The class Halobacteria consists of halophilic archaea, the most salt-requiring prokaryotes in the domain Archaea. Since 1997, minimal standards have been proposed for describing new taxa in this class. Recent advances in genome sequencing have led to a rapid expansion of described taxa, necessitating updated standards. The current revision of minimal standards incorporates new methodologies, including the use of the rpoB gene as a molecular marker and phylogenomic analysis based on conserved, single-copy marker genes. Genome-relatedness indexes such as average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI), and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) are recommended for rigorous comparisons. Cultivation and isolation methods, including the use of specific media and conditions, are detailed. Morphological features, growth conditions, nutrient requirements, biochemical activities, and polar lipid profiles are emphasized for taxonomic descriptions. The use of three-letter abbreviations for genera is recommended to avoid confusion. The revised standards aim to guide the description of new taxa, focusing on cultivation, morphology, growth, nutrients, biochemistry, lipids, phylogeny, and genomics, while maintaining flexibility in taxonomic thought. The standards are based on polyphasic taxonomy and incorporate recent genomic and phylogenomic approaches. The document also outlines the importance of genome-based classification and the use of advanced technologies for accurate taxonomic descriptions.The class Halobacteria consists of halophilic archaea, the most salt-requiring prokaryotes in the domain Archaea. Since 1997, minimal standards have been proposed for describing new taxa in this class. Recent advances in genome sequencing have led to a rapid expansion of described taxa, necessitating updated standards. The current revision of minimal standards incorporates new methodologies, including the use of the rpoB gene as a molecular marker and phylogenomic analysis based on conserved, single-copy marker genes. Genome-relatedness indexes such as average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI), and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) are recommended for rigorous comparisons. Cultivation and isolation methods, including the use of specific media and conditions, are detailed. Morphological features, growth conditions, nutrient requirements, biochemical activities, and polar lipid profiles are emphasized for taxonomic descriptions. The use of three-letter abbreviations for genera is recommended to avoid confusion. The revised standards aim to guide the description of new taxa, focusing on cultivation, morphology, growth, nutrients, biochemistry, lipids, phylogeny, and genomics, while maintaining flexibility in taxonomic thought. The standards are based on polyphasic taxonomy and incorporate recent genomic and phylogenomic approaches. The document also outlines the importance of genome-based classification and the use of advanced technologies for accurate taxonomic descriptions.