Willie Nelson appeals the district court’s * preservice dismissal of Nelson’s 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action against a court clerk, who he claimed incorrectly recorded his prison sentence. As relief, Nelson sought alteration of his sentence.

Having carefully reviewed the record, we conclude dismissal was proper. The relief Nelson sought indicates he was in effect challenging the length or duration of his confinement. The sole federal remedy for a state prisoner bringing such a challenge is a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. See Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 499-500, 93 S.Ct. 1827, 36 L.Ed.2d 439 (1973). Nelson is free to refile his complaint as a habeas action under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 if and when he has exhausted state remedies. We affirm the district court. See 8th Cir. R. 47B.