release: v8.1.2

**Disclaimer**
The dates published in this issue are for planning purposes only. It is intended solely to help you plan your projects. A date that exists in the future should not be considered a firm release date as the release and timing of releases are subject to change at any time and are at PingCAP's sole discretion.

**Candidate SHA:**
TBD

Working Tags: TBD

**Check the diff in the current version:**
See the difference from the commit perspective:
TBD

**Release process checklist**

- [x] 0. Announce the release plan.

- [x] 1. Code freeze and RC build: Jan. 10, 2025

- [x] 2. Qualifying the release.

- [x] 3. Docs preparing for release.

- [x] 4. The release qualified.

- [x] 5. Docs are ready for release.

**Release date: Jan. 2025**

Do not proceed below until the release date.

- [x] 6. Publish TiDB Release

> - [x] fill in Candidate SHA above
>
> - [x] fill in the release tag

- [x] 7. Update docs

- [x] 8. Update the official website