> 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-5.x/onboard-cortex-xdr/deployment-steps/activate-cortex-xdr.md). # Activate Cortex XDR To activate a tenant, you need to log in to Cortex Gateway, a centralized portal for activating and managing tenants, users, roles, and user groups. After activating the tenant, you can then access the tenant. You must repeat this task for each tenant if you have multiple tenants. The activation process involves accessing Cortex Gateway, activating the tenant, and then accessing the tenant's resources. {% hint style="warning" %} ### Prerequisite * The Cortex XDR activation email. * A Customer Support Portal (CSP) account. You need to set up your CSP account. For more information, see [How to Create Your CSP User Account](https://knowledgebase.paloaltonetworks.com/KCSArticleDetail?id=kA10g000000ClNVCA0). When you create a CSP account, you can set up two-factor authentication (2FA) to log into the CSP by using an Email, Okta Verify, or Google Authenticator (non-FedRAMP accounts). For more information, see [How to Enable a Third Party IdP](https://knowledgebase.paloaltonetworks.com/KCSArticleDetail?id=kA14u000000sZ8mCAE). * You have one of the following roles assigned: | Role | Description | | ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | CSP role | The Super User role is assigned to your CSP account. The user who creates the CSP account is granted the Super User role. | | Cortex role |

You must have the Account Admin role.

If you are the first user to access Cortex Gateway with the CSP Super User role, you are automatically granted Account Admin permissions for the Cortex Gateway. You can also add Account Admin users as required.

In the Cortex Gateway, you can activate new tenants, access existing tenants, and create and manage role-based access control (RBAC) for all of your tenants.

| {% endhint %} How to activate Cortex XDR 1. Log in to [Cortex Gateway](https://cortex-gateway.paloaltonetworks.com/signin/). You can also access the link from the activation email. 2. Enter your username and password or multi-factor authentication (if set up) by using your Customer Support Portal account credentials to sign in. After you sign in, you can view the following: * If you are a CSP Account Admin, you can see tenants allocated to your CSP account and ready for activation. After activation, you cannot move your tenant to a different CSP account. * Tenant details such as license type, number of endpoints, and purchase date. * Tenants that were activated and are now available. If you have more than one Customer Support Portal account, the tenants are displayed according to the Customer Support Portal account name. 3. In the **Available for Activation** section, use the serial number to locate the tenant that needs activation, and then click **Activate**. 4. On the **Tenant Activation** page, define the following: | Parameter | Description | | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Tenant Name | Enter the name of the tenant. Use a unique name across your company account up to 59 characters long. | | Region | Geographic location where your tenant will be hosted. For more information about supported regions, see [Cortex XDR supported regions](/cortex-xdr-5.x/onboard-cortex-xdr/deployment-steps/activate-cortex-xdr/cortex-xdr-supported-regions.md). | | Tenant Subdomain |

DNS record associated with your tenant. Enter a name that will be used to access the tenant directly using the full URL:

https\://\xdr.\.paloaltonetworks.com

| 5. Review and **agree to the terms and conditions of the Privacy policy, Terms of Use, and EULA** , and then **Activate** your tenant.

Note

Activation can take about an hour and does not require you to remain on the activation page. Cortex XDR sends a notification to your email when the process is complete.

6. After activation, from Cortex Gateway, in the **Available Tenants**, when hovering over the activated tenant, do the following: * Ensure that you can successfully access the tenant by clicking the Cortex XDR tenant name (when the tenant is active). * In the dialog box, view the tenant status, region, serial number, and license details.

Note

If you want to change your tenant's name or the subdomain, on the right-hand side, click the ellipsis.

You can only change the subdomain once, and it cannot be undone.

After deleting the subdomain, you can reuse it after 7 days.

7. Enable and verify access to Cortex XDR communication servers, storage buckets, and various resources in your firewall configuration. For more information, see [Enable access to required PANW resources](/cortex-xdr-5.x/onboard-cortex-xdr/deployment-steps/activate-cortex-xdr/enable-access-to-required-panw-resources.md). --- # 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-xdr-5.x/onboard-cortex-xdr/deployment-steps/activate-cortex-xdr.md?ask=&goal= ``` `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.