Feature flag
Also called feature toggle, flag.
In plain English
A feature flag is an on or off switch that lets a team ship new code but keep the feature hidden until they turn it on.
Example
A new comments box is merged with its flag off. Visitors see nothing new until the owner flips the flag on.
Why it matters
Martin Fowler's article on feature toggles describes them as a way to change what a system does without changing its code. Teams use flags to mergeA merge brings another branch’s snapshots onto the branch you are on, usually after a person agrees. unfinished work safely, try a feature with a few people, or switch something off fast if it causes trouble.
How it shows up on bot.ski
Some Botski features ship turned off and are switched on later with a feature flag; for example, the site's live AI is off by default.
Common confusion
Merged code is not the same as a live feature. If the flag is off, the feature stays hidden.
Sources
Updated October 11, 2026.