---
sort: 38
weight: 38
title: Grafana datasource
menu:
  docs:
    parent: victoriametrics
    weight: 38
aliases:
- /grafana-datasource.html"
---

# VictoriaMetrics datasource for Grafana
The [VictoriaMetrics](http://docs.victoriametrics.com/) datasource plugin allows you to query and visualize
data from VictoriaMetrics in Grafana.

* [Motivation](#motivation)
* [Installation](#installation)
* [How to use WITH templates](#how-to-use-with-templates)
* [How to make new release](#how-to-make-new-release)
* [Frequently Asked Questions](#faq)
* [License](#license)

## Motivation

Thanks to VictoriaMetrics compatibility with Prometheus API users can use
[Prometheus datasource](https://docs.victoriametrics.com/#grafana-setup) for Grafana to query data from VictoriaMetrics.
But with time, Prometheus and VictoriaMetrics diverge more and more. After some unexpected changes to Prometheus datasource
we decided to create a datasource plugin specifically for VictoriaMetrics.
The benefits of using VictoriaMetrics plugin are the following:

* [MetricsQL](https://docs.victoriametrics.com/MetricsQL.html) functions support;
* Supports [query tracing](https://docs.victoriametrics.com/Single-server-VictoriaMetrics.html#query-tracing) in Explore mode or right in panel's expressions;
* Supports [WITH expressions](https://github.com/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource#how-to-use-with-templates);
* Plugin fixes [label names validation](https://github.com/grafana/grafana/issues/42615) issue;
* Integration with [vmui](https://docs.victoriametrics.com/#vmui).

## Installation

Installing VictoriaMetrics Grafana datasource [requires](https://grafana.com/docs/grafana/latest/setup-grafana/configure-grafana/#allow_loading_unsigned_plugins)
the following changes to Grafana's `grafana.ini` config:
``` ini
[plugins]
allow_loading_unsigned_plugins = victoriametrics-datasource
```

For `grafana-operator` users, please adjust `config:` section in your `kind=Grafana` resource as below

```
  config:
    plugins:
      allow_loading_unsigned_plugins: "victoriametrics-datasource"
```

See [why VictoriaMetrics datasource is unsigned](#why-victoriaMetrics-datasource-is-unsigned).

For detailed instructions on how to install the plugin on Grafana Cloud or
locally, please checkout the [Plugin installation docs](https://grafana.com/docs/grafana/latest/plugins/installation/).

### Grafana Provisioning

Provision of Grafana plugin requires to create
[datasource config file](http://docs.grafana.org/administration/provisioning/#datasources).

Example of config file for provisioning VictoriaMetrics datasource is the following:

```yaml
apiVersion: 1

# List of data sources to insert/update depending on what's
# available in the database.
datasources:
   # <string, required> Name of the VictoriaMetrics datasource
   # displayed in Grafana panels and queries.
   - name: VictoriaMetrics
      # <string, required> Sets the data source type.
     type: victoriametrics-datasource
      # <string, required> Sets the access mode, either
      # proxy or direct (Server or Browser in the UI).
      # Some data sources are incompatible with any setting
      # but proxy (Server).
     access: proxy
     # <string> Sets default URL of the single node version of VictoriaMetrics
     url: http://victoriametrics:8428
     # <string> Sets the pre-selected datasource for new panels.
     # You can set only one default data source per organization.
     isDefault: true

     # <string, required> Name of the VictoriaMetrics datasource
     # displayed in Grafana panels and queries.
   - name: VictoriaMetrics - cluster
     # <string, required> Sets the data source type.
     type: victoriametrics-datasource
     # <string, required> Sets the access mode, either
     # proxy or direct (Server or Browser in the UI).
     # Some data sources are incompatible with any setting
     # but proxy (Server).
     access: proxy
     # <string> Sets default URL of the cluster version of VictoriaMetrics
     url: http://vmselect:8481/select/0/prometheus
     # <string> Sets the pre-selected datasource for new panels.
     # You can set only one default data source per organization.
     isDefault: false
```

Please find the example of provisioning Grafana instance with VictoriaMetrics datasource below:

1. Create folder `./provisioning/datasource` with datasource example file:

1. Download the latest release:
   
   ```bash
   ver=$(curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/releases/latest | grep -oE 'v[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+' | head -1)
   curl -L https://github.com/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/releases/download/$ver/victoriametrics-datasource-$ver.tar.gz -o plugin.tar.gz
   tar -xf plugin.tar.gz -C ./victoriametrics-datasource
   rm plugin.tar.gz
   ```

1. Define Grafana installation via docker-compose:
   
   ```yaml
     version: '3.0'
     services:
        grafana:
           container_name: 'grafana-datasource'
           build:
              context: ./.config
              args:
                 grafana_version: ${GRAFANA_VERSION:-9.1.2}
           ports:
              - 3000:3000/tcp
           volumes:
              - ./victoriametrics-datasource:/var/lib/grafana/plugins/grafana-datasource
              - ./provisioning:/etc/grafana/provisioning
   ```

1. Run docker-compose file:

```
docker-compose -f docker-compose.yaml up
```

When Grafana starts successfully datasources should be present on the datasources tab

<p>
  <img src="grafana-datasource_provision_datasources.webp" width="800" alt="Configuration">
</p>

### Install in Kubernetes

#### Grafana helm chart

Example with Grafana [helm chart](https://github.com/grafana/helm-charts/blob/main/charts/grafana/README.md):

``` yaml
extraInitContainers:
  - name: "load-vm-ds-plugin"
    image: "curlimages/curl:7.85.0"
    command: [ "/bin/sh" ]
    workingDir: "/var/lib/grafana"
    securityContext:
      runAsUser: 472
      runAsNonRoot: true
      runAsGroup: 472
    args:
     - "-c"
     - |
       set -ex
       mkdir -p /var/lib/grafana/plugins/
       ver=$(curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/releases/latest | grep -oE 'v[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+' | head -1)
       curl -L https://github.com/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/releases/download/$ver/victoriametrics-datasource-$ver.tar.gz -o /var/lib/grafana/plugins/plugin.tar.gz
       tar -xf /var/lib/grafana/plugins/plugin.tar.gz -C /var/lib/grafana/plugins/
       rm /var/lib/grafana/plugins/plugin.tar.gz
    volumeMounts:
      # For grafana-operator users, change `name: storage` to `name: grafana-data`
      - name: storage
        mountPath: /var/lib/grafana
```

For `grafana-operator` users, the above configuration should be done for the part
`/spec/deployment/spec/template/spec/initContainers` of your `kind=Grafana` resource.

This example uses init container to download and install plugin. To allow Grafana using this container as a sidecar
set the following config:
```yaml
sidecar:
  datasources:
    initDatasources: true
    enabled: true
```
See more about chart settings [here](https://github.com/grafana/helm-charts/blob/541d97051de87a309362e02d08741ffc868cfcd6/charts/grafana/values.yaml)

Another option would be to build custom Grafana image with plugin based on same installation instructions.

#### Grafana operator

Example with Grafana [operator](https://github.com/grafana-operator/grafana-operator):

```yaml
apiVersion: grafana.integreatly.org/v1beta1
kind: Grafana
metadata:
  name: grafana-vm
spec:
  persistentVolumeClaim:
    spec:
      accessModes:
        - ReadWriteOnce
      resources:
        requests:
          storage: 200Mi
  deployment:
    spec:
      template:
        spec:
          initContainers:
            - name: "load-vm-ds-plugin"
              image: "curlimages/curl:7.85.0"
              command: [ "/bin/sh" ]
              workingDir: "/var/lib/grafana"
              securityContext:
                runAsUser: 10001
                runAsNonRoot: true
                runAsGroup: 10001
              args:
                - "-c"
                - |
                  set -ex
                  mkdir -p /var/lib/grafana/plugins/
                  ver=$(curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/releases/latest | grep -oE 'v[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+' | head -1)
                  curl -L https://github.com/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/releases/download/$ver/victoriametrics-datasource-$ver.tar.gz -o /var/lib/grafana/plugins/plugin.tar.gz
                  tar -xf /var/lib/grafana/plugins/plugin.tar.gz -C /var/lib/grafana/plugins/
                  rm /var/lib/grafana/plugins/plugin.tar.gz
              volumeMounts:
                - name: grafana-data
                  mountPath: /var/lib/grafana
  config:
    plugins:
      allow_loading_unsigned_plugins: victoriametrics-datasource
```

See [Grafana operator reference](https://grafana.github.io/grafana-operator/docs/grafana/) to find more about
Grafana operator.
This example uses init container to download and install plugin.

### Dev release installation


1. To download plugin build and move contents into Grafana plugins directory:
   
   ```bash
   ver=$(curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/releases/latest | grep -oE 'v[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+' | head -1)
   curl -L https://github.com/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/releases/download/$ver/victoriametrics-datasource-$ver.tar.gz -o /var/lib/grafana/plugins/plugin.tar.gz
   tar -xf /var/lib/grafana/plugins/plugin.tar.gz -C /var/lib/grafana/plugins/
   rm /var/lib/grafana/plugins/plugin.tar.gz
   ```

1. Restart Grafana


## Getting started development

### 1. Configure Grafana
Installing dev version of Grafana plugin requires to change `grafana.ini` config to allow loading unsigned plugins:

{% raw %}
``` ini
# Directory where Grafana will automatically scan and look for plugins
plugins = {{path to directory with plugin}}
```
{% endraw %}

``` ini
[plugins]
allow_loading_unsigned_plugins = victoriametrics-datasource
```

### 2. Run the plugin
In the project directory, you can run:
```
# install dependencies
yarn install

# run the app in the development mode
yarn dev

# build the plugin for production to the `dist` folder and zip build
yarn build:zip
```

### 3. How to build backend plugin

From the root folder of the project run the following command:
```
make victoriametrics-backend-plugin-build
```
This command will build executable multi-platform files to the `dist` folder for the following platforms:
* linux/amd64
* linux/arm64
* linux/arm
* linux/386
* amd64
* arm64
* windows

### 4.How to build frontend plugin
From the root folder of the project run the following command:
```
make victorimetrics-frontend-plugin-build
```
This command will build all frontend app into `dist` folder.

### 5. How to build frontend and backend parts of the plugin:
When frontend and backend parts of the plugin is required, run the following command from
the root folder of the project:
```
make victoriametrics-datasource-plugin-build
```
This command will build frontend part and backend part or the plugin and locate both
parts into `dist` folder.

## How to use WITH templates

The `WITH` templates feature simplifies the construction and management of complex queries.
You can try this feature in the [WITH templates playground](https://play.victoriametrics.com/select/accounting/1/6a716b0f-38bc-4856-90ce-448fd713e3fe/expand-with-exprs).

The "WITH templates" section allows you to create expressions with templates that can be used in dashboards.

WITH expressions are stored in the datasource object. If the dashboard gets exported, the associated WITH templates will not be included in the resulting JSON (due to technical limitations) and need to be migrated separately.

### Defining WITH Expressions

1. Navigate to the dashboard where you want to add a template.<br/>
   *Note: templates are available within the dashboard scope.*
1. Click the `WITH templates` button.
1. Enter the expression in the input field. Once done, press the `Save` button to apply the changes. For example:
   ```
   commonFilters = {instance=~"$node:$port",job=~"$job"},

   # `cpuCount` is the number of CPUs on the node
   cpuCount = count(count(node_cpu_seconds_total{commonFilters}) by (cpu)),

   # `cpuIdle` is the sum of idle CPU cores
   cpuIdle = sum(rate(node_cpu_seconds_total{mode='idle',commonFilters}[5m]))
   ```

   You can specify a comment before the variable and use markdown in it. The comment will be displayed as a hint during auto-completion. The comment can span multiple lines.

### Using WITH Expressions

After saving the template, you can enter it into the query editor field:
```
((cpuCount - cpuIdle) * 100) / cpuCount
```

Thus, the entire query will look as follows:
 
```
WITH (
 commonFilters = {instance=~"$node:$port",job=~"$job"},
 cpuCount = count(count(node_cpu_seconds_total{commonFilters}) by (cpu)),
 cpuIdle = sum(rate(node_cpu_seconds_total{mode='idle',commonFilters}[5m]))
)
((cpuCount - cpuIdle) * 100) / cpuCount
```
To view the raw query in the interface, enable the `Raw` toggle.

## How to make new release

1. Make sure there are no open security issues.
1. Create a release tag:
   * `git tag -s v1.xx.y` in `master` branch
1. Run `TAG=v1.xx.y make build-release` to build and package binaries in `*.tar.gz` release archives.
1. Run `git push origin v1.xx.y` to push the tag created `v1.xx.y` at step 2 to public GitHub repository
1. Go to <https://github.com/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/releases> and verify that draft release with the name `TAG` has been created
   and this release contains all the needed binaries and checksums.
1. Remove the `draft` checkbox for the `TAG` release and manually publish it.


## FAQ

### Why VictoriaMetrics datasource is unsigned?

Based on our previous experience of [developing Grafana plugins](https://grafana.com/grafana/plugins/vertamedia-clickhouse-datasource/)
the signing procedure was a formal act. But when we tried [to sign the plugin](https://grafana.com/docs/grafana/latest/developers/plugins/publish-a-plugin/sign-a-plugin/)
we were told by GrafanaLabs representative the plugin falls into a Commercial signature level. It matters not
if plugin or VictoriaMetrics itself are opensource. The announced cost of Commercial signature level was much higher
than expected, so we interrupted the procedure.

### How to convert dashboard from Prometheus to VictoriaMetrics datasource?

Make sure that VictoriaMetrics datasource plugin is [installed](#installation), and a new datasource is created from the plugin.

Each panel in Grafana dashboard has a datasource dropdown when in Edit mode. Just choose the VictoriaMetrics datasource
instead of Prometheus datasource in dropdown.

If datasource is configured via Grafana variable, then change variable to VictoriaMetrics datasource type.

### Why VictoriaMetrics datasource doesn't support alerting?

Grafana doesn't allow forwarding Alert requests to alerting API /api/v1/rules for plugins which are not of Prometheus
or Loki type. See more details [here](https://github.com/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/issues/59#issuecomment-1541456768).


## License

This project is licensed under the [AGPL-3.0-only](https://github.com/VictoriaMetrics/grafana-datasource/blob/main/LICENSE).