Lakitna · Lakitna · Mar 10, 2026 · Mar 8, 2026 · Mar 8, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -121,7 +121,8 @@ The value `beautiful` will expire 10 seconds from the moment it's stored.
 If you try to retrieve an expired value with `Cache Retrieve Value` it will return `None` like it
 would if it was never stored.
 
-The default retention is 3600 seconds (1 hour).
+The default retention is 3600 seconds (1 hour). You can change this default when importing the
+library.
 
 ### Changing the cache file path
 

diff --git a/src/CacheLibrary/CacheLibrary.py b/src/CacheLibrary/CacheLibrary.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any, TypeAlias, TypedDict
+from typing import Any, Literal, TypeAlias, TypedDict
 
 from pabot.pabotlib import PabotLib
 from robot.api import logger
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ class CacheEntry(TypedDict):
 
 CacheContents: TypeAlias = dict[CacheKey, CacheEntry]
 
-
 KwName: TypeAlias = str
 KwArgs: TypeAlias = Any
 
@@ -95,14 +94,17 @@ def __init__(
         self,
         file_path: str = "robotframework-cache.json",
         file_size_warning_bytes: int = 500000,
+        default_expire_in_seconds: int = 3600,
     ) -> None:
         """
-        | `file_path` | Path to the cache file. Relative to where Robot Frameworks working directory |
-        | `file_size_warning_bytes` | Log warning when the cache exceeds this size |
+        | `file_path`                      | Path to the cache file. Relative to where Robot Frameworks working directory                   |
+        | `file_size_warning_bytes`        | Log warning when the cache exceeds this size                                                   |
+        | `default_expire_in_seconds=3600` | After how many seconds should a stored value expire. Can be overwritten when a value is stored |
         """  # noqa: D205, E501
         self.pabotlib = PabotLib()
         self.file_path = Path(file_path)
         self.file_size_warning_bytes = file_size_warning_bytes
+        self.default_expire_in_seconds = default_expire_in_seconds
 
     @keyword
     def cache_retrieve_value(self, key: CacheKey) -> CacheValue | None:
@@ -138,7 +140,7 @@ def cache_store_value(
         self,
         key: CacheKey,
         value: CacheValue,
-        expire_in_seconds: int = 3600,
+        expire_in_seconds: int | Literal["default"] = "default",
     ) -> None:
         """
         Store a value in the cache.
@@ -153,26 +155,29 @@ def cache_store_value(
         - Dictionary
         - List
 
-        | `key`                    | Name of the value to be stored                 |
-        | `value`                  | Value to be stored                             |
-        | `expire_in_seconds=3600` | After how many seconds the value should expire |
+        | `key`                       | Name of the value to be stored                 |
+        | `value`                     | Value to be stored                             |
+        | `expire_in_seconds=default` | After how many seconds the value should expire |
 
         = Examples =
 
         == Basic usage ==
 
         Store a value in the cache
 
-        |    Cache Store Value    user-session    ${session_token}
+        |   Cache Store Value    user-session    ${session_token}
 
         --------------------
 
         == Control expiration ==
 
         Store a value in the cache and set it to expire in 1 minute
 
-        |    Cache Store Value    user-session    ${session_token}    expire_in_seconds=60
+        |   Cache Store Value    user-session    ${session_token}    expire_in_seconds=60
         """
+        if expire_in_seconds == "default":
+            expire_in_seconds = self.default_expire_in_seconds
+
         with self._lock("cachelib-edit"):
             cache = self._open_cache_file()
 
@@ -197,7 +202,7 @@ def cache_remove_value(self, key: CacheKey) -> None:
 
         Remove a value from the cache
 
-        |    Cache Remove Value    user-session
+        |  Cache Remove Value    user-session
         """
         with self._lock("cachelib-edit"):
             cache = self._open_cache_file()
@@ -223,7 +228,7 @@ def run_keyword_and_cache_output(
         self,
         keyword: KwName,
         *args: KwArgs,
-        expire_in_seconds: int = 3600,
+        expire_in_seconds: int | Literal["default"] = "default",
     ) -> CacheValue:
         """
         If possible, return the keyword's output from cache.
@@ -235,33 +240,34 @@ def run_keyword_and_cache_output(
         to create incorrect caching behavior. You can easily create two keyword calls that
         functionally do the same thing, but are considered different for caching purposes.
 
-        | `keyword`                | The keyword that to be run                     |
-        | `*args`                  | Arguments send to the keyword                  |
-        | `expire_in_seconds=3600` | After how many seconds the value should expire |
+        | `keyword`                | The keyword that to be run                        |
+        | `*args`                  | Arguments send to the keyword                     |
+        | `expire_in_seconds=default` | After how many seconds the value should expire |
 
         = Examples =
 
         == Basic usage ==
 
         Wrap a keyword with Run Keyword And Cache Output to cache its output.
 
-        |    ${session_token} =    Run Keyword And Cache Output    Get API Session Token
+        |  ${session_token} =    Run Keyword And Cache Output    Get API Session Token
 
         --------------------
 
         == With keyword arguments ==
 
         Wrap a keyword that requires arguments.
 
-        |    ${user_session_token} =    Run Keyword And Cache Output    Login User    ${username}    ${password}
+        |  ${user_session_token} =    Run Keyword And Cache Output    Login User    ${username}    ${password}
 
         --------------------
 
         == Control expiration ==
 
         Wrap a keyword that requires arguments and set it to expire in 1 minute
 
-        |    ${user_session_token} =    Run Keyword And Cache Output    Login User    ${username}    ${password}    expire_in_seconds=60
+        |  ${user_session_token} =    Run Keyword And Cache Output
+        |  ...  Login User    ${username}    ${password}    expire_in_seconds=60
 
         --------------------
 
@@ -316,6 +322,7 @@ def _open_cache_file(self) -> CacheContents:
                 cache_contents[key] = entry
 
         self.pabotlib.set_parallel_value_for_key(self.parallel_value_key, cache_contents)
+
         self._store_json_file(self.file_path, cache_contents)
         return cache_contents
 

diff --git a/tasks.py b/tasks.py
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ def test(c: Context):
             test_integration_sync,
             test_integration_parallel_suite_level,
             test_integration_parallel_test_level,
-            test_acceptance_parallel_test_level,
-            test_acceptance_parallel_test_level,
+            test_acceptance_sync,
+            test_acceptance_parallel_suite_level,
             test_acceptance_parallel_test_level,
         ),
     )
@@ -159,8 +159,8 @@ def test_acceptance_parallel_test_level(c: Context):
     test_integration_parallel_suite_level,
     test_integration_parallel_test_level,
     test_acceptance,
-    test_acceptance_parallel_test_level,
-    test_acceptance_parallel_test_level,
+    test_acceptance_sync,
+    test_acceptance_parallel_suite_level,
     test_acceptance_parallel_test_level,
 )
 ns.configure(

diff --git a/test/acceptance/run.robot b/test/acceptance/run.robot
@@ -1,89 +1,132 @@
 *** Settings ***
-Library    Process
-Library    FakerLibrary
-Library    OperatingSystem
-Library    Collections
+Library     Collections
+Library     DateTime
+Library     OperatingSystem
+Library     Process
+Library     FakerLibrary
+
+
+*** Variables ***
+${DEFAULT_EXPIRES_IN_SECONDS}       ${3600}
+
 
 *** Test Cases ***
 A01 Fetches cache from file
-    ${file_cache_path} =  Set Variable    robocache-A01.json
+    ${file_cache_path} =    Set Variable    robocache-A01.json
 
-    ${cache} =  Create Dictionary    some-string-value=Lorum ipsum dolor sit amet conscuer
+    ${cache} =    Create Dictionary    some-string-value=Lorum ipsum dolor sit amet conscuer
     Create Cache File With Content    ${file_cache_path}    ${cache}
 
     Run Test File With Robot    A01.robot
 
     [Teardown]    Remove File    ${file_cache_path}
 
 A02 Creates a new cache file if it does not exist
-    ${file_cache_path} =  Set Variable    robocache-A02.json
+    ${file_cache_path} =    Set Variable    robocache-A02.json
 
     Run Test File With Robot    A02.robot
 
     File Should Exist    ${file_cache_path}
-    ${contents} =   Get File    ${file_cache_path}
+    ${contents} =    Get File    ${file_cache_path}
     Should Contain    ${contents}    "some-value": {
     Should Contain    ${contents}    "value": "Hello, world!"
 
     [Teardown]    Remove File    ${file_cache_path}
 
 A03 Resets the cache file when adding and the cache file is not json
-    ${file_cache_path} =  Set Variable    robocache-A03.json
+    ${file_cache_path} =    Set Variable    robocache-A03.json
 
     Create File    ${file_cache_path}    <this> is #not# json!
 
     Run Test File With Robot    A03.robot
 
     File Should Exist    ${file_cache_path}
-    ${contents} =   Get File    ${file_cache_path}
+    ${contents} =    Get File    ${file_cache_path}
     Should Contain    ${contents}    "some-value": {
     Should Contain    ${contents}    "value": "Hello, world!"
 
     [Teardown]    Remove File    ${file_cache_path}
 
 A04 Resets the cache file when fetching and the cache file is not json
-    ${file_cache_path} =  Set Variable    robocache-A04.json
+    ${file_cache_path} =    Set Variable    robocache-A04.json
 
     Create File    ${file_cache_path}    <this> is #not# json!
 
     Run Test File With Robot    A04.robot
 
     File Should Exist    ${file_cache_path}
-    ${contents} =   Get File    ${file_cache_path}
+    ${contents} =    Get File    ${file_cache_path}
+    Should Be Equal    ${contents}    \{\}
+
+    [Teardown]    Remove File    ${file_cache_path}
+
+A05 Removes expired values from the cache file
+    ${file_cache_path} =    Set Variable    robocache-A05.json
+
+    ${cache} =    Create Dictionary    expired_value=123
+    Create Cache File With Content    ${file_cache_path}    ${cache}
+    ...    expiration=1970-01-01T00:00:00.000000
+
+    Run Test File With Robot    A05.robot
+
+    File Should Exist    ${file_cache_path}
+    ${contents} =    Get File    ${file_cache_path}
     Should Be Equal    ${contents}    \{\}
 
     [Teardown]    Remove File    ${file_cache_path}
 
+A06 Overwrites default expiration time during import
+    ${file_cache_path} =    Set Variable    robocache-A06.json
+
+    Run Test File With Robot    A06.robot
+
+    File Should Exist    ${file_cache_path}
+    ${contents} =    Get File    ${file_cache_path}
+    ${cache_content} =    Evaluate    json.loads('${contents}')    modules=json
+
+    ${expires_date} =    Set Variable    ${cache_content['foo']['expires']}
+    ${expires_date} =    DateTime.Convert Date    ${expires_date}
+    ${now} =    DateTime.Get Current Date
+    ${expires_in} =    DateTime.Subtract Date From Date    ${expires_date}    ${now}    result_format=number
+
+    Should Be True
+    ...    ${{ ${expires_in} > ${DEFAULT_EXPIRES_IN_SECONDS} }}
+    ...    msg=Expiration time should be greater than default expiration time | Expected ${expires_in} to be greater than ${DEFAULT_EXPIRES_IN_SECONDS}
+
+    [Teardown]    Remove File    ${file_cache_path}
+
+
 *** Keywords ***
 Create Cache File With Content
-    [Arguments]    ${file_name}    ${key_value_pairs}
-    ${future_date} =  Evaluate
-    ...  (datetime.datetime.now() + datetime.timedelta(days=1)).isoformat()
-    ...  modules=datetime
-
-    ${cache_entries} =  Create Dictionary
-    FOR    ${key}  ${value}    IN    &{key_value_pairs}
-        ${entry} =  Create Dictionary
+    [Arguments]    ${file_name}    ${key_value_pairs}    ${expiration}=${None}
+    IF    '${expiration}' == '${None}'
+        ${expiration} =    Evaluate
+        ...    (datetime.datetime.now() + datetime.timedelta(days=1)).isoformat()
+        ...    modules=datetime
+    END
+
+    ${cache_entries} =    Create Dictionary
+    FOR    ${key}    ${value}    IN    &{key_value_pairs}
+        ${entry} =    Create Dictionary
         ...    value=${value}
-        ...    expires=${future_date}
+        ...    expires=${expiration}
         Set To Dictionary    ${cache_entries}    ${key}=${entry}
     END
 
-    ${cache_file_content} =     Evaluate    json.dumps(${cache_entries})    modules=json
+    ${cache_file_content} =    Evaluate    json.dumps(${cache_entries})    modules=json
     Create File    ${file_name}    ${cache_file_content}
 
-
 Run Test File With Robot
     [Arguments]    ${path}
-    ${path} =  Normalize Path    ${CURDIR}/test/${path}
+    ${path} =    Normalize Path    ${CURDIR}/test/${path}
 
-    ${result} =  Run Process
+    ${result} =    Run Process
     ...    uv run robot --output NONE --log NONE --report NONE ${path}
     ...    shell=${True}
 
-    IF  ${result.rc} != 0
-        log  ${result.stdout}    level=WARN
-        log  ${result.stderr}    level=ERROR
+    IF    ${result.rc} != 0
+        log    ${result.stdout}    level=WARN
+        log    ${result.stderr}    level=ERROR
 
         Fail    Acceptance test failed. Details above.
     END
diff --git a/test/acceptance/test/A05.robot b/test/acceptance/test/A05.robot
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+*** Settings ***
+Library     CacheLibrary    robocache-A05.json
+
+
+*** Test Cases ***
+Fetches data from file
+    ${value} =    Cache Retrieve Value    expired_value
+    Should Be Equal    ${value}    ${None}
diff --git a/test/acceptance/test/A06.robot b/test/acceptance/test/A06.robot
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+*** Settings ***
+Library     CacheLibrary    robocache-A06.json    default_expire_in_seconds=86400
+
+
+*** Test Cases ***
+Fetches data from file
+    Cache Store Value    foo    bar