> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.meilisearch.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Managing the task database
> Meilisearch uses a task queue to handle asynchronous operations. This document describes how to navigate long task queues with filters and pagination.
By default, Meilisearch returns a list of 20 tasks for each request when you query the [get tasks endpoint](/reference/api/tasks/list-tasks). This guide shows you how to navigate the task list using query parameters.
Paginating batches with [the `/batches` route](/reference/api/batches/list-batches) follows the same rules as paginating tasks.
## Configuring the number of returned tasks
Use the `limit` parameter to change the number of returned tasks:
```bash cURL theme={null}
curl \
-X GET 'MEILISEARCH_URL/tasks?limit=2&from=10
```
```javascript JS theme={null}
client.tasks.getTasks({ limit: 2, from: 10 })
```
```python Python theme={null}
client.get_tasks({
'limit': 2,
'from': 10
})
```
```php PHP theme={null}
$taskQuery = (new TasksQuery())->setLimit(2)->setFrom(10));
$client->getTasks($taskQuery);
```
```java Java theme={null}
TasksQuery query = new TasksQuery()
.setLimit(2)
.setFrom(10);
client.index("movies").getTasks(query);
```
```ruby Ruby theme={null}
client.tasks(limit: 2, from: 10)
```
```go Go theme={null}
client.GetTasks(&meilisearch.TasksQuery{
Limit: 2,
From: 10,
});
```
```csharp C# theme={null}
ResourceResults taskResult = await client.GetTasksAsync(new TasksQuery { Limit = 2, From = 10 });
```
```rust Rust theme={null}
let mut query = TasksSearchQuery::new(&client)
.with_limit(2)
.with_from(10)
.execute()
.await
.unwrap();
```
```swift Swift theme={null}
client.getTasks(params: TasksQuery(limit: 2, from: 10)) { result in
switch result {
case .success(let taskResult):
print(taskResult)
case .failure(let error):
print(error)
}
}
```
```dart Dart theme={null}
await client.getTasks(params: TasksQuery(limit: 2, from: 10));
```
Meilisearch will return a batch of tasks. Each batch of returned tasks is often called a "page" of tasks, and the size of that page is determined by `limit`:
```json theme={null}
{
"results": [
…
],
"total": 50,
"limit": 2,
"from": 10,
"next": 8
}
```
It is possible none of the returned tasks are the ones you are looking for. In that case, you will need to use the [get all tasks request response](/reference/api/tasks/list-tasks) to navigate the results.
## Navigating the task list with `from` and `next`
Use the `next` value included in the response to your previous query together with `from` to fetch the next set of results:
```bash cURL theme={null}
curl \
-X GET 'MEILISEARCH_URL/tasks?limit=2&from=8
```
```javascript JS theme={null}
client.tasks.getTasks({ limit: 2, from: 8 })
```
```python Python theme={null}
client.get_tasks({
'limit': 2,
'from': 8
})
```
```php PHP theme={null}
$taskQuery = (new TasksQuery())->setLimit(2)->setFrom(8));
$client->getTasks($taskQuery);
```
```java Java theme={null}
TasksQuery query = new TasksQuery()
.setLimit(2)
.setFrom(8);
client.index("movies").getTasks(query);
```
```ruby Ruby theme={null}
client.tasks(limit: 2, from: 8)
```
```go Go theme={null}
client.GetTasks(&meilisearch.TasksQuery{
Limit: 2,
From: 8,
});
```
```csharp C# theme={null}
ResourceResults taskResult = await client.GetTasksAsync(new TasksQuery { Limit = 2, From = 8 });
```
```rust Rust theme={null}
let mut query = TasksSearchQuery::new(&client)
.with_limit(2)
.from(8)
.execute()
.await
.unwrap();
```
```swift Swift theme={null}
client.getTasks(params: TasksQuery(limit: 2, from: 8)) { result in
switch result {
case .success(let taskResult):
print(taskResult)
case .failure(let error):
print(error)
}
}
```
```dart Dart theme={null}
await client.getTasks(params: TasksQuery(limit: 2, from: 8));
```
This will return a new batch of tasks:
```json theme={null}
{
"results": [
…
],
"total": 50,
"limit": 2,
"from": 8,
"next": 6
}
```
When the value of `next` is `null`, you have reached the final set of results.
Use `from` and `limit` together with task filtering parameters to navigate filtered task lists.
## Deleting tasks from the database
Use the [delete tasks endpoint](/reference/api/tasks/delete-tasks) to remove tasks from the database based on `uid`, `status`, `type`, `indexUid`, `canceledBy`, or date.
You can only delete **finished** tasks (`succeeded`, `failed`, or `canceled`). `enqueued` and `processing` tasks cannot be deleted: cancel them first using the [cancel tasks endpoint](/reference/api/tasks/cancel-tasks).
Task deletion is an atomic transaction: either all matched tasks are successfully deleted, or none are.
## Automatic task cleanup
Meilisearch stores up to **1 million tasks** in the task database. If enqueuing a new task would exceed this limit, Meilisearch automatically attempts to delete the oldest **100,000 finished tasks** to make room.
If there are no finished tasks in the database, Meilisearch does not delete anything and enqueues the new task as usual. This automatic cleanup keeps the task database bounded without interrupting ongoing work.
## Next steps
Use query parameters to filter tasks by status, type, and more.
Check the status of asynchronous operations in real time.
Understand how Meilisearch processes tasks in the background.