[role="xpack"]
[testenv="basic"]
[[snapshot-lifecycle-management]]
== {slm-init}: Manage the snapshot lifecycle

You can set up snapshot lifecycle policies to automate the timing, frequency, and retention of snapshots.
Snapshot policies can apply to multiple data streams and indices.

The {slm} ({slm-init}) <<snapshot-lifecycle-management-api, CRUD APIs>> provide
the building blocks for the snapshot policy features that are part of {kib} Management.
{kibana-ref}/snapshot-repositories.html[Snapshot and Restore] makes it easy to 
set up policies, register snapshot repositories, view and manage snapshots, and restore data streams or indices.

You can stop and restart {slm-init} to temporarily pause automatic backups while performing
upgrades or other maintenance.

include::getting-started-slm.asciidoc[]

include::slm-security.asciidoc[]

include::slm-retention.asciidoc[]