diff --git a/ansible/README.rst b/ansible/README.rst
index dda9de001..990cf6ac6 100644
--- a/ansible/README.rst
+++ b/ansible/README.rst
@@ -89,6 +89,11 @@ as needed.  You can also change the logging backend to use fluentd via the
 ``logging_backend:`` variable.  For most uses leaving the defaults in place is
 accceptable.  If left unchanged the default is to use logstash.
 
+You can also install the optional `curator <https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/client/curator/current/index.html>`_ tool for managing
+elasticsearch indexes.  Set ``install_curator_tool: true`` to enable this optional tool installation.
+
+If all the variables look ok in ``install/group_vars/all.yml`` you can proceed with deployment.
+
 ::
 
     ansible-playbook -i hosts install/elk.yml
diff --git a/ansible/install/elk.yml b/ansible/install/elk.yml
index 7028832fe..e9a270fe5 100644
--- a/ansible/install/elk.yml
+++ b/ansible/install/elk.yml
@@ -10,4 +10,5 @@
     - { role: fluentd, when: (logging_backend == 'fluentd') }
     - { role: logstash, when: ((logging_backend is none) or (logging_backend == 'logstash')) }
     - { role: nginx }
+    - { role: curator, when: install_curator_tool }
     - { role: kibana }
diff --git a/ansible/install/group_vars/all.yml b/ansible/install/group_vars/all.yml
index 1b4e1c4f0..6b93ad0ff 100644
--- a/ansible/install/group_vars/all.yml
+++ b/ansible/install/group_vars/all.yml
@@ -157,3 +157,9 @@ logstash_syslog_port: 5044
 fluentd_syslog_port: 42185
 fluentd_http_port: 9919
 fluentd_debug_port: 24230
+### install curator tool ###
+# curator is the recommended tool for managing elasticsearch indexes
+# https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/client/curator/current/index.html
+# default is no (set to blank) or false
+# set the below variable to 'true' to activate
+install_curator_tool: false
diff --git a/ansible/install/roles/curator/files/curator.repo b/ansible/install/roles/curator/files/curator.repo
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9a7a6ee1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/install/roles/curator/files/curator.repo
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+[curator-3]
+name=CentOS/RHEL 7 repository for Elasticsearch Curator 3.x packages
+baseurl=http://packages.elastic.co/curator/3/centos/7
+gpgcheck=1
+gpgkey=http://packages.elastic.co/GPG-KEY-elasticsearch
+enabled=1
diff --git a/ansible/install/roles/curator/tasks/main.yml b/ansible/install/roles/curator/tasks/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..659741756
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible/install/roles/curator/tasks/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+
+---
+#
+# install curator tool for managing elasticsearch
+#
+
+- name: Copy curator yum repo file
+  copy:
+    src=curator.repo
+    dest=/etc/yum.repos.d/curator.repo
+    owner=root
+    group=root
+    mode=0644
+  become: true
+  when: install_curator_tool
+
+- name: Import curator GPG Key
+  rpm_key: key=http://packages.elastic.co/GPG-KEY-elasticsearch
+    state=present
+  when: install_curator_tool
+
+- name: Install curator and python-setuptools
+  yum: name={{ item }} state=present
+  become: true
+  with_items:
+    - python-elasticsearch-curator
+    - python-setuptools
+  when: install_curator_tool