> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://agent-observability-docs.splunk.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a control

> Learn how to create, configure, and attach a control to an Agent Stream.

## Overview

This tutorial will guide you through creating a [control](https://docs.agentcontrol.dev/concepts/controls) in Splunk Agent Observability. By the end of this guide, you'll know how to create, configure, and attach a control to meet your guardrail needs.

## Before you begin

If you want to use a control, you must attach it to an Agent Stream within a project. If you haven't created a project with an Agent Stream, see [Creating a project](/concepts/projects#creating-a-project) and [Instrumentation](/sdk-api/logging/logging-basics).

This tutorial assumes that:

* You have [installed the dependencies for Agent Control](/concepts/agent-control/overview#prerequisites).
* You are familiar with Agent Control concepts. See [Overview](https://docs.agentcontrol.dev/concepts/overview) for more information.

## Create a control from the user interface

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log into Splunk Agent Observability">
    Navigate to your Splunk Agent Observability homepage and log in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to the Controls dashboard">
    In the Splunk Agent Observability main menu, select **Controls**, then **Create new control**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the control type">
    Choose an evaluator type for your control.

    Evaluators receive data from your agent and check the data against configured rules. The evaluator you select controls your agent workflow Agent Control supports built-in and custom evaluators. See [Overview](https://docs.agentcontrol.dev/concepts/evaluators/overview) for more information about the supported evaluators.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the control">
    Add configurations to meet your guardrail needs.

    The following table describes the configuration fields:

    | **Field**                   | **Description**                                                        |
    | --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Control name**            | A unique identifier for the control                                    |
    | **Enabled**                 | Toggle the control on or off                                           |
    | **Stages**                  | When to evaluate; `Pre` (before execution) or `Post` (after execution) |
    | **Selector path**           | The data path to evaluate (for example, `*` for all fields)            |
    | **Action**                  | What happens on a match. `Deny` blocks the request                     |
    | **Execution environment**   | Where evaluation runs; `Server` or `Client`                            |
    | **Evaluator configuration** | Type-specific settings (values, logic, match mode, case sensitivity)   |

    For more information about the configuration fields, see [Built-in Evaluators](https://docs.agentcontrol.dev/concepts/evaluators/built-in-evaluators).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the control">
    Select **Save** to register the control.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the control to an Agent Stream within a project">
    In the Splunk Agent Observability main menu, select your Agent Stream. Select the **Controls** tab, then select **Add control**.

    A table displays with the available controls. Select **Add** next to your control.

    The control should appear in the table on the **Controls** tab for your project. The control takes effect immediately if your agent application is running. No redeployment is needed.

    <Note>
      Attaching a control to an Agent Stream creates a clone of the control.

      Updating the clone doesn't update the control for any other Agent Stream that uses the same control. Updating the global control in the **Controls** dashboard doesn't update any existing clones.
    </Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

1. [Initialize and configure Agent Control](/how-to-guides/agent-control/initialize-and-configure-agent-control)
2. [Monitor a control](/how-to-guides/agent-control/monitor-a-control)