---
type: api
title: Delete a policy
description: Delete a snapshot lifecycle policy definition.
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4493/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/operation/operation-slm-delete-lifecycle
resource: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4493/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/operation/operation-slm-delete-lifecycle
products:
  - Elasticsearch
---

# Delete a policy

Availability: Generally available since 7.4

## Paths

- `DELETE` `/_slm/policy/{policy_id}`

#### Path parameters

- `policy_id` (string) — required
  The id of the snapshot lifecycle policy to remove

## Description

Delete a snapshot lifecycle policy definition.
This operation prevents any future snapshots from being taken but does not cancel in-progress snapshots or remove previously-taken snapshots.

## Required authorization

- Cluster privileges: `manage_slm`

## Authentication

- Api key: `Authorization: <value>`
  Elasticsearch APIs support key-based authentication.
  You must create an API key and use the encoded value in the request header.
  For example:
  
  
  ```
  curl -X GET "${ES_URL}/_cat/indices?v=true" \
    -H "Authorization: ApiKey ${API_KEY}"
  ```
  
  To get API keys, use the `/_security/api_key` APIs.
- Basic: `Authorization: Basic <credentials>`
- Bearer: `Authorization: Bearer <token>`
  Elasticsearch APIs support the use of bearer tokens in the `Authorization` HTTP header to authenticate with the API.
  For examples, refer to [Token-based authentication services](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/token-authentication-services.html)

## Query string parameters

- `master_timeout` (string · default: 30s) — optional
  The period to wait for a connection to the master node.
If no response is received before the timeout expires, the request fails and returns an error.
- `timeout` (string · default: 30s) — optional
  The period to wait for a response.
If no response is received before the timeout expires, the request fails and returns an error.

## Response

`application/json`

- `acknowledged` (boolean)
  For a successful response, this value is always true. On failure, an exception is returned instead.
## Code examples

#### Console

```console
DELETE /_slm/policy/daily-snapshots
```

#### JavaScript

```javascript
const response = await client.slm.deleteLifecycle({
  policy_id: "daily-snapshots",
});
```

#### Python

```python
resp = client.slm.delete_lifecycle(
    policy_id="daily-snapshots",
)
```

#### curl

```curl
curl -X DELETE "$ELASTICSEARCH_URL/_slm/policy/daily-snapshots" \
  -H "Authorization: ApiKey $ELASTIC_API_KEY"
```

#### Java

```java
client.slm().deleteLifecycle(d -> d
    .policyId("daily-snapshots")
);
```

#### C#

```c#
var response = await client.SnapshotLifecycleManagement.DeleteLifecycleAsync(policyId: "daily-snapshots");
```

#### PHP

```php
$resp = $client->slm()->deleteLifecycle([
    "policy_id" => "daily-snapshots",
]);
```

#### Ruby

```ruby
response = client.slm.delete_lifecycle(
  policy_id: "daily-snapshots"
)
```