Computer-implemented methods and computer systems for automatically managing stored checkpoint data are described. The method includes accessing a first user defined time period. The first user defined time period is related to a plurality of stored checkpoint data, and each checkpoint data of the plurality of stored checkpoint data has an associated storage time. Further, the method includes identifying a first set of checkpoint data having storage times that are within the first user defined time period. Moreover, the method includes identifying a second set of checkpoint data having storage times that are older than the first user defined time period. In addition, the method includes pruning the second set of checkpoint data according to a user specified process in proportion to storage time of each checkpoint data of the second set of checkpoint data. The older stored checkpoint data is more heavily pruned over recent stored checkpoint data.