Feature flags
important
We’re currently making rapid changes to the product so our docs may be out of date. If you need help, please email yo@forem.com.
We sometimes employ feature flags to develop features that aren't fully formed at the moment of deployment. They can also be employed to roll out features in production incrementally.
Feature flags are meant to be temporary and part of a rollout plan resulting in their removal.
Creating a new feature flag
To create a new feature flag, we use data update scripts so that they can be made available over the entire Forem fleet, for example:
bundle exec rails g data_update AddAwesomeAlgorithmFeatureFlag
This will generate a script and its spec. Once done, you can add the new feature flag like this:
module DataUpdateScripts
class AddAwesomeAlgorithmFeatureFlag
def run
FeatureFlag.add(:awesome_algorithm)
end
end
end
and then start using it right away.
Guarding a feature behind a flag
Once the feature flag is added, you can start using it to hide the feature behind a boolean flag:
if FeatureFlag.enabled?(:awesome_algorithm)
# call the new code
else
# call the previous code
end
or, for example in a view:
<% if FeatureFlag.enabled?(:blue_button) %>
<%= render "blue_button" %>
<% else %>
<%= render "good_old_button" %>
<% end %>
Enabling/disabling a feature flag globally
As mentioned, feature flags can be used to test a work in progress feature or to test a new approach directly in production.
To enable such a feature:
- Log in to the Forem
- Go to
/admin/feature_flags
(it requires thetech_admin
role) - Click on the flag you want to enable and press "Fully Enable".
Removing a feature flag
Once the feature has been validated and finalized or discarded, please remember to remove its flag with a final data update script, for example:
bundle exec rails g data_update RemoveAwesomeAlgorithmFeatureFlag
module DataUpdateScripts
class AwesomeAlgorithmFeatureFlag
def run
FeatureFlag.remove(:awesome_algorithm)
end
end
end
This will ensure that the feature will be removed from all Forems.