diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4aa9cc5..d8ee436 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -82,7 +82,9 @@ $ git clone https://github.com/borgbase/ansible-role-borgbackup.git roles/ansibl
 - `borgmatic_cron_checks_day`: Day when cron job for infrequent checks will run. Defaults to `{{ 28 | random }}`
 - `borgmatic_cron_checks_hour`: Hour when cron job for infrequent checks will run. Defaults to `{{ range(7, 24) | random }}`
 - `borgmatic_cron_checks_minute`: Minute when cron job for infrequent checks will run. Defaults to  `{{ 59 | random }}`
-
+- `borg_archive_name_format`: The format for the archive name, e.g. `{hostname}-{now:%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.%f}`. Defaults to `{hostname}-{now}`
+- `borg_prune_prefix`: The prefix used to select archives to prune. Defaults to `{hostname}-`
+- `borg_check_prefix`: The prefix used to select archives to check for consistency. Defaults to `{hostname}-`
 
 ### Optional Arguments for [BorgBase.com](https://www.borgbase.com) repository auto creation
 This role can also set up a new repository on BorgBase, using the arguments below. Thanks to [Philipp Rintz](https://github.com/p-rintz) for contribution of this feature.
diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index c3969b9..55ac7da 100755
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -43,3 +43,7 @@ borgmatic_cron_minute: "{{ 59 | random(seed=inventory_hostname) }}"
 borgmatic_cron_checks_day: "{{ range(1, 28) | random(seed=inventory_hostname) }}"
 borgmatic_cron_checks_hour: "{{ range(9, 24) | random(seed=inventory_hostname) }}"
 borgmatic_cron_checks_minute: "{{ 59 | random(seed=inventory_hostname) }}"
+# the following are optional and defined by the user as needed
+# borg_archive_name_format: '{hostname}-{now}'
+# borg_prune_prefix: '{hostname}-'
+# borg_check_prefix: '{hostname}-'
diff --git a/templates/config.yaml.j2 b/templates/config.yaml.j2
index 60c44a7..ca3d3dc 100644
--- a/templates/config.yaml.j2
+++ b/templates/config.yaml.j2
@@ -96,6 +96,8 @@ storage:
     # prefix in the consistency section as well.
 {% if borg_archive_name_format is defined %}
     archive_name_format: '{{ borg_archive_name_format | replace("'", "") }}'
+{% elif borg_prune_prefix is defined %}
+    archive_name_format: '{{ borg_prune_prefix | replace("'", "") }}-{now}'
 {% else %}
     archive_name_format: '{hostname}-{now:%Y-%m-%d-%H%M%S}'
 {% endif %}
@@ -145,7 +147,12 @@ retention:
     # When pruning, only consider archive names starting with this prefix.
     # Borg placeholders can be used. See the output of "borg help placeholders" for
     # details. Default is "{hostname}-".
+{% if borg_prune_prefix is defined %}
+    prefix: '{{ borg_prune_prefix | replace("'", "") }}'
+{% else %}
+{{ ('No custom archive name format provided.' if borg_archive_name_format is defined) | mandatory('Custom value for borg_archive_name_format was specified without providing the matching prune prefix. Please specify borg_prune_prefix as well.') }}
     prefix: '{hostname}-'
+{% endif %}
 
 # Consistency checks to run after backups. See
 # https://borgbackup.readthedocs.org/en/stable/usage.html#borg-check and
@@ -170,7 +177,14 @@ consistency:
     # When performing the "archives" check, only consider archive names starting with
     # this prefix. Borg placeholders can be used. See the output of
     # "borg help placeholders" for details. Default is "{hostname}-".
+{% if borg_check_prefix is defined %}
+    prefix: '{{ borg_check_prefix | replace("'", "") }}'
+{% elif borg_prune_prefix is defined %}
+    prefix: '{{ borg_prune_prefix | replace("'", "") }}'
+{% else %}
+{{ ('No custom archive name format provided.' if borg_archive_name_format is defined) | mandatory('Custom value for borg_archive_name_format was specified without providing the matching consistency check prefix. Please specify borg_check_prefix as well.') }}
     prefix: '{hostname}-'
+{% endif %}
 
 # Shell commands or scripts to execute before and after a backup or if an error has occurred.
 # IMPORTANT: All provided commands and scripts are executed with user permissions of borgmatic.