> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-cloud-runtime-security/endpoint-security/install-and-manage-endpoints/harden-endpoint-security/set-a-cortex-xdr-agent-critical-environment-version.md).

# Set a Cortex XDR agent Critical Environment version

After you install the Cortex XDR agent and the agent registers with Cortex Cloud, you can set endpoints to run with a Cortex XDR agent Critical Environment (CE) version.

CE versions are designed for sensitive and highly regulated environments. These versions receive full content update coverage and contain the same feature set as the standard line it is based on. Please note, that some bug fixes, introducing higher stability risk, may not be incorporated into the maintenance releases of these lines. Support is provided for CE versions for 24 months, while support for standard versions is provided for 9 months.

To ensure the stability of the line, CE versions maintenance release cadence is longer than in the standard line, we recommend that deployment is adjusted accordingly.

Setting an endpoint with a CE agent version requires you to define your agent configurations which then allows you to do the following:

* Create a CE agent installation package
* Define the upgrade and auto-upgrade in the Agent Settings Profile

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Define your agent configuration.

1. Navigate to Settings → Configurations → General → Agent Configurations. Scroll down to Critical Environment Versions.
2. Click Enable Critical Environment Versions to be Created and Installed in the Tenant.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Track endpoints with CE Agent versions.

Navigate to Inventory → Endpoints → All Endpoints. In the table, locate the Version Type field to view whether the endpoint is defined as a Standard or Critical Environment agent.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-cloud-runtime-security/endpoint-security/install-and-manage-endpoints/harden-endpoint-security/set-a-cortex-xdr-agent-critical-environment-version.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.