---
title: "Configuring Session Timeout"
slug: "configuring-session-timeout"
updated: 2026-02-16T14:28:48Z
published: 2026-02-16T14:28:48Z
canonical: "knowledge.curiositysoftware.ie/configuring-session-timeout"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.curiositysoftware.ie/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configuring Session Timeout

Curiosity uses the `REFRESH_IDLE_TIMEOUT` environment variable to control how long an authenticated session remains active before timing out due to inactivity.

This setting is configured on the **api service** within the Docker deployment.

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## Default Value

`REFRESH_IDLE_TIMEOUT=3600 `

- Value is in **seconds**
- Default is **3600 seconds (1 hour)**

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## Where It Is Configured

This variable is defined in the Docker configuration for the `api` service:

- `docker-compose.yml`
- or `.env` file (depending on deployment structure)

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## How to View the Current Value

### Option 1 – Check docker-compose.yml

Locate the `api` service section and check:

`environment:   - REFRESH_IDLE_TIMEOUT=3600 `

### Option 2 – Inspect Running Container

On the Linux host:

`docker exec -it <api-container-name> printenv | grep REFRESH_IDLE_TIMEOUT `

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## How to Change the Timeout

1. Edit the environment variable in:
  - `docker-compose.yml`
  - or `.env` file
2. Set desired value (in seconds)

Example – 2 hours:

`REFRESH_IDLE_TIMEOUT=7200 `

1. Restart the API container:

`docker-compose down docker-compose up -d `

Or restart only the API container if preferred.