# Curator

> tool to tend Elasticsearch indices

**Wikidata**: [Q105097049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105097049)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/curator-q105097049

## Summary
Curator is an open-source software tool designed to tend Elasticsearch indices. Distributed under the Apache Software License 2.0, it provides users with a free and permissive way to manage and maintain their Elasticsearch data infrastructure.

## Key Facts
- **Primary Function:** A tool used to tend (manage/curate) Elasticsearch indices.
- **Software Class:** It is classified as open-source software and is a subclass of source-available software.
- **License:** Distributed under the Apache Software License 2.0.
- **Aliases:** Also known as "elasticsearch curator" and "elastic search curator."
- **Source Repository:** Hosted at `https://github.com/elastic/curator`.
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted.
- **Development Timeline:** Active development spanning from initial release in February 2014 to version 9.0.0 in October 2025.
- **Latest Stable Version:** Version 9.0.0 (released October 3, 2025).

## FAQs
**What is Curator used for?**
Curator is a utility designed specifically to "tend" Elasticsearch indices. It is used to manage the lifecycle and maintenance of indices within an Elasticsearch cluster.

**Is Curator free to use?**
Yes, Curator is open-source software released under the Apache Software License 2.0. This provides a permissive license that allows users to freely use and redistribute the software in its current state, granting libre access to its original source code.

**Where can the source code for Curator be found?**
The source code is maintained in a repository located at `https://github.com/elastic/curator`.

**What is the difference between open-source software like Curator and proprietary software?**
Open-source software like Curator provides libre access to its original source code and allows for free use and redistribution under a permissive license. This stands in contrast to proprietary software, which typically restricts access to the source code and limits how the software can be used or shared.

## Why It Matters
Curator addresses a critical need in data infrastructure management by providing a specialized tool for tending Elasticsearch indices. By automating and simplifying index management, it helps administrators maintain the health and efficiency of their search and analytics engines. As an instance of open-source software, Curator embodies the principles of collaboration and transparency; it lowers the barrier to entry for organizations by providing a powerful, free tool that does not carry the restrictions of proprietary alternatives. Its ongoing development, evidenced by a long history of releases extending into 2025, underscores its sustained relevance and importance to the open-source and data management communities.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Utility:** It is a distinct tool specifically created to tend Elasticsearch indices, setting it apart from general database management tools.
- **Extensive Release History:** The software has a documented release cycle spanning over a decade (2014–2025), showing long-term maintenance and evolution.
- **Open Source Identity:** It is explicitly classified as open-source software, representing the concepts of free redistribution and source code accessibility.
- **Rapid Versioning:** The project has seen multiple major version increments (from v1.0.0 to v9.0.0), indicating an agile development approach and frequent feature updates.

## Body

### Definition and Core Function
Curator is a software tool defined by its primary function to "tend Elasticsearch indices." It serves as a management utility for Elasticsearch, a distributed search and analytics engine. The tool allows users to perform maintenance and administrative tasks on indices, ensuring the underlying data structures remain optimized and manageable. It is categorized as a specific instance of "open-source software," meaning it is freely available for use and redistribution.

### Software Classification and Licensing
As an instance of open-source software, Curator falls under the broader taxonomy of source-available software, freely redistributable software, and open content. It operates in direct contrast to proprietary software by offering libre access to its original source code.

The software is released under the **Apache Software License 2.0**. While the software is "copyrighted," this license grants users permissive rights to use and redistribute the software in its current state. This aligns with the core principles of open-source software, which prioritize free access and transparent licensing over the restrictive models typical of proprietary solutions.

### Development and Version History
The development of Curator is characterized by a dense and active release schedule, documented extensively from early 2014 through late 2025.

#### Initial Development (2014)
The project's earliest recorded releases in the provided data are **version 0.6.0** and **0.6.1**, both published on **February 8, 2014**. Development was rapid in its first year, progressing through the 0.6.x series to **1.0.0** (released **March 25, 2014**) and reaching **2.0.0** by **September 25, 2014**.

#### Maturation (2015–2017)
In 2015, the project progressed through versions 3.0.1 (March 2015) to 3.4.1 (February 2016). The software continued to evolve with the 4.x series, launching with **4.0.0** on **June 24, 2016**, and continuing with frequent patches through 2017. The **5.0.0** milestone was reached on **April 5, 2017**, followed by minor updates throughout that year.

#### Modernization (2018–2025)
Development continued steadily with the 5.x series through 2018 and 2019 (e.g., v5.8.0 in September 2019). A significant jump occurred in early 2023 with the simultaneous release of **6.0.0** and **7.0.0** on **January 31, 2023**. This was followed immediately by **8.0.0** on **February 1, 2023**.

The 8.x series received extensive updates throughout 2023 and 2024. The most recent stable release recorded is **version 9.0.0**, which was released on **October 3, 2025**.

### Technical Properties and Identifiers
- **Aliases:** The tool is also referred to as "elasticsearch curator" and "elastic search curator."
- **Repository:** The canonical source code repository is hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/elastic/curator`.
- **Wikidata Description:** The entity is described in Wikidata as a "tool to tend Elasticsearch indices."

## References

1. [Release 0.6.0. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v0.6.0)
2. [Release 0.6.1. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v0.6.1)
3. [Release 0.6.2. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v0.6.2)
4. [Release 1.0.0. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v1.0.0)
5. [Release 1.1.0. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v1.1.0)
6. [Release 1.1.2. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v1.1.2)
7. [Release 1.1.3. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v1.1.3)
8. [Release 1.2.0. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v1.2.0)
9. [Release 1.2.1. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v1.2.1)
10. [Release 1.2.2. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v1.2.2)
11. [Release 2.0.0. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v2.0.0)
12. [Release 2.0.1. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v2.0.1)
13. [Release 2.0.2. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v2.0.2)
14. [Release 2.1.0. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v2.1.0)
15. [Release 2.1.1. 2014](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v2.1.1)
16. [Release 2.1.2. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v2.1.2)
17. [Release 3.0.1. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.0.1)
18. [Release 3.0.2. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.0.2)
19. [Release 3.0.3. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.0.3)
20. [Release 3.1.0. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.1.0)
21. [Release 3.2.0. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.2.0)
22. [Release 3.2.1. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.2.1)
23. [Release 3.2.2. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.2.2)
24. [Release 3.2.3. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.2.3)
25. [Release 3.3.0. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.3.0)
26. [Release 3.4.0. 2015](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.4.0)
27. [Release 3.4.1. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v3.4.1)
28. [Release 4.0.0. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.0.0)
29. [Release 4.0.1. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.0.1)
30. [Release 4.0.2. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.0.2)
31. [Release 4.0.3. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.0.3)
32. [Release 4.0.4. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.0.4)
33. [Release 4.0.5. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.0.5)
34. [Release 4.0.6. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.0.6)
35. [Release 4.1.0. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.1.0)
36. [Release 4.1.1. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.1.1)
37. [Release 4.1.2. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.1.2)
38. [Release 4.2.0. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.2.0)
39. [Release 4.2.1. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.2.1)
40. [Release 4.2.3. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.2.3)
41. [Release 4.2.4. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.2.4)
42. [Release 4.2.5. 2016](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.2.5)
43. [Release 4.2.6. 2017](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.2.6)
44. [Release 4.3.0. 2017](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.3.0)
45. [Release 4.3.1. 2017](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v4.3.1)
46. [Release 5.0.0. 2017](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v5.0.0)
47. [Release 5.0.1. 2017](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v5.0.1)
48. [Release 5.0.2. 2017](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v5.0.2)
49. [Release 5.0.3. 2017](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v5.0.3)
50. [Release 5.0.4. 2017](https://github.com/elastic/curator/releases/tag/v5.0.4)