`leader_alias` | The name of the leader cluster. This alias is the same as the remote cluster name used to set up a cross-cluster connection. | `string` | Yes
`leader_index` | The index on the leader cluster that you want to replicate. | `string` | Yes
`use_roles` | The roles to use for all subsequent backend replication tasks between the indices. Specify a `leader_cluster_role` and `follower_cluster_role`. See [Map the leader and follower cluster roles]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/replication-plugin/permissions/#map-the-leader-and-follower-cluster-roles). | `string` | If security plugin is enabled
Gets the status of index replication. Possible statuses are `SYNCING`, `BOOTSTRAPING`, `PAUSED`, and `REPLICATION NOT IN PROGRESS`. Use the syncing details to measure replication lag. Send this request to the follower cluster.
Automatically starts replication on indices matching a specified pattern. If a new index on the leader cluster matches the pattern, OpenSearch automatically creates a follower index and begins replication. You can also use this API to update existing replication rules.
Make sure to note the names of all auto-follow patterns after you create them. The replication plugin currently does not include an API operation to retrieve a list of existing patterns.
{: .tip }
#### Request
```json
POST /_plugins/_replication/_autofollow
{
"leader_alias" : "<leader-cluster-name>",
"name": "<auto-follow-pattern-name>",
"pattern": "<pattern>",
"use_roles":{
"leader_cluster_role": "<role-name>",
"follower_cluster_role": "<role-name>"
}
}
```
Specify the following options:
Options | Description | Type | Required
:--- | :--- |:--- |:--- |
`leader_alias` | The name of the remote cluster to associate the pattern with. | `string` | Yes
`name` | A name for the auto-follow pattern. | `string` | Yes
`pattern` | An array of index patterns to match against indices in the specified leader cluster. Supports wildcard characters. For example, `leader-*`. | `string` | Yes
`use_roles` | The roles to use for all subsequent backend replication tasks between the indices. Specify a `leader_cluster_role` and `follower_cluster_role`. See [Map the leader and follower cluster roles]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/replication-plugin/permissions/#map-the-leader-and-follower-cluster-roles). | `string` | If security plugin is enabled
#### Sample response
```json
{
"acknowledged": true
}
```
## Delete replication rule
Introduced 1.1
{: .label .label-purple }
Deletes the specified replication rule. This operation prevents any new indices from being replicated but does not stop existing replication that the rule has already initiated.