[role="xpack"]
[testenv="basic"]
[[slm-api-execute-retention]]
=== Execute snapshot retention policy API
++++
<titleabbrev>Execute snapshot retention policy</titleabbrev>
++++

Deletes any snapshots that are expired according to the policy's retention rules.

[[slm-api-execute-retention-request]]
==== {api-request-title}

`POST /_slm/_execute_retention`

[[slm-api-execute-retention-prereqs]]
==== {api-prereq-title}

If the {es} {security-features} are enabled, you must have the `manage_slm`
cluster privilege to use this API. For more information, see
<<security-privileges>>.

[[slm-api-execute-retention-desc]]
==== {api-description-title}

Manually applies the retention policy to force immediate removal of expired snapshots. 
The retention policy is normally applied according to its schedule.

[[slm-api-execute-retention-example]]
==== {api-examples-title}

To force removal of expired snapshots:

[source,console]
--------------------------------------------------
POST /_slm/_execute_retention
--------------------------------------------------

Retention runs asynchronously in the background.
