# CreateRule
<a name="API_CreateRule"></a>

 **[Custom snapshot and AMI policies only]** Specifies when the policy should create snapshots or AMIs.

**Note**  
You must specify either **CronExpression**, or **Interval**, **IntervalUnit**, and **Times**.
If you need to specify an [ArchiveRule](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/dlm/latest/APIReference/API_ArchiveRule.html) for the schedule, then you must specify a creation frequency of at least 28 days.

## Contents
<a name="API_CreateRule_Contents"></a>

 ** CronExpression **   <a name="dlm-Type-CreateRule-CronExpression"></a>
The schedule, as a Cron expression. The schedule interval must be between 1 hour and 1 year. For more information, see the [Cron and rate expressions](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/eventbridge/latest/userguide/eb-scheduled-rule-pattern.html) in the *Amazon EventBridge User Guide*.  
Type: String  
Length Constraints: Minimum length of 17. Maximum length of 106.  
Pattern: `cron\([^\n]{11,100}\)`   
Required: No

 ** Interval **   <a name="dlm-Type-CreateRule-Interval"></a>
The interval between snapshots. The supported values are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24.  
Type: Integer  
Valid Range: Minimum value of 1.  
Required: No

 ** IntervalUnit **   <a name="dlm-Type-CreateRule-IntervalUnit"></a>
The interval unit.  
Type: String  
Valid Values: `HOURS`   
Required: No

 ** Location **   <a name="dlm-Type-CreateRule-Location"></a>
 **[Custom snapshot policies only]** Specifies the destination for snapshots created by the policy. The allowed destinations depend on the location of the targeted resources.  
+ If the policy targets resources in a Region, then you must create snapshots in the same Region as the source resource.
+ If the policy targets resources in a Local Zone, you can create snapshots in the same Local Zone or in its parent Region.
+ If the policy targets resources on an Outpost, then you can create snapshots on the same Outpost or in its parent Region.
Specify one of the following values:  
+ To create snapshots in the same Region as the source resource, specify `CLOUD`.
+ To create snapshots in the same Local Zone as the source resource, specify `LOCAL_ZONE`.
+ To create snapshots on the same Outpost as the source resource, specify `OUTPOST_LOCAL`.
Default: `CLOUD`   
Type: String  
Valid Values: `CLOUD | OUTPOST_LOCAL | LOCAL_ZONE`   
Required: No

 ** Scripts **   <a name="dlm-Type-CreateRule-Scripts"></a>
 **[Custom snapshot policies that target instances only]** Specifies pre and/or post scripts for a snapshot lifecycle policy that targets instances. This is useful for creating application-consistent snapshots, or for performing specific administrative tasks before or after Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager initiates snapshot creation.  
For more information, see [Automating application-consistent snapshots with pre and post scripts](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/automate-app-consistent-backups.html).  
Type: Array of [Script](API_Script.md) objects  
Array Members: Minimum number of 0 items. Maximum number of 1 item.  
Required: No

 ** Times **   <a name="dlm-Type-CreateRule-Times"></a>
The time, in UTC, to start the operation. The supported format is hh:mm.  
The operation occurs within a one-hour window following the specified time. If you do not specify a time, Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager selects a time within the next 24 hours.  
Type: Array of strings  
Array Members: Maximum number of 1 item.  
Length Constraints: Fixed length of 5.  
Pattern: `^(0[0-9]|1[0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]$`   
Required: No

## See Also
<a name="API_CreateRule_SeeAlso"></a>

For more information about using this API in one of the language-specific AWS SDKs, see the following:
+  [AWS SDK for C\$1\$1](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForCpp/dlm-2018-01-12/CreateRule) 
+  [AWS SDK for Java V2](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForJavaV2/dlm-2018-01-12/CreateRule) 
+  [AWS SDK for Ruby V3](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForRubyV3/dlm-2018-01-12/CreateRule)