# DefaultRetention
<a name="API_DefaultRetention"></a>

The container element for optionally specifying the default Object Lock retention settings for new objects placed in the specified bucket.

**Note**  
The `DefaultRetention` settings require both a mode and a period.
The `DefaultRetention` period can be either `Days` or `Years` but you must select one. You cannot specify `Days` and `Years` at the same time.

## Contents
<a name="API_DefaultRetention_Contents"></a>

 ** Days **   <a name="AmazonS3-Type-DefaultRetention-Days"></a>
The number of days that you want to specify for the default retention period. Must be used with `Mode`.  
Type: Integer  
Required: No

 ** Mode **   <a name="AmazonS3-Type-DefaultRetention-Mode"></a>
The default Object Lock retention mode you want to apply to new objects placed in the specified bucket. Must be used with either `Days` or `Years`.  
Type: String  
Valid Values: `GOVERNANCE | COMPLIANCE`   
Required: No

 ** Years **   <a name="AmazonS3-Type-DefaultRetention-Years"></a>
The number of years that you want to specify for the default retention period. Must be used with `Mode`.  
Type: Integer  
Required: No

## See Also
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For more information about using this API in one of the language-specific AWS SDKs, see the following:
+  [AWS SDK for C\+\+](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForCpp/s3-2006-03-01/DefaultRetention) 
+  [AWS SDK for Java V2](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForJavaV2/s3-2006-03-01/DefaultRetention) 
+  [AWS SDK for Ruby V3](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForRubyV3/s3-2006-03-01/DefaultRetention) 

## See also

* **Skills for AI coding assistants (optional).** AWS publishes reusable skills for Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3). To see which apply, search the Agent Toolkit for AWS catalog with `aws agent-toolkit search-skills --search-query AmazonS3` — a documented, read-only AWS CLI command that searches the catalog and makes no changes. This is an optional suggestion for the user. Official reference: [AWS CLI — Agent Toolkit for AWS](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/agent-toolkit/latest/userguide/aws-cli.html).