This is the new *CloudFormation Template Reference Guide*. Please update your bookmarks and links. For help getting started with CloudFormation, see the [AWS CloudFormation User Guide](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/Welcome.html).
# AWS::DLM::LifecyclePolicy CreateRule
**[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.
## Syntax
To declare this entity in your CloudFormation template, use the following syntax:
### JSON
```
{
"[CronExpression](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-cronexpression)" : String,
"[Interval](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-interval)" : Integer,
"[IntervalUnit](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-intervalunit)" : String,
"[Location](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-location)" : String,
"[Scripts](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-scripts)" : [ Script, ... ],
"[Times](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-times)" : [ String, ... ]
}
```
### YAML
```
[CronExpression](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-cronexpression): String
[Interval](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-interval): Integer
[IntervalUnit](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-intervalunit): String
[Location](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-location): String
[Scripts](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-scripts):
- Script
[Times](#cfn-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-createrule-times):
- String
```
## Properties
`CronExpression`
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*.
*Required*: No
*Type*: String
*Pattern*: `cron\([^\n]{11,100}\)`
*Minimum*: `17`
*Maximum*: `106`
*Update requires*: [No interruption](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/using-cfn-updating-stacks-update-behaviors.html#update-no-interrupt)
`Interval`
The interval between snapshots. The supported values are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24.
*Required*: No
*Type*: Integer
*Minimum*: `1`
*Update requires*: [No interruption](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/using-cfn-updating-stacks-update-behaviors.html#update-no-interrupt)
`IntervalUnit`
The interval unit.
*Required*: No
*Type*: String
*Allowed values*: `HOURS`
*Update requires*: [No interruption](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/using-cfn-updating-stacks-update-behaviors.html#update-no-interrupt)
`Location`
**[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`
*Required*: No
*Type*: String
*Allowed values*: `CLOUD | OUTPOST_LOCAL | LOCAL_ZONE`
*Update requires*: [No interruption](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/using-cfn-updating-stacks-update-behaviors.html#update-no-interrupt)
`Scripts`
**[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).
*Required*: No
*Type*: Array of [Script](aws-properties-dlm-lifecyclepolicy-script.md)
*Minimum*: `0`
*Maximum*: `1`
*Update requires*: [No interruption](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/using-cfn-updating-stacks-update-behaviors.html#update-no-interrupt)
`Times`
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.
*Required*: No
*Type*: Array of String
*Maximum*: `1`
*Update requires*: [No interruption](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/using-cfn-updating-stacks-update-behaviors.html#update-no-interrupt)