What no one tells you about feature flags and messy code

Feature flags, while instrumental for rapid releases at major tech companies, can lead to code clutter and technical debt if not managed responsibly, particularly when old flags are not removed after their purpose is served. The accumulation of these flags in a codebase can complicate development and introduce bugs. Effective management involves creating cleanup tickets at the time of rollout, establishing clear ownership and accountability for flag removal, and utilizing automated reminders and a living flag dashboard to track and manage flags. While platforms like Statsig offer advanced tools for tracking and automating flag management, teams can also adopt simple practices such as maintaining a FLAGS.md file to ensure visibility and manage the lifecycle of feature flags. The goal is not to eliminate all flags but to be intentional about which ones require cleanup to maintain code quality and prevent long-term technical issues.