# rpk shadow delete

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/llms.txt). Component-specific: [streaming-full.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming-full.txt)

---
title: rpk shadow delete
latest-redpanda-tag: v25.3.11
latest-console-tag: v3.7.3
latest-operator-version: v26.1.4
# EOL = End-of-Life (support lifecycle status)
page-is-nearing-eol: "false"
page-is-past-eol: "false"
page-eol-date: November 19, 2026
latest-connect-version: 4.93.0
docname: rpk/rpk-shadow/rpk-shadow-delete
page-component-name: streaming
page-version: "25.3"
page-component-version: "25.3"
page-component-title: Streaming
page-relative-src-path: rpk/rpk-shadow/rpk-shadow-delete.adoc
page-edit-url: https://github.com/redpanda-data/docs/edit/v/25.3/modules/reference/pages/rpk/rpk-shadow/rpk-shadow-delete.adoc
page-git-created-date: "2025-11-19"
page-git-modified-date: "2025-11-19"
support-status: supported
---

<!-- Source: https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.3/reference/rpk/rpk-shadow/rpk-shadow-delete.md -->

Delete a Redpanda shadow link.

This command deletes a shadow link by name. By default, you cannot delete a shadow link that has active shadow topics. Use [`rpk shadow failover`](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.3/reference/rpk/rpk-shadow/rpk-shadow-failover/) first to deactivate topics before deletion, or use the `--force` flag to delete the shadow link and failover all its active shadow topics.

The command prompts you to confirm the deletion. Use the `--no-confirm` flag to skip the confirmation prompt. The `--force` flag automatically disables the confirmation prompt.

> ⚠️ **WARNING**
>
> Deleting a shadow link with `--force` permanently removes all shadow topics and stops replication. This operation cannot be undone.

## [](#usage)Usage

```bash
rpk shadow delete [LINK_NAME] [flags]
```

## [](#examples)Examples

Delete a shadow link:

```bash
rpk shadow delete my-shadow-link
```

Delete a shadow link without confirmation:

```bash
rpk shadow delete my-shadow-link --no-confirm
```

Force delete a shadow link with active shadow topics:

```bash
rpk shadow delete my-shadow-link --force
```

## [](#flags)Flags

| Value | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| -f, --force | - | If set, forces a delete while there are active shadow topics; disables confirmation prompts as well. |
| --no-confirm | - | Disable confirmation prompt. |
| -h, --help | - | Help for delete. |
| --config | string | Redpanda or rpk config file; default search paths are /var/lib/redpanda/.config/rpk/rpk.yaml, $PWD/redpanda.yaml, and /etc/redpanda/redpanda.yaml. |
| -X, --config-opt | stringArray | Override rpk configuration settings. See rpk -X or execute rpk -X help for inline detail or rpk -X list for terser detail. |
| --profile | string | Profile to use. See rpk profile for more details. |
| -v, --verbose | - | Enable verbose logging. |