If you use Azure DevOps Boards and Pipelines, you can now create Split feature flags (AKA “splits”) and initialize flag targeting rules from within Work Items and Pipeline Tasks.
The focus of this integration was to give teams two capabilities that make cross-team visibility, speed, and safety the default experience:
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Developers can create feature flags (and associate existing ones) from within Azure work items, as they plan their work. The association between an Azure Board’s work item and a feature flag is instantly visible in both Azure DevOps and Split, even before the first line of code is written using the flag.
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As code is written and deployed, the new “Split” Azure Pipeline task initializes targeting rules for newly created flags upon the very first commit. Default settings ensure that work in progress remains “dark” even if deployed all the way to production, while all of Split’s advanced flag definition and targeting capabilities are available via the task’s Split Targeting Definition field. Whether you are looking to use the default settings to enable trunk-based development, or the advanced targeting capabilities to support testing in production and other use cases, this new “Split” pipeline task has you covered.
The free Split extension in the Azure DevOps Marketplace takes about two minutes to install. Check out the doc page or install video below for the details.
Relationships Matter
Throughout the process of design, coding, testing, and release, the system at the heart of work planning and execution (Azure Boards) and the system at the heart of release control (Split) are deep-linked to each other at the work item and feature flag level. No matter which system you start in, you are never more than two clicks away from the details and associated context in the other.
Split’s Azure DevOps integration will simplify our workflow by allowing developers to create new flags directly in Azure Boards. This integration will also help us better collaborate with our product teams who approve all public releases. The linkage between work items and feature flags is a big plus because it streamlines the process of knowing when all work is completed for a single feature, and will help us ensure a drama-free release.
Matthew Bingham, Director of Development at J. J. Keller & Associates.
Have a Look!
Perhaps the best way to understand this new integration is to see it yourself. Here are links to an end-to-end demo video, a 3-minute install video, docs, release notes, and more:
- Split Azure DevOps Integration Demo (video 14:38)
- Install Split Integration With Azure DevOps (video 2:52)
- Documentation in the Split Help Center
- Release Notes
- Split Extension for Azure DevOps in the Azure DevOps Marketplace