> 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-xdr-3.x/cortex-xdr-3.x-documentation/cortex-xdr-xql/build-xql-queries/how-to-build-xql-queries/xql-query-best-practices.md).

# XQL Query best practices

{% hint style="info" %}

### Notice

Building Cortex Query Language (XQL) queries in the Query Builder requires a Cortex XDR Pro license.
{% endhint %}

Cortex XDR includes built-in mechanisms for mitigating long-running queries, such as default limits for the maximum number of allowed alerts. The following suggestions can help you to streamline your queries:

* Add a smaller limit to queries by using a `limit` stage.

  The default results for any query is a maximum of 1,000,000 results, when no limit is explicitly stated in the query. Queries based on XQL query entities are limited to 10,000 results. Adding a smaller limit can greatly reduce the response time.

  Example:

  ```programlisting
  dataset = microsoft_windows_raw 
  | fields *host* 
  | limit 100
  ```
* Use a small time frame for queries by specifying the specific date and time in the **Timeframe**, such as selecting **Relative time** and defining **Last 30 Minutes**, instead of picking the nearest larger option available or defining an extended time period.
* Use filters that exclude data, along with other possible filters.
* Select the specific fields that you would like to see in the query results.


---

# Agent Instructions
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