diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 037d266..b69f3b6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -109,10 +109,20 @@ Version 1.0.0 - Production Ready
 
 After installation, follow these steps to initialize CACA:
 
-### 1. Verify Index Creation
+### 1. Create the Metrics Index
 
-The `caca_metrics` index should be created automatically. Verify by running:
+Create a metrics index named `caca_metrics` before using CACA:
 
+**For Splunk Enterprise:**
+```spl
+| rest /services/data/indexes | search title=caca_metrics
+```
+If the index doesn't exist, create it via CLI or indexes.conf (see Configuration section).
+
+**For Splunk Cloud:**
+Request your Splunk Cloud administrator to create a metrics index named `caca_metrics`.
+
+Verify the index exists:
 ```spl
 | eventcount summarize=false index=caca_metrics
 ```
@@ -397,15 +407,24 @@ Edit `default/savedsearches.conf` or use Splunk Web to modify:
 - **Health tracking frequency**: Default every 15 minutes
 - **Registry update frequency**: Default daily at 2 AM
 
-### Customizing Metrics Retention
+### Creating the Metrics Index
+
+CACA requires a metrics index named `caca_metrics`. This index must be created manually before using the app.
 
-Edit `default/indexes.conf` to adjust retention:
+**For Splunk Enterprise:**
+```bash
+# Via CLI
+splunk add index caca_metrics -datatype metric
 
-```ini
+# Or add to $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/system/local/indexes.conf:
 [caca_metrics]
-frozenTimePeriodInSecs = 31536000  # 1 year (default)
+datatype = metric
+frozenTimePeriodInSecs = 31536000
 ```
 
+**For Splunk Cloud:**
+Contact your Splunk Cloud administrator to create a metrics index named `caca_metrics` with appropriate retention settings.
+
 ### Configurable Thresholds
 
 CACA uses configurable thresholds stored in `lookups/caca_settings.csv`. You can customize these settings to match your environment:
diff --git a/default/indexes.conf b/default/indexes.conf
deleted file mode 100644
index 9e5aab8..0000000
--- a/default/indexes.conf
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-# Metrics index for CACA - Content Activity Checking Application
-# This index stores all dashboard usage, health, and performance metrics
-
-[caca_metrics]
-datatype = metric
-homePath = $SPLUNK_DB/caca_metrics/db
-coldPath = $SPLUNK_DB/caca_metrics/colddb
-thawedPath = $SPLUNK_DB/caca_metrics/thaweddb
-
-# Retain metrics for 1 year (365 days) by default
-# Adjust based on your retention requirements
-frozenTimePeriodInSecs = 31536000