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updatedAt: 2026-09-25T22:03:43.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.atono.io/llms.txt
---

# Feature flags

Manage the visibility and availability of features without code deployment.

Feature flags (also known as feature toggles) give you flexibility over which features or functionality are active in your application without needing to redeploy or modify your code. This means you can test new features in specific environments, roll out updates gradually, or turn off problematic functionality—all without disrupting your production environment.

Whether you're running A/B tests, doing phased releases, or managing risk, feature flags help you stay in control through the development and deployment process.

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# Feature flags in Atono

In Atono, feature flags are integrated directly into stories, so you can toggle features on or off right from the stories you're working on, or from the Feature flags page. This connection between stories and feature flags lets you manage a feature's lifecycle without touching your codebase.

Once you've added a feature flag to a story in Atono, you'll need to integrate it into your code to start using it. To help get you started, we provide sample code that shows how to reference the feature flag and environment in your project. For more details, see [Implement a feature flag in your application](https://docs.atono.io/docs/implement-a-feature-flag#/).

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# Add a feature flag to a story

Anyone in your workspace can create a feature flag, and anyone can apply an existing flag to a story in Atono. When adding a feature flag to a story, you can either create a new flag or apply an existing one.

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## Create a new feature flag

Creating a new flag is ideal when you're introducing a feature that isn't yet connected to existing functionality. This approach lets you test and deploy the feature independently, ensuring it performs as expected without affecting other areas of your application.

1. In the story details panel, click + **Add feature flag**.
2. From the menu, select **Create new flag**.
3. In the **Create new feature flag** dialog, provide a unique name and optional description.
   * The **Name** field suggests a name based on your story, which you can modify. Flag names must be unique, start with a lowercase letter or underscore, and include only lowercase letters, underscores, and numbers. Names should be between 4 and 60 characters long. As a suggested best practice, we recommend [choosing clear flag names](https://docs.atono.io/docs/sdk-feature-flags#choose-clear-flag-names).&#x20;
   * A description provides context for others, explaining what the flag controls and the impact of enabling it.
4. Click **Create feature flag** to save, or click **X** to cancel.

As the creator, you'll automatically be assigned **Owner** permissions of the flag.&#x20;

Others can apply the flag to their stories, and anyone with access to a story can remove a flag from it. Only flag owners and workspace Administrators can delete the flag itself.

You can also manage the [flag permissions](https://docs.atono.io/docs/flag-permissions) to decide who can configure or manage the flag.

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## Add an existing feature flag

Applying an existing feature flag is useful when your new development extends or enhances an existing feature. This ensures consistency and enables you to control all related parts together, reducing the number of flags you need to manage.

1. In the story header, click + **Add feature flag**.
2. From the menu, select **Apply existing flag**.
3. In the **Apply existing feature flag** dialog, use the search box to view suggestions, or search for a flag by name or story ID.
4. Select a flag to view:

   * The flag's On or Off status in each environment.
   * The last time the flag was evaluated.
   * Other stories that have the flag added to it.

5) Click **Apply feature flag**, or click **X** to cancel.

* If the flag is turned on in any environment, you'll be warned that applying it to the current story will immediately enable its functionality in those environments.

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# Edit a flag's name and description

Over time, you might need to update a feature flag's name or description to match new conventions or clarify its purpose.

> Only feature flag owners and workspace Administrators can edit a flag's name and description.

1. In the story details panel, click the feature flag's name.
2. In the flag configuration dialog, click the **ellipsis** (...) icon.
3. From the menu, select **Flag details**.

4) In the **Flag details** dialog, update the name and description.
5) Click **Update details** to save your changes, or click **X** to cancel. You'll  return to the flag configuration dialog.
6) Click **Save configuration**, or click **X** to close the dialog if you changes are already saved.

<Callout icon="⚠️" theme="warn">
  ### Be cautious renaming flags

  Renaming a flag without updating all code references may cause unexpected behavior. If the SDK encounters a flag that doesn't exist it will use the default value specified in the code and log an error.
</Callout>

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# Remove a feature flag from a story

If a feature flag is no longer needed for a story, you can remove it without deleting the flag itself. This keeps the flag available for other stories or future use while ensuring the current story is unaffected.

> Any user with access to a story can remove its feature flag.

1. In the story details panel, hover over the feature flag's name.
2. Click the **X** icon when it appears to the right of the flag name.

3) In the **Remove feature flag from story** dialog, click **Remove flag from story** to confirm. If the flag is On in any environment or slice, or has been evaluated, the dialog warns you that the flag appears to be in use.
4) If the flag isn't associated with any stories, the **Delete feature flag** dialog will appear for flag owners and users with higher level permissions. Confirm deletion by clicking **Delete feature flag** or select **Don't delete** to keep the flag.

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# Delete a feature flag

When a feature flag is no longer needed—whether the feature has been fully rolled out, deprecated, or the experiment is complete—you can delete it.

> Only flag owners and workspace Administrators can delete feature flags.

1. On a feature flag's configuration screen, click the **ellipsis** (...) icon.
2. From the menu, select **Delete flag**.

3) In the **Delete feature flag** dialog, type the flag's name, then click **Delete feature flag**, or click **X** to cancel.

If the feature flag is currently associated with any stories, it will be removed from those stories before deletion. If you haven't already, be sure to remove any code that references the feature flag from your application.

<Callout icon="⚠️" theme="warn">
  ### Don't forget to delete the flag from your code

  Deleting a flag without removing all references in the code may cause unexpected behavior. If the SDK encounters a deleted flag, it will use the default value specified in the code and log an error.
</Callout>