How caching works
Steep uses a caching layer to improve query performance and reduce load on your data warehouse. When a query runs, Steep stores the result set in cache. The next time someone runs the same query, results are served instantly from cache instead of hitting the warehouse again.
Cache entries expire after a set time (time-to-live). Once expired, Steep automatically refreshes the cache with a fresh result from your warehouse.
Benefits of caching
- Faster performance for reports and explorations
- Lower warehouse compute usage and cost
Clearing cache
Sometimes you want to force a fresh result from the warehouse. Admins can clear cache manually:
- Metrics: Go to the About tab of a metric and click Clear cache.
- Entities: Open the entity, click the ⋮ menu in the top right, and select Clear cache.
Clearing cache is available on all plans (Pro, Business, Enterprise).
Workspace-level caching
By default, all workspaces use a 4-hour cache time.
Admins on Business and Enterprise plans can adjust this setting:
- Go to Settings > Workspace.
- Under Cache, choose a default cache time.
This setting applies to all metrics and entities unless they are explicitly given their own cache duration.
Metric & entity-level caching
On Business and Enterprise plans, you can customize caching for individual metrics and entities.
- Metrics: When editing a metric under Advance settings you can select the cache time.
- Entities: When editing an entity, Advance settings you can select the cache time
This lets you tune cache duration to how often your data updates. For example:
- Data refreshed daily → set cache to 8 hours
- Data updated frequently → set cache to 15 minutes