> 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-xsoar-8-saas-release-notes/features-introduced-in-previous-releases/features-introduced-in-2023/january-2023.md).

# January 2023

This section describes the main features of the Cortex XSOAR 8.1 release.

## Release Highlights

XSOAR 8 is redesigned to deliver improved performance and reliability, and is now highly scalable, based on revamped architecture. While based on Cortex XSOAR 6x, there are small changes from that version, which is detailed in [title\_title](/cortex-xsoar-8-saas-release-notes/features-introduced-in-previous-releases/features-introduced-in-2023/january-2023.md).

This is a SaaS-only release. For more information about XSOAR 8, see [Cortex XSOAR 8 FAQs](https://docs-cortex.paloaltonetworks.com/v/u/ibWvnlpiQoJ8TKEUisT7zg).

This section describes the new features of the Cortex XSOAR 8.1.

* Integration into the Cortex platform:
  * Unified look and feel
  * Uses the platform's storage engines
  * Simplified deployment and onboarding
  * Consistent user management
* Improved performance and reliability
* High scalability based on revamped architecture that utilizes cloud features
* Built-in Git Repository for sharing data between development and production instances

## Feature Enhancements

XSOAR 8.1 also includes the following new features that were also part of the v6.10 release:

* Communication task links in context data
* Quiet Mode for manual tasks
* Improved handling of grid fields


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