_logs_with_settings(session=session)
         session.commit()

backend/tests/test_processing_log_retention_settings.py

@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+"""Unit coverage for persisted processing log retention settings behavior."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+from types import ModuleType
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+
+BACKEND_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+if str(BACKEND_ROOT) not in sys.path:
+    sys.path.insert(0, str(BACKEND_ROOT))
+
+if "pydantic_settings" not in sys.modules:
+    pydantic_settings_stub = ModuleType("pydantic_settings")
+
+    class _BaseSettings:
+        """Minimal BaseSettings replacement for dependency-light unit test execution."""
+
+        def __init__(self, **kwargs: object) -> None:
+            for key, value in kwargs.items():
+                setattr(self, key, value)
+
+    def _settings_config_dict(**kwargs: object) -> dict[str, object]:
+        """Returns configuration values using dict semantics expected by settings module."""
+
+        return kwargs
+
+    pydantic_settings_stub.BaseSettings = _BaseSettings
+    pydantic_settings_stub.SettingsConfigDict = _settings_config_dict
+    sys.modules["pydantic_settings"] = pydantic_settings_stub
+
+from app.schemas.settings import AppSettingsUpdateRequest, ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsUpdateRequest
+from app.services import app_settings
+
+
+def _sample_current_payload() -> dict:
+    """Builds a sanitized payload used as in-memory persistence fixture for update tests."""
+
+    return app_settings._sanitize_settings(app_settings._default_settings())
+
+
+class ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Verifies defaulting, sanitization, schema mapping, and update merge behavior."""
+
+    def test_sanitize_settings_uses_default_retention_values(self) -> None:
+        """Defaults are restored when persisted payload omits retention settings."""
+
+        sanitized = app_settings._sanitize_settings({})
+        self.assertEqual(
+            sanitized["processing_log_retention"],
+            {
+                "keep_document_sessions": 2,
+                "keep_unbound_entries": 80,
+            },
+        )
+
+    def test_sanitize_settings_clamps_retention_values(self) -> None:
+        """Retention values are clamped to same bounds enforced by trim endpoint query rules."""
+
+        sanitized = app_settings._sanitize_settings(
+            {
+                "processing_log_retention": {
+                    "keep_document_sessions": 99,
+                    "keep_unbound_entries": -5,
+                }
+            }
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            sanitized["processing_log_retention"],
+            {
+                "keep_document_sessions": 20,
+                "keep_unbound_entries": 0,
+            },
+        )
+
+    def test_update_request_schema_accepts_processing_log_retention_payload(self) -> None:
+        """Settings PATCH schema keeps retention fields in serialized payloads."""
+
+        request_payload = AppSettingsUpdateRequest(
+            processing_log_retention=ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsUpdateRequest(
+                keep_document_sessions=7,
+            )
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            request_payload.model_dump(exclude_none=True)["processing_log_retention"],
+            {"keep_document_sessions": 7},
+        )
+
+    def test_update_app_settings_merges_retention_block_and_sanitizes_values(self) -> None:
+        """Settings updates merge partial retention values and persist sanitized results."""
+
+        current_payload = _sample_current_payload()
+
+        with (
+            patch.object(app_settings, "_read_raw_settings", return_value=current_payload),
+            patch.object(app_settings, "read_app_settings", return_value={"processing_log_retention": {}}),
+            patch.object(app_settings, "_write_settings") as write_settings_mock,
+        ):
+            app_settings.update_app_settings(
+                processing_log_retention={
+                    "keep_document_sessions": 9,
+                    "keep_unbound_entries": 999,
+                }
+            )
+
+        written_payload = write_settings_mock.call_args.args[0]
+        self.assertEqual(
+            written_payload["processing_log_retention"],
+            {
+                "keep_document_sessions": 9,
+                "keep_unbound_entries": 400,
+            },
+        )
+
+    def test_read_processing_log_retention_settings_returns_defaults_when_key_missing(self) -> None:
+        """Reader falls back to defaults when persisted payload omits retention key."""
+
+        payload_without_retention = _sample_current_payload()
+        payload_without_retention.pop("processing_log_retention", None)
+        with patch.object(app_settings, "_read_raw_settings", return_value=payload_without_retention):
+            retention = app_settings.read_processing_log_retention_settings()
+        self.assertEqual(
+            retention,
+            {
+                "keep_document_sessions": 2,
+                "keep_unbound_entries": 80,
+            },
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

doc/README.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ This directory contains technical documentation for DMS.
 
 - `../README.md` - project overview, setup, and quick operations
 - `architecture-overview.md` - backend, frontend, and infrastructure architecture
-- `api-contract.md` - API endpoint contract grouped by route module
+- `api-contract.md` - API endpoint contract grouped by route module, including settings and processing-log trim defaults
 - `data-model-reference.md` - database entity definitions and lifecycle states
-- `operations-and-configuration.md` - runtime operations, ports, volumes, and configuration values
-- `frontend-design-foundation.md` - frontend visual system, tokens, and UI implementation rules
+- `operations-and-configuration.md` - runtime operations, ports, volumes, and persisted settings configuration
+- `frontend-design-foundation.md` - frontend visual system, tokens, UI implementation rules, processing-log timeline behavior, and settings helper-copy guidance

doc/api-contract.md

@@ -90,7 +90,8 @@ Primary implementation modules:
   - Query: `offset`, `limit`, `document_id`
   - Response model: `ProcessingLogListResponse`
 - `POST /processing/logs/trim`
-  - Query: `keep_document_sessions`, `keep_unbound_entries`
+  - Query: optional `keep_document_sessions`, `keep_unbound_entries`
+  - Behavior: omitted query values fall back to persisted `/settings.processing_log_retention`
   - Response: trim counters
 - `POST /processing/logs/clear`
   - Response: clear counters
@@ -127,4 +128,4 @@ Processing log schemas in `backend/app/schemas/processing_logs.py`:
 - `ProcessingLogListResponse`
 
 Settings schemas in `backend/app/schemas/settings.py`:
-- Provider, task, upload-default, display, predefined paths or tags, handwriting-style, and legacy handwriting models grouped under `AppSettingsResponse` and `AppSettingsUpdateRequest`.
+- Provider, task, upload-default, display, processing-log retention, predefined paths or tags, handwriting-style, and legacy handwriting models grouped under `AppSettingsResponse` and `AppSettingsUpdateRequest`.

doc/frontend-design-foundation.md

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ Do not hardcode new palette or spacing values in component styles when a token a
 ## Control Standards
 
 - Global input, select, textarea, and button styles are defined once in `frontend/src/styles.css`.
+- Checkbox and radio controls must be styled through explicit `input[type='checkbox']` and `input[type='radio']` rules, not generic text-input selectors.
 - Variant button classes (`secondary-action`, `active-view-button`, `warning-action`, `danger-action`) are the only approved button color routes.
 - Tag chips, routing pills, card chips, and icon buttons must stay within the compact radius and spacing scale.
 - Focus states use `:focus-visible` and tokenized focus color to preserve keyboard discoverability.
@@ -41,6 +42,13 @@ Do not hardcode new palette or spacing values in component styles when a token a
 - Keep transitions brief and functional.
 - Avoid decorative animation loops outside explicit status indicators like terminal caret blink.
 
+## Processing Log Timeline Behavior
+
+- Keep processing log headers in strict arrival order when typing animation is enabled.
+- Buffer newly discovered entries and reveal only one active line at a time while it types.
+- Do not render queued headers before their animation starts, even when polling returns batched updates.
+- Preserve existing header content format and fold/unfold detail behavior as lines are revealed.
+
 ## Extension Checklist
 
 When adding or redesigning a UI area:
@@ -49,3 +57,10 @@ When adding or redesigning a UI area:
 3. Implement component styles in `frontend/src/styles.css` using existing layout and variant conventions.
 4. Validate responsive behavior at `1240px`, `1040px`, `760px`, and `560px` breakpoints.
 5. Verify keyboard focus visibility and text contrast before merging.
+
+## Settings UX Copy
+
+- Keep helper copy in settings short and plain language, especially on advanced model and threshold controls.
+- Prefer one concise hint per advanced control that explains practical impact rather than internals.
+- In the Workspace settings block, keep processing-log controls visually separated from default path and tag behavior.
+- Processing-log hints must explicitly state they affect logs and retention behavior, not document metadata values.

doc/operations-and-configuration.md

@@ -97,11 +97,14 @@ Application-level settings managed from the UI are persisted by backend settings
 Settings include:
 - upload defaults
 - display options
+- processing-log retention options (`keep_document_sessions`, `keep_unbound_entries`)
 - provider configuration
 - OCR, summary, and routing task settings
 - predefined paths and tags
 - handwriting-style clustering settings
 
+Retention settings are used by worker cleanup and by `POST /api/v1/processing/logs/trim` when trim query values are not provided.
+
 ## Validation Checklist
 
 After operational or configuration changes, verify:

frontend/src/components/ProcessingLogPanel.tsx

@@ -6,18 +6,45 @@ import type { JSX } from 'react';
 
 import type { ProcessingLogEntry } from '../types';
 
+/**
+ * Input contract for the processing timeline panel.
+ */
 interface ProcessingLogPanelProps {
+  /**
+   * Raw timeline entries returned by the API.
+   */
   entries: ProcessingLogEntry[];
+  /**
+   * Indicates that the parent screen is currently refreshing timeline data.
+   */
   isLoading: boolean;
+  /**
+   * Indicates that the timeline clear action is currently pending.
+   */
   isClearing: boolean;
+  /**
+   * Currently selected document ID used for header highlighting.
+   */
   selectedDocumentId: string | null;
+  /**
+   * Indicates whether processing work is currently active for the workspace.
+   */
   isProcessingActive: boolean;
+  /**
+   * Enables typed header rendering for newly queued entries.
+   */
   typingAnimationEnabled: boolean;
+  /**
+   * Clears persisted processing logs.
+   */
   onClear: () => void;
 }
 
 /**
- * Renders processing events in a terminal-style stream with optional typed headers.
+ * Renders processing events in a terminal-style stream with buffered sequential typing.
+ *
+ * New entries are queued and revealed one by one so batched timeline updates never render
+ * full headers before the animation for that entry has completed.
  */
 export default function ProcessingLogPanel({
   entries,
@@ -29,11 +56,15 @@ export default function ProcessingLogPanel({
   onClear,
 }: ProcessingLogPanelProps): JSX.Element {
   const timeline = useMemo(() => [...entries].reverse(), [entries]);
-  const [typedEntryIds, setTypedEntryIds] = useState<Set<number>>(() => new Set());
+  const timelineById = useMemo(() => new Map(timeline.map((entry) => [entry.id, entry])), [timeline]);
+  const [revealedEntryIds, setRevealedEntryIds] = useState<Set<number>>(() => new Set());
+  const [pendingEntryIds, setPendingEntryIds] = useState<number[]>([]);
   const [typingEntryId, setTypingEntryId] = useState<number | null>(null);
   const [typingHeader, setTypingHeader] = useState<string>('');
   const [expandedIds, setExpandedIds] = useState<Set<number>>(() => new Set());
   const timerRef = useRef<number | null>(null);
+  const isBootstrapCompleteRef = useRef<boolean>(false);
+  const knownEntryIdsRef = useRef<Set<number>>(new Set());
 
   const formatTimestamp = (value: string): string => {
     const parsed = new Date(value);
@@ -63,28 +94,120 @@ export default function ProcessingLogPanel({
   };
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    const knownIds = new Set(typedEntryIds);
-    if (typingEntryId !== null) {
-      knownIds.add(typingEntryId);
+    const timelineIdSet = new Set(timeline.map((entry) => entry.id));
+
+    knownEntryIdsRef.current.forEach((entryId) => {
+      if (!timelineIdSet.has(entryId)) {
+        knownEntryIdsRef.current.delete(entryId);
+      }
+    });
+
+    setRevealedEntryIds((current) => {
+      const next = new Set<number>();
+      current.forEach((entryId) => {
+        if (timelineIdSet.has(entryId)) {
+          next.add(entryId);
+        }
+      });
+      return next;
+    });
+    setPendingEntryIds((current) => current.filter((entryId) => timelineIdSet.has(entryId)));
+    setExpandedIds((current) => {
+      const next = new Set<number>();
+      current.forEach((entryId) => {
+        if (timelineIdSet.has(entryId)) {
+          next.add(entryId);
+        }
+      });
+      return next;
+    });
+
+    if (typingEntryId !== null && !timelineIdSet.has(typingEntryId)) {
+      if (timerRef.current !== null) {
+        window.clearInterval(timerRef.current);
+        timerRef.current = null;
+      }
+      setTypingEntryId(null);
+      setTypingHeader('');
     }
-    const nextUntyped = timeline.find((entry) => !knownIds.has(entry.id));
-    if (!nextUntyped) {
+
+    if (!isBootstrapCompleteRef.current) {
+      if (timeline.length === 0) {
+        return;
+      }
+      isBootstrapCompleteRef.current = true;
+      if (timeline.length > 1) {
+        timeline.forEach((entry) => {
+          knownEntryIdsRef.current.add(entry.id);
+        });
+        setRevealedEntryIds(new Set(timeline.map((entry) => entry.id)));
+        return;
+      }
+    }
+
+    const discoveredEntryIds: number[] = [];
+    timeline.forEach((entry) => {
+      if (!knownEntryIdsRef.current.has(entry.id)) {
+        knownEntryIdsRef.current.add(entry.id);
+        discoveredEntryIds.push(entry.id);
+      }
+    });
+
+    if (discoveredEntryIds.length > 0) {
+      setPendingEntryIds((current) => [...current, ...discoveredEntryIds]);
+    }
+  }, [timeline, typingEntryId]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (typingAnimationEnabled) {
       return;
     }
+    if (typingEntryId === null && pendingEntryIds.length === 0) {
+      return;
+    }
+    if (timerRef.current !== null) {
+      window.clearInterval(timerRef.current);
+      timerRef.current = null;
+    }
+    setRevealedEntryIds((current) => {
+      const next = new Set(current);
+      if (typingEntryId !== null) {
+        next.add(typingEntryId);
+      }
+      pendingEntryIds.forEach((entryId) => {
+        next.add(entryId);
+      });
+      return next;
+    });
+    setTypingEntryId(null);
+    setTypingHeader('');
+    setPendingEntryIds([]);
+  }, [pendingEntryIds, typingAnimationEnabled, typingEntryId]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (typingEntryId !== null || pendingEntryIds.length === 0) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const nextEntryId = pendingEntryIds[0];
+    setPendingEntryIds((current) => current.slice(1));
+
     if (!typingAnimationEnabled) {
-      setTypedEntryIds((current) => {
+      setRevealedEntryIds((current) => {
         const next = new Set(current);
-        next.add(nextUntyped.id);
+        next.add(nextEntryId);
         return next;
       });
       return;
     }
-    if (typingEntryId !== null) {
+
+    const nextEntry = timelineById.get(nextEntryId);
+    if (!nextEntry) {
       return;
     }
 
-    const fullHeader = renderHeader(nextUntyped);
-    setTypingEntryId(nextUntyped.id);
+    const fullHeader = renderHeader(nextEntry);
+    setTypingEntryId(nextEntryId);
     setTypingHeader('');
     let cursor = 0;
     timerRef.current = window.setInterval(() => {
@@ -95,15 +218,16 @@ export default function ProcessingLogPanel({
           window.clearInterval(timerRef.current);
           timerRef.current = null;
         }
-        setTypedEntryIds((current) => {
+        setRevealedEntryIds((current) => {
           const next = new Set(current);
-          next.add(nextUntyped.id);
+          next.add(nextEntryId);
           return next;
         });
         setTypingEntryId(null);
+        setTypingHeader('');
       }
     }, 10);
-  }, [timeline, typedEntryIds, typingAnimationEnabled, typingEntryId]);
+  }, [pendingEntryIds, renderHeader, timelineById, typingAnimationEnabled, typingEntryId]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     return () => {
@@ -113,6 +237,14 @@ export default function ProcessingLogPanel({
     };
   }, []);
 
+  const visibleTimeline = useMemo(() => {
+    const visibleEntryIds = new Set(revealedEntryIds);
+    if (typingEntryId !== null) {
+      visibleEntryIds.add(typingEntryId);
+    }
+    return timeline.filter((entry) => visibleEntryIds.has(entry.id));
+  }, [revealedEntryIds, timeline, typingEntryId]);
+
   return (
     <section className="processing-log-panel">
       <div className="panel-header">
@@ -127,12 +259,12 @@ export default function ProcessingLogPanel({
       <div className="processing-log-terminal-wrap">
         <div className="processing-log-terminal">
           {timeline.length === 0 && <p className="terminal-empty">No processing events yet.</p>}
-          {timeline.map((entry, index) => {
+          {visibleTimeline.map((entry, index) => {
             const groupKey = `${entry.document_id ?? 'unbound'}:${entry.stage}`;
-            const previousGroupKey = index > 0 ? `${timeline[index - 1].document_id ?? 'unbound'}:${timeline[index - 1].stage}` : null;
+            const previousGroupKey = index > 0 ? `${visibleTimeline[index - 1].document_id ?? 'unbound'}:${visibleTimeline[index - 1].stage}` : null;
             const showSeparator = index > 0 && groupKey !== previousGroupKey;
             const isTyping = entry.id === typingEntryId;
-            const isTyped = typedEntryIds.has(entry.id) || (!typingAnimationEnabled && !isTyping);
+            const isTyped = revealedEntryIds.has(entry.id) || (!typingAnimationEnabled && !isTyping);
             const isExpanded = expandedIds.has(entry.id);
             const providerModel = [entry.provider_id, entry.model_name].filter(Boolean).join(' / ');
             const hasDetails =

frontend/src/components/SettingsScreen.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 /**
  * Dedicated settings screen for providers, task model bindings, and catalog controls.
+ * Uses concise helper hints for advanced runtime and provider settings.
  */
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
 import type { JSX } from 'react';
@@ -12,6 +13,7 @@ import type {
   DisplaySettings,
   HandwritingStyleClusteringSettings,
   OcrTaskSettings,
+  ProcessingLogRetentionSettings,
   PredefinedPathEntry,
   PredefinedTagEntry,
   ProviderSettings,
@@ -47,8 +49,26 @@ function parseCardsPerPageInput(input: string, fallback: number): number {
   return clampCardsPerPage(parsed);
 }
 
+const DEFAULT_PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION: ProcessingLogRetentionSettings = {
+  keep_document_sessions: 2,
+  keep_unbound_entries: 80,
+};
+
+const PROCESSING_LOG_SESSION_MIN = 0;
+const PROCESSING_LOG_SESSION_MAX = 20;
+const PROCESSING_LOG_UNBOUND_MIN = 0;
+const PROCESSING_LOG_UNBOUND_MAX = 400;
+
+function clampProcessingLogDocumentSessions(value: number): number {
+  return Math.max(PROCESSING_LOG_SESSION_MIN, Math.min(PROCESSING_LOG_SESSION_MAX, value));
+}
+
+function clampProcessingLogUnboundEntries(value: number): number {
+  return Math.max(PROCESSING_LOG_UNBOUND_MIN, Math.min(PROCESSING_LOG_UNBOUND_MAX, value));
+}
+
 /**
- * Renders compact human-oriented settings controls.
+ * Renders compact human-oriented settings controls with plain-language hints.
  */
 export default function SettingsScreen({
   settings,
@@ -69,6 +89,7 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
   const [newPredefinedTag, setNewPredefinedTag] = useState<string>('');
   const [uploadDefaults, setUploadDefaults] = useState<UploadDefaultsSettings | null>(null);
   const [displaySettings, setDisplaySettings] = useState<DisplaySettings | null>(null);
+  const [processingLogRetention, setProcessingLogRetention] = useState<ProcessingLogRetentionSettings | null>(null);
   const [cardsPerPageInput, setCardsPerPageInput] = useState<string>('12');
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
@@ -92,6 +113,15 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
     setPredefinedTags(settings.predefined_tags);
     setUploadDefaults(settings.upload_defaults);
     setDisplaySettings(settings.display);
+    setProcessingLogRetention({
+      keep_document_sessions: clampProcessingLogDocumentSessions(
+        settings.processing_log_retention?.keep_document_sessions ??
+          DEFAULT_PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION.keep_document_sessions,
+      ),
+      keep_unbound_entries: clampProcessingLogUnboundEntries(
+        settings.processing_log_retention?.keep_unbound_entries ?? DEFAULT_PROCESSING_LOG_RETENTION.keep_unbound_entries,
+      ),
+    });
     setCardsPerPageInput(String(settings.display.cards_per_page));
     setError(null);
   }, [settings]);
@@ -163,7 +193,15 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
   };
 
   const handleSave = useCallback(async (): Promise<void> => {
-    if (!ocrTask || !summaryTask || !routingTask || !handwritingStyle || !uploadDefaults || !displaySettings) {
+    if (
+      !ocrTask ||
+      !summaryTask ||
+      !routingTask ||
+      !handwritingStyle ||
+      !uploadDefaults ||
+      !displaySettings ||
+      !processingLogRetention
+    ) {
       setError('Settings are not fully loaded yet');
       return;
     }
@@ -175,7 +213,12 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
     setError(null);
     try {
       const resolvedCardsPerPage = parseCardsPerPageInput(cardsPerPageInput, displaySettings.cards_per_page);
+      const resolvedProcessingLogRetention: ProcessingLogRetentionSettings = {
+        keep_document_sessions: clampProcessingLogDocumentSessions(processingLogRetention.keep_document_sessions),
+        keep_unbound_entries: clampProcessingLogUnboundEntries(processingLogRetention.keep_unbound_entries),
+      };
       setDisplaySettings({ ...displaySettings, cards_per_page: resolvedCardsPerPage });
+      setProcessingLogRetention(resolvedProcessingLogRetention);
       setCardsPerPageInput(String(resolvedCardsPerPage));
 
       await onSave({
@@ -187,6 +230,7 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
           cards_per_page: resolvedCardsPerPage,
           log_typing_animation_enabled: displaySettings.log_typing_animation_enabled,
         },
+        processing_log_retention: resolvedProcessingLogRetention,
         predefined_paths: predefinedPaths,
         predefined_tags: predefinedTags,
         handwriting_style_clustering: {
@@ -252,21 +296,51 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
     routingTask,
     summaryTask,
     uploadDefaults,
+    processingLogRetention,
   ]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!onRegisterSaveAction) {
       return;
     }
-    if (!settings || !ocrTask || !summaryTask || !routingTask || !handwritingStyle || !uploadDefaults || !displaySettings) {
+    if (
+      !settings ||
+      !ocrTask ||
+      !summaryTask ||
+      !routingTask ||
+      !handwritingStyle ||
+      !uploadDefaults ||
+      !displaySettings ||
+      !processingLogRetention
+    ) {
       onRegisterSaveAction(null);
       return;
     }
     onRegisterSaveAction(() => handleSave());
     return () => onRegisterSaveAction(null);
-  }, [displaySettings, handleSave, handwritingStyle, ocrTask, onRegisterSaveAction, routingTask, settings, summaryTask, uploadDefaults]);
+  }, [
+    displaySettings,
+    handleSave,
+    handwritingStyle,
+    ocrTask,
+    onRegisterSaveAction,
+    processingLogRetention,
+    routingTask,
+    settings,
+    summaryTask,
+    uploadDefaults,
+  ]);
 
-  if (!settings || !ocrTask || !summaryTask || !routingTask || !handwritingStyle || !uploadDefaults || !displaySettings) {
+  if (
+    !settings ||
+    !ocrTask ||
+    !summaryTask ||
+    !routingTask ||
+    !handwritingStyle ||
+    !uploadDefaults ||
+    !displaySettings ||
+    !processingLogRetention
+  ) {
     return (
       <section className="settings-layout">
         <div className="settings-card">
@@ -294,6 +368,7 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
               onChange={(nextPath) => setUploadDefaults({ ...uploadDefaults, logical_path: nextPath })}
               suggestions={knownPaths}
             />
+            <span className="settings-field-hint">Used when you upload without choosing a path.</span>
           </label>
           <label className="settings-field settings-field-wide">
             Default Tags
@@ -302,6 +377,7 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
               onChange={(nextTags) => setUploadDefaults({ ...uploadDefaults, tags: nextTags })}
               suggestions={knownTags}
             />
+            <span className="settings-field-hint">Added automatically when no tags are selected.</span>
           </label>
           <label className="settings-field">
             Cards Per Page
@@ -312,8 +388,53 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
               value={cardsPerPageInput}
               onChange={(event) => setCardsPerPageInput(event.target.value)}
             />
+            <span className="settings-field-hint">Controls how many documents you see at once.</span>
           </label>
-          <label className="inline-checkbox settings-checkbox-field">
+          <div className="settings-subsection-divider">
+            <h4>Processing Log Controls</h4>
+            <p className="small">
+              These settings affect processing logs only. They do not change default path, tags, or document cards.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+          <label className="settings-field">
+            Keep document sessions
+            <input
+              type="number"
+              min={PROCESSING_LOG_SESSION_MIN}
+              max={PROCESSING_LOG_SESSION_MAX}
+              value={processingLogRetention.keep_document_sessions}
+              onChange={(event) => {
+                const nextValue = Number.parseInt(event.target.value, 10);
+                if (!Number.isNaN(nextValue)) {
+                  setProcessingLogRetention({
+                    ...processingLogRetention,
+                    keep_document_sessions: clampProcessingLogDocumentSessions(nextValue),
+                  });
+                }
+              }}
+            />
+            <span className="settings-field-hint">How many recent log sessions to keep for each document.</span>
+          </label>
+          <label className="settings-field">
+            Keep unbound entries
+            <input
+              type="number"
+              min={PROCESSING_LOG_UNBOUND_MIN}
+              max={PROCESSING_LOG_UNBOUND_MAX}
+              value={processingLogRetention.keep_unbound_entries}
+              onChange={(event) => {
+                const nextValue = Number.parseInt(event.target.value, 10);
+                if (!Number.isNaN(nextValue)) {
+                  setProcessingLogRetention({
+                    ...processingLogRetention,
+                    keep_unbound_entries: clampProcessingLogUnboundEntries(nextValue),
+                  });
+                }
+              }}
+            />
+            <span className="settings-field-hint">How many standalone log entries to keep.</span>
+          </label>
+          <label className="inline-checkbox settings-checkbox-field settings-checkbox-with-hint">
             <input
               type="checkbox"
               checked={displaySettings.log_typing_animation_enabled}
@@ -321,8 +442,14 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
                 setDisplaySettings({ ...displaySettings, log_typing_animation_enabled: event.target.checked })
               }
             />
-            Processing log typing animation enabled
+            <span className="settings-checkbox-copy">
+              Processing log typing animation enabled
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Shows new log text as a type-in animation.</span>
+            </span>
           </label>
+          <p className="small settings-helper-text">
+            Processing-log retention values are used by backend trim routines when pruning historical entries.
+          </p>
         </div>
       </div>
 
@@ -453,6 +580,7 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
                       )
                     }
                   />
+                  <span className="settings-field-hint">Task settings use this ID to select the provider.</span>
                 </label>
                 <label className="settings-field">
                   Label
@@ -484,6 +612,7 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
                       );
                     }}
                   />
+                  <span className="settings-field-hint">Stop waiting after this many seconds if a call hangs.</span>
                 </label>
                 <label className="settings-field settings-field-wide">
                   Base URL
@@ -497,6 +626,7 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
                       )
                     }
                   />
+                  <span className="settings-field-hint">API endpoint root for this provider.</span>
                 </label>
                 <label className="settings-field settings-field-wide">
                   API Key
@@ -512,6 +642,7 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
                       )
                     }
                   />
+                  <span className="settings-field-hint">Leave blank to keep the current stored key.</span>
                 </label>
                 <label className="inline-checkbox settings-checkbox-field">
                   <input
@@ -566,10 +697,12 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
             <label className="settings-field">
               Model
               <input value={ocrTask.model} onChange={(event) => setOcrTask({ ...ocrTask, model: event.target.value })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Model name sent to the selected provider.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field settings-field-wide">
               OCR Prompt
               <textarea value={ocrTask.prompt} onChange={(event) => setOcrTask({ ...ocrTask, prompt: event.target.value })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Instructions used when reading handwriting text.</span>
             </label>
           </div>
         </div>
@@ -596,6 +729,7 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
             <label className="settings-field">
               Model
               <input value={summaryTask.model} onChange={(event) => setSummaryTask({ ...summaryTask, model: event.target.value })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Model name sent to the selected provider.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Max Input Tokens
@@ -611,10 +745,12 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
                   }
                 }}
               />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Long inputs are trimmed to this size before summarizing.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field settings-field-wide">
               Summary Prompt
               <textarea value={summaryTask.prompt} onChange={(event) => setSummaryTask({ ...summaryTask, prompt: event.target.value })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Instructions that shape the generated summary.</span>
             </label>
           </div>
         </div>
@@ -641,42 +777,56 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
             <label className="settings-field">
               Model
               <input value={routingTask.model} onChange={(event) => setRoutingTask({ ...routingTask, model: event.target.value })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Model name sent to the selected provider.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Neighbor Count
               <input type="number" value={routingTask.neighbor_count} onChange={(event) => setRoutingTask({ ...routingTask, neighbor_count: Number.parseInt(event.target.value, 10) || routingTask.neighbor_count })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">How many close matches to compare before routing.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Min Neighbor Similarity
               <input type="number" step="0.01" min="0" max="1" value={routingTask.neighbor_min_similarity} onChange={(event) => setRoutingTask({ ...routingTask, neighbor_min_similarity: Number.parseFloat(event.target.value) || routingTask.neighbor_min_similarity })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Ignore neighbors below this match score.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Auto Apply Confidence
               <input type="number" step="0.01" min="0" max="1" value={routingTask.auto_apply_confidence_threshold} onChange={(event) => setRoutingTask({ ...routingTask, auto_apply_confidence_threshold: Number.parseFloat(event.target.value) || routingTask.auto_apply_confidence_threshold })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Minimum model confidence for automatic changes.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Auto Apply Neighbor Similarity
               <input type="number" step="0.01" min="0" max="1" value={routingTask.auto_apply_neighbor_similarity_threshold} onChange={(event) => setRoutingTask({ ...routingTask, auto_apply_neighbor_similarity_threshold: Number.parseFloat(event.target.value) || routingTask.auto_apply_neighbor_similarity_threshold })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Minimum neighbor score for automatic changes.</span>
             </label>
-            <label className="inline-checkbox settings-checkbox-field">
+            <label className="inline-checkbox settings-checkbox-field settings-checkbox-with-hint">
               <input type="checkbox" checked={routingTask.neighbor_path_override_enabled} onChange={(event) => setRoutingTask({ ...routingTask, neighbor_path_override_enabled: event.target.checked })} />
-              Dominant neighbor path override enabled
+              <span className="settings-checkbox-copy">
+                Dominant neighbor path override enabled
+                <span className="settings-field-hint">
+                  If a strong top match disagrees with the model, use the top match path instead.
+                </span>
+              </span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Override Min Similarity
               <input type="number" step="0.01" min="0" max="1" value={routingTask.neighbor_path_override_min_similarity} onChange={(event) => setRoutingTask({ ...routingTask, neighbor_path_override_min_similarity: Number.parseFloat(event.target.value) || routingTask.neighbor_path_override_min_similarity })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Top neighbor must reach this score to override.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Override Min Gap
               <input type="number" step="0.01" min="0" max="1" value={routingTask.neighbor_path_override_min_gap} onChange={(event) => setRoutingTask({ ...routingTask, neighbor_path_override_min_gap: Number.parseFloat(event.target.value) || routingTask.neighbor_path_override_min_gap })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Top match must beat the second match by at least this gap.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Override Max LLM Confidence
               <input type="number" step="0.01" min="0" max="1" value={routingTask.neighbor_path_override_max_confidence} onChange={(event) => setRoutingTask({ ...routingTask, neighbor_path_override_max_confidence: Number.parseFloat(event.target.value) || routingTask.neighbor_path_override_max_confidence })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Override only runs when model confidence is at or below this level.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field settings-field-wide">
               Routing Prompt
               <textarea value={routingTask.prompt} onChange={(event) => setRoutingTask({ ...routingTask, prompt: event.target.value })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Instructions used when deciding document path and tags.</span>
             </label>
           </div>
         </div>
@@ -693,26 +843,32 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({
             <label className="settings-field settings-field-wide">
               Typesense Embedding Model Slug
               <input value={handwritingStyle.embed_model} onChange={(event) => setHandwritingStyle({ ...handwritingStyle, embed_model: event.target.value })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Embedding model used to compare handwriting style similarity.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Neighbor Limit
               <input type="number" min={1} max={32} value={handwritingStyle.neighbor_limit} onChange={(event) => setHandwritingStyle({ ...handwritingStyle, neighbor_limit: Number.parseInt(event.target.value, 10) || handwritingStyle.neighbor_limit })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">How many nearby samples to check during matching.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Match Min Similarity
               <input type="number" step="0.01" min="0" max="1" value={handwritingStyle.match_min_similarity} onChange={(event) => setHandwritingStyle({ ...handwritingStyle, match_min_similarity: Number.parseFloat(event.target.value) || handwritingStyle.match_min_similarity })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Minimum similarity needed to treat two styles as a match.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Bootstrap Match Min Similarity
               <input type="number" step="0.01" min="0" max="1" value={handwritingStyle.bootstrap_match_min_similarity} onChange={(event) => setHandwritingStyle({ ...handwritingStyle, bootstrap_match_min_similarity: Number.parseFloat(event.target.value) || handwritingStyle.bootstrap_match_min_similarity })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Stricter match score used only while bootstrapping new clusters.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Bootstrap Sample Size
               <input type="number" min={1} max={30} value={handwritingStyle.bootstrap_sample_size} onChange={(event) => setHandwritingStyle({ ...handwritingStyle, bootstrap_sample_size: Number.parseInt(event.target.value, 10) || handwritingStyle.bootstrap_sample_size })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Number of samples used to start each new style cluster.</span>
             </label>
             <label className="settings-field">
               Max Image Side (px)
               <input type="number" min={256} max={4096} value={handwritingStyle.image_max_side} onChange={(event) => setHandwritingStyle({ ...handwritingStyle, image_max_side: Number.parseInt(event.target.value, 10) || handwritingStyle.image_max_side })} />
+              <span className="settings-field-hint">Resizes large images to this limit before analysis.</span>
             </label>
           </div>
         </div>

frontend/src/styles.css

@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
   min-height: 2rem;
 }
 
-input,
+input:not([type='checkbox']):not([type='radio']),
 select,
 textarea {
   width: 100%;
@@ -86,24 +86,39 @@ textarea {
   transition: border-color var(--transition-fast), box-shadow var(--transition-fast), background-color var(--transition-fast);
 }
 
-input::placeholder,
+input:not([type='checkbox']):not([type='radio'])::placeholder,
 textarea::placeholder {
   color: #72819e;
 }
 
-input:hover,
+input:not([type='checkbox']):not([type='radio']):hover,
 select:hover,
 textarea:hover {
   border-color: var(--color-border-strong);
 }
 
-input:focus,
+input:not([type='checkbox']):not([type='radio']):focus,
 select:focus,
 textarea:focus {
   border-color: var(--color-accent);
   box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(63, 141, 255, 0.2);
 }
 
+input[type='checkbox'],
+input[type='radio'] {
+  width: 1rem;
+  height: 1rem;
+  margin: 0;
+  accent-color: var(--color-accent);
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+input[type='checkbox']:focus-visible,
+input[type='radio']:focus-visible {
+  outline: 2px solid rgba(63, 141, 255, 0.6);
+  outline-offset: 2px;
+}
+
 select {
   appearance: none;
   padding-right: 1.9rem;
@@ -961,23 +976,69 @@ button:disabled {
   color: var(--color-text-muted);
 }
 
+.settings-field-hint {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 0.72rem;
+  font-weight: 400;
+  color: #95a6c4;
+  line-height: 1.35;
+}
+
+.settings-subsection-divider {
+  grid-column: span 12;
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 0.2rem;
+  padding-top: 0.2rem;
+  border-top: 1px solid rgba(70, 89, 122, 0.55);
+}
+
+.settings-subsection-divider h4 {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-family: var(--font-display);
+  font-size: 0.82rem;
+}
+
+.settings-subsection-divider p {
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
 .inline-checkbox {
   display: grid;
   grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;
   align-items: center;
   gap: 0.45rem;
+  min-height: 1.95rem;
+  padding: 0.35rem 0.45rem;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(70, 89, 122, 0.55);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-xs);
+  background: rgba(18, 27, 41, 0.62);
   font-size: 0.79rem;
   color: #cad7ed;
+  cursor: pointer;
 }
 
 .inline-checkbox input {
   margin: 0;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+.inline-checkbox input:disabled {
+  cursor: not-allowed;
 }
 
 .settings-toggle {
   color: #dbe8ff;
 }
 
+.settings-checkbox-with-hint {
+  align-items: start;
+}
+
+.settings-checkbox-copy {
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 0.15rem;
+}
+
 .settings-catalog-grid {
   display: grid;
   grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));

frontend/src/types.ts

@@ -176,6 +176,14 @@ export interface DisplaySettings {
   log_typing_animation_enabled: boolean;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Represents retention targets used when trimming persisted processing logs.
+ */
+export interface ProcessingLogRetentionSettings {
+  keep_document_sessions: number;
+  keep_unbound_entries: number;
+}
+
 /**
  * Represents one predefined logical path and discoverability scope.
  */
@@ -220,6 +228,7 @@ export interface TaskSettings {
 export interface AppSettings {
   upload_defaults: UploadDefaultsSettings;
   display: DisplaySettings;
+  processing_log_retention: ProcessingLogRetentionSettings;
   handwriting_style_clustering: HandwritingStyleClusteringSettings;
   predefined_paths: PredefinedPathEntry[];
   predefined_tags: PredefinedTagEntry[];
@@ -265,6 +274,14 @@ export interface DisplaySettingsUpdate {
   log_typing_animation_enabled?: boolean;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Represents processing-log retention update payload.
+ */
+export interface ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsUpdate {
+  keep_document_sessions?: number;
+  keep_unbound_entries?: number;
+}
+
 /**
  * Represents handwriting-style clustering settings update payload.
  */
@@ -284,6 +301,7 @@ export interface HandwritingStyleClusteringSettingsUpdate {
 export interface AppSettingsUpdate {
   upload_defaults?: UploadDefaultsSettingsUpdate;
   display?: DisplaySettingsUpdate;
+  processing_log_retention?: ProcessingLogRetentionSettingsUpdate;
   handwriting_style_clustering?: HandwritingStyleClusteringSettingsUpdate;
   predefined_paths?: PredefinedPathEntry[];
   predefined_tags?: PredefinedTagEntry[];