# Configuring a CloudWatch alarm to create OpsItems (console)
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You can manually create an alarm or update an existing alarm to create OpsItems from Amazon CloudWatch.

**To create a CloudWatch alarm and configure Systems Manager as a target of that alarm**

1. Complete steps 1–9 as specified in [Create a CloudWatch alarm based on a static threshold](https://docs.amazonaws.cn/AmazonCloudWatch/latest/monitoring/ConsoleAlarms.html) in the *Amazon CloudWatch User Guide*.

1. In the **Systems Manager action ** section, choose **Add Systems Manager OpsCenter action**.

1. Choose **OpsItems**.

1. For **Severity**, choose from 1 to 4. 

1. (Optional) For **Category**, choose a category for the OpsItem.

1. Complete steps 11–13 as specified in [Create a CloudWatch alarm based on a static threshold](https://docs.amazonaws.cn/AmazonCloudWatch/latest/monitoring/ConsoleAlarms.html) in the *Amazon CloudWatch User Guide*.

1. Choose **Next** and complete the wizard.

**To edit an existing alarm and configure Systems Manager as a target of that alarm**

1. Open the CloudWatch console at [https://console.amazonaws.cn/cloudwatch/](https://console.amazonaws.cn/cloudwatch/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Alarms**.

1. Select the alarm, and then choose **Actions**, **Edit**.

1. (Optional) Change settings in the **Metrics** and **Conditions** sections, and then choose **Next**.

1. In the **Systems Manager** section, choose **Add Systems Manager OpsCenter action**. 

1. For **Severity**, choose a number. 
**Note**  
Severity is a user-defined value. You or your organization determine what each severity value means and any service-level agreement associated with each severity.

1. (Optional) For **Category**, choose an option. 

1. Choose **Next** and complete the wizard.