---
title: "Create a custom OpenTelemetry Collector configuration pipeline | Grafana Cloud documentation"
description: "Learn how to create a custom OpenTelemetry Collector configuration pipeline in Grafana Fleet Management"
---

> For a curated documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt). For the complete documentation index, see [llms-full.txt](/llms-full.txt).

# Create a custom OpenTelemetry Collector configuration pipeline

With [configuration pipelines](/docs/grafana-cloud/send-data/fleet-management/introduction/glossary/#configuration-pipeline), you can control collector behavior remotely and at scale. Configuration pipelines are made up of a unique name, a content body, and matching attributes.

This page explains how to create a custom pipeline for OpenTelemetry Collector in the Grafana Fleet Management interface. Type or paste an [OpenTelemetry Collector YAML configuration](https://opentelemetry.io/docs/collector/configuration/) in the configuration editor and then add matching attributes to assign it to specific collectors.

You can also create pipelines from a template. Refer to the [integration template setup guide](/docs/grafana-cloud/send-data/fleet-management/set-up/configuration-pipelines/integrations/) to use a pre-built pipeline.

## Before you begin

To create configuration pipelines in Fleet Management, you should:

- Have a Grafana Cloud account.
- Have administrator privileges or the ability to create and edit configuration pipelines. Refer to [Roles and permissions in Fleet Management](/docs/grafana-cloud/send-data/fleet-management/set-up/role-based-access-control/) for more information.
- Have at least one OpenTelemetry Collector [onboarded to Fleet Management](/docs/grafana-cloud/send-data/fleet-management/set-up/onboard-collectors/standalone-otel/) using the OpAMP Supervisor.
- Understand the [key terms and concepts](/docs/grafana-cloud/send-data/fleet-management/introduction/glossary/) of Fleet Management and [how the service works](/docs/grafana-cloud/send-data/fleet-management/introduction/architecture/).

## Define the configuration pipeline

Write a complete OpenTelemetry Collector configuration in YAML and save it as a pipeline.

1. In your Grafana Cloud stack, click **Connections** > **Fleet Management** and then switch to the **Remote configuration** tab.
2. Click **Create configuration pipeline**.
3. Select the OpenTelemetry collector type.
4. Click **Custom configuration** and then **Next**.
5. Enter a unique name for the pipeline.
6. In the configuration editor, write your OpenTelemetry Collector YAML configuration. The configuration must be valid. Refer to [OpenTelemetry Collector configuration](https://opentelemetry.io/docs/collector/configuration/) for more details.
7. Click **Test configuration pipeline** to verify the syntax is valid.
8. Click **Next** to assign the configuration pipeline to collectors or click **Save draft** to save an incomplete pipeline.

## Assign the configuration pipeline

Configuration pipelines are incomplete until you add matching attributes that assign them to collectors.

> Note
> 
> If you saved an incomplete pipeline, click the edit icon from the **Configuration pipeline list** to return to the **Define a configuration pipeline** page.

1. Click **Next** on the **Define a configuration pipeline** page.
2. Use the dropdown menus to create a [matching attribute](/docs/grafana-cloud/send-data/fleet-management/introduction/glossary/#attribute-matching). The **Collector list** updates in real time to show you which collectors have been assigned the configuration pipeline. Only active collectors are displayed in this list by default. [Inactive collectors](/docs/grafana-cloud/send-data/fleet-management/manage-fleet/collectors/collector-status/#inactive-collectors) are not shown, but you can include them by updating the status filter.
3. Continue adding matching attributes as needed. Configuration polling requests to the API can accept a maximum of 25 attributes.
4. Click **Save** to activate the configuration pipeline and return to the **Configuration pipeline list**.
5. Activate or deactivate a configuration pipeline with a click of the **Active** switch.
6. To verify the pipeline details without re-entering the editor, click the pipeline name. You see a details drawer containing pipeline metadata, configuration content, and matched collectors.

## Next steps

Now that you’ve started remotely configuring your fleet, learn how to [streamline your workflows](/docs/grafana-cloud/send-data/fleet-management/streamline-workflows/) and [track historical changes](/docs/grafana-cloud/send-data/fleet-management/manage-fleet/pipelines/view-pipeline-history/) to your configuration pipelines.