Three how-it-works/how-to-extend reference docs (docs/reference/), each with a coupling section, indexed in docs/README.md. New document-feature skill so docs ship in the same diff as the code. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>
77 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
77 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
# Feature flags — how they're built, extended & (de)coupled
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Runtime on/off switches for features. The split, deliberately mirroring stamdata: the
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**catalog is config-as-code** (build-validated), the **on/off state is runtime** (SQLite,
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like org-templates). Enforcement is **end-to-end** — the FE hides the surface _and_ the
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backend refuses the action. Built in
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[WP-47](../project/backlog/WP-47-feature-flags.md); see
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[ADR-0004](architecture/0004-stamdata-as-code.md) for the catalog-vs-state reasoning.
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## The one rule: hiding is not enforcing
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A flag gates the UI _for feel_ and the endpoint _for real_. Flipping `inschrijving-open`
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off both removes the "Inschrijven" nav/dashboard action **and** makes `POST /applications`
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return 403. Never gate only the UI — a hidden button is not a closed door.
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## Layered pipeline
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Backend:
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- `Domain/Features/FeatureFlags.cs` — the code catalog (`FeatureFlagDef(Key, Description,
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DefaultEnabled)`). One flag today: `inschrijving-open` (default on).
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- `Data/FeatureFlagStore.cs` — stores **only overrides** in SQLite; `All()` overlays
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catalog defaults with overrides; `IsEnabled` is **fail-closed** on unknown keys;
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`Set(key, …)` rejects unknown keys (→ 404).
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- `Program.cs`: `GET /flags` (readable by any principal — drives FE gating),
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`PUT /admin/flags/{key}` gated by `FlagsAdmin`; the **server-side enforcement** lives at
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the guarded endpoint (`POST /applications` → 403 when off).
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Frontend — note this feature lives in **`shared`**, not `beheer` (it's consumed app-wide):
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- `shared/domain/feature-flag.ts` (`FeatureFlag` + `FLAG_INSCHRIJVING_OPEN` key constant) →
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`shared/infrastructure/feature-flags.adapter.ts` (`list()`/`set()` + `parseFlags`) →
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`shared/application/feature-flags.store.ts` (root singleton mirroring `AccessStore`;
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loads once; `enabled(key)` is **deny-by-default** and reactive).
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- `beheer/ui/feature-flags.page.ts` — the admin toggle at `/beheer/functies`, gated on
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`flags:manage`.
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## How to add a flag
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1. Add a `FeatureFlagDef` to `FeatureFlags.cs` and a key constant to
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`shared/domain/feature-flag.ts`.
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2. **Enforce it server-side** at the endpoint the flag protects (return 403 when off) —
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this is the non-negotiable half.
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3. Gate the UI surface(s) by reading `store.enabled(KEY)`.
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4. Cover it in `backend/tests/BigRegister.Tests/FeatureFlagTests.cs` (default, admin-only
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toggle, unknown-key 404, off→403 / on→201).
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## Coupling — the one to watch
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This is the **most-coupled** of the three admin features, and the honest teaching point.
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Each UI consumer injects `FeatureFlagStore`, imports the flag-key constant, and hand-writes
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its own gating predicate inline:
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- `shared/layout/site-header/site-header.component.ts` — filters the "Inschrijven" nav item.
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- `registratie/ui/dashboard.page.ts` — hides the "Inschrijven" dashboard action.
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So a second flag with a second consumer **repeats the pattern by hand** — there's no shared
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"gate this thing by flag" abstraction. That's fine at one flag / two consumers (a helper for
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a single case is speculative). **Recommended: when a second flag lands, extract a small
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`gateByFlag(items, key)` / a structural directive** rather than growing more inline
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`.filter(… || enabled(KEY))` copies. Document the intent now; don't build the abstraction
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until the second case forces it.
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## Wire-up gotcha
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`PUT /admin/flags` must be in the `role.interceptor` **ROLE_AWARE** list or the toggle
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403s silently; the public `GET /flags` needs no `X-Role`. Admin nav lives in `ADMIN_LINKS`
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(`flags:manage`).
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## See also
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- [WP-47](../project/backlog/WP-47-feature-flags.md) — the build.
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- [ADR-0004](architecture/0004-stamdata-as-code.md) — catalog-as-code vs runtime state.
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- `backend/src/BigRegister.Api/Domain/Features/FeatureFlags.cs` — the catalog.
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- `src/app/shared/application/feature-flags.store.ts` — the deny-by-default store.
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- [Roles & access](roles-and-access.md) — `flags:manage` + admin gating.
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