Feature Flags in Production: Best Practices and Common Pitfalls

Deploying new code doesn't have to feel like walking a tightrope. Feature flags (also called feature toggles) have become a core part of modern development teams because they let teams release faster, safer, and with more control.

But when you start using them in production, a few best practices and just as importantly, a few traps make all the difference.

Let's dive in 👇

Why Use Feature Flags in Production?

Feature flags let you separate deployment from release. You can deploy code anytime, keep it hidden behind a flag, and then enable it for specific users or lower environments first (e.g. staging, development, etc.) and then enable it in production.

That means you can:

• Gradually roll out new features
• Limit the "blast radius" of a bad release
• Run beta or internal testing in production
• Instantly roll back broken functionality - no redeployment required

Sounds perfect, right? Well, it mostly is, if you use them wisely.

Best Practices for Using Feature Flags in Production

Keep Flags Short-Lived

Flags are not meant to live forever. Temporary flags (for rollouts, experiments, or hotfixes) should have a clear expiry date. Set reminders to remove them once the feature is fully rolled out. Stale flags can clutter code and cause confusion later.

Name Flags Clearly

A flag named admin.product-dashboard.v2 is better than new-admin-dashboard-flag. Use names that reflect intent, what the flag controls and why it exists. Clear naming makes debugging and collaboration easier for everyone.

Treat Flags as Code

Manage flags with the same discipline as your codebase. Version them, review changes, and document their purpose. A flag might look simple, but it’s part of your release logic.

Log Flag States

When debugging production issues, logs that show which flags were active for a request can save hours. Feature flag context should always be visible in logs, metrics, and monitoring tools.

Gradually Roll Out

Instead of flipping a feature to 100% users immediately, start small. Release to 1–5% of users, watch metrics, and expand only when things look stable. This simple habit catches most production bugs before they hit everyone.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Leaving Flags On Forever

It’s easy to forget a flag that “just works.” But old flags turn into tech debt. Regularly audit and remove them once they’ve served their purpose.

Too Many Flags

If every commit adds a new flag, complexity grows fast. Use flags strategically. They should reduce risk, not add it.

Missing Observability

A flag is only as useful as your visibility into it. Always pair flag rollouts with monitoring for error rates, latency, and usage patterns.

Manual Chaos

Without a management system, toggling flags via config files or environment variables quickly becomes unmanageable. Automate it, or use a platform like Supaship designed for visibility and control.

The Bottom Line

Feature flags in production are powerful, but they’re also easy to misuse if left unchecked. Follow good hygiene, automate what you can, and keep your flags visible and short-lived.

Ready for production-grade feature flags? Try Supaship and get the reliability you need for production deployments. Start free and deploy with confidence.