/Docs
IntroductionHow FeatureGate worksQuickstart
OrganisationsProjectsEnvironments
OverviewTypes and valuesConfigure across environmentsTargeting rulesPercentage rolloutsDesign evaluation contextLifecycle and intentTags and discovery
Choose an evaluation approachEvaluation credentialsNode.js SDKEvaluate over HTTPEvaluate in browsersSnapshots and configuration freshnessErrors and fallbacksTest flags locallyProduction integration checklist
Run a controlled rolloutKill switchesProject insightsActivity and audit historyReview and clean up flagsEnvironment readinessTroubleshooting and limits
Members, roles, and permissionsInvite and manage a teamOrganisation settings and operational defaultsProject lifecycle and transferPlans, billing, and team organisationsOrganisation closure and reactivationAccount settings and security
Management API overviewPreviewProvision flags through automationPreviewRotate runtime keys through automationPreviewAudit project changes through automationPreview
DocsAPI Reference

Operate/Environment readiness

Get access
/Docs
Get access
  1. Docs
  2. Operate
  3. Environment readiness

Environment readiness

Diagnose an environment from initial setup through traffic and configuration review.

MarkdownFeedback
PreviousReview and clean up flagsNextTroubleshooting and limits

On this page

Readiness sequenceNo flagsDefaults missingCreate a runtime keySend the first requestReview defaults after trafficDiagnose a stuck environmentWhat readiness does not prove

Environment readiness is lifecycle-first. It identifies the next useful action instead of reducing configuration to a generic health score.

Use it while activating a project or diagnosing why an environment cannot serve a meaningful hosted request.

Readiness sequence

StateMeaningNext action
No flagsThe project has no active decision to serveCreate a flag
Defaults missingNo active flag is configured hereConfigure a typed fallback
Create runtime keyConfiguration exists but no active server key doesCreate a minimum-scope key
Send first requestKey and configuration exist without hosted trafficRun the generated request
Review defaultsReal traffic makes all-off or incomplete defaults relevantReview configuration
ReadyNo higher-priority setup action remainsOperate and review normally

The sequence is derived from real resources and hosted usage. There is no persisted onboarding step that can drift from project state.

No flags

Create the first flag after confirming the environment model. An empty project must add at least one environment before flag creation becomes available.

Choose a safe type, lifecycle, and key. The first flag does not need a production rollout yet; it needs a deliberate configuration contract.

Defaults missing

A flag definition alone is not evaluable. Initialize at least one flag configuration and choose a typed fallback.

A configured boolean false counts as a valid default. Missing configuration does not. Review the difference before attempting to fix readiness by changing values.

Create a runtime key

Choose runtime:evaluate for direct hosted evaluation and runtime:snapshot for snapshot clients. Store the one-time secret immediately.

A browser client key does not satisfy the server runtime activation step. It uses a different trust boundary, origin policy, and exposure model.

Send the first request

Use a hosted /v1/evaluate request to prove authentication, key binding, configuration, and API reachability. The console-generated command is designed for this activation boundary.

A local Node.js getter does not create hosted evaluation usage. Snapshot fetching creates hosted API traffic but local evaluations remain unobserved.

Review defaults after traffic

A fresh environment whose boolean flags default off is not automatically a review problem. Before traffic, proving integration is the useful action.

After hosted traffic begins, the same all-off or incomplete configuration may affect a real runtime. Readiness can then direct the operator to review defaults.

Diagnose a stuck environment

  1. Confirm the environment is active rather than archived.
  2. Confirm the flag is configured, not merely defined.
  3. Confirm the key belongs to this project environment.
  4. Confirm its scope matches the requested endpoint.
  5. Run a hosted request and inspect status and response environment.
  6. Check organisation lifecycle when every valid key returns 403.

Archived environments cannot create keys or receive normal changes. Restore before continuing setup. Organisation offboarding blocks existing keys even when the environment itself remains active.

What readiness does not prove

Ready does not prove every application process refreshed, every rule is correct, every code path ran, or business outcomes are healthy.

Use application observability, controlled rollout procedures, and periodic lifecycle review after activation.

Related pages: Environments, Quickstart, and Troubleshooting and limits.