Feature Flags and Server Settings

This page covers server-side configuration options for Brief Connect, including feature flags and other environment variables that administrators can configure in the Azure Functions App.

Overview

Brief Connect uses environment variables configured in Azure Functions App settings to control various server-side behaviors. These settings fall into two main categories:

• Feature Flags: Enable or disable specific functionality using the FeatureFlags__ prefix
• Application Settings: Configure system behavior, connections, and limits

How to Configure Settings

All server settings are configured in your Azure Functions App:

1. Navigate to your Azure Functions App in the Azure portal
2. Go to Configuration → Application settings
3. Add or modify application settings as needed
4. Important: Restart the Azure Functions App after making configuration changes

Feature Flags

Feature flags allow administrators to enable or disable specific functionality within Brief Connect. They use the FeatureFlags__ prefix followed by the feature name.

Pattern

FeatureFlags__[FeatureName] = true|false

Available Feature Flags

SharePoint Uploads

Configuration Key: FeatureFlags__SharePointUploadsEnabled  

Default Value: true  

Type: Boolean

Controls whether users can select and upload documents directly from SharePoint when managing record documents.

When Enabled (true):

• Users see "Select from SharePoint" options in document upload interfaces

• Users can browse and select files from SharePoint libraries  

• Standard file upload functionality remains available

When Disabled (false):

• "Select from SharePoint" options are hidden from all document upload interfaces

• Users can only upload files using standard file selection (local files)

• Existing SharePoint-sourced documents remain accessible

UI Impact:

The SharePoint uploads feature flag specifically affects these areas:

• Attachments section: "Select from SharePoint" button visibility

• Primary Documents section: "Select from SharePoint" button visibility  

• Supporting Documents section: "Select from SharePoint" button visibility

Configuration Example:

FeatureFlags__SharePointUploadsEnabled = true

Admin Workflow Override

Configuration Key: FeatureFlags__WorkflowAdminOverrideEnabled  

Default Value: false  

Type: Boolean

Enables the Admin Workflow Override tool, which allows administrators to manually progress records that are stuck in a workflow due to task assignment or role mapping issues. When enabled, admins will see special "Workflow Override" options in the "I Want To" menu for records, allowing them to resolve workflow blockages.

When Enabled (true):

• Administrators can access override actions to progress stuck records.

• The "Workflow Override" options appear in the admin "I Want To" menu for eligible records.

When Disabled (false):

• The admin override tool is hidden; only standard workflow actions are available.

Configuration Example:

FeatureFlags__WorkflowAdminOverrideEnabled = true

See also: Resolving Stuck Workflows with the Admin Workflow Override Tool

Documents Upload Drag and Drop

Configuration Key: FeatureFlags__DocumentsUploadDragAndDropEnabled  

Default Value: true  

Type: Boolean

Controls whether drag-and-drop upload zones are available for document uploads.

When Enabled (true):

• Drag-and-drop areas are visible on document upload components.

• Users can drop files directly to upload in: Attachments, Primary Documents, and Supporting Documents.

• Standard file picker remains available.

When Disabled (false):

• Drag-and-drop areas are hidden; users use the standard file picker only.

• No impact on existing documents.

UI Impact:

• Affects the visibility and interactivity of the drop zone across document upload surfaces (Attachments, Primary, Supporting).

Configuration Example:

FeatureFlags__DocumentsUploadDragAndDropEnabled = true

User Extra Metadata

Configuration Key: FeatureFlags__UserExtraMetadataEnabled  

Default Value: false  

Type: Boolean

Controls whether extra endorser metadata (such as Position/Job Title, Group/Office Location, and acting capacity snapshots) is included in API outputs and rendered in PDFs.

When Enabled (true):

• API responses for department activities include a UserInfo block with snapshot values (e.g., acting capacity and group).

• The UI and PDF pack can render an "Endorser's Details" section for activities where the related workflow transition sets the flag to show endorser details.

• Values prefer immutable snapshots captured at action time; clients may fall back to directory data if snapshots are missing.

When Disabled (false):

• Extra user metadata is omitted from API responses for activities.

• UI/PDF hides the endorser details panel even if transitions request it.

UI/PDF Impact:

• Timeline and Endorsement PDF: shows or hides the "Endorser's Details" row/section based on this flag (and per-activity settings).

Configuration Example:

FeatureFlags__UserExtraMetadataEnabled = false

Plugin Editor

Configuration Key: FeatureFlags__EnablePluginEditor  

Default Value: true  

Type: Boolean

Controls whether plugin functionality is available.

When Enabled (true):

• Plugin Editor in Admin Panel is available
• Plugin Bundle is created based on BundleStore configuration on confguration / plugin content change
• Plugin Bundle is injected to BC pages

When Disabled (false):

• Plugin Editor in Admin Panel is not available
• No bundle generation

Configuration Example:

FeatureFlags__EnablePluginEditor = true

Other Server Settings

Dashboard Behavior

Open Records in New Tab

Configuration Key: OpenDashboardRecordsInNewTab
Default Value: false
Type: Boolean

Controls whether clicking on records from the dashboard opens them in a new browser tab or the current tab.

OpenDashboardRecordsInNewTab = true

Validation and Error Handling

Show Validation Errors

Configuration Key: ShowRecordValidationErrors
Default Value: false
Type: Boolean

Controls whether detailed validation error messages are displayed to users when record operations fail.

ShowRecordValidationErrors = true

Email Configuration

Email Subject Postfix for Proxy

Configuration Key: EmailSubjectPostfixForProxy
Type: String

Adds a custom postfix to email subjects when emails are sent on behalf of proxy users.

EmailSubjectPostfixForProxy = " (sent on behalf)"

Email Sender Type

Configuration Key: Email__SenderType
Type: String

Default: GraphServiceAccount

Determines whether Graph API Service Account or SMTP is used for send email notifications

Email__SenderType = "SMTP"

Email Username

Configuration Key: Email__SmtpUserName
Type: String

The Username to be used for SMTP authentication

Email Password

Configuration Key: Email__SmtpPassword
Type: String

The Password to be used for SMTP authentication

Email Server

Configuration Key: Email__SmtpServer
Type: String

The SMTP Server location to be used

Email Port

Configuration Key: Email__SmtpPort
Type: Integer Default: 25

The Port to be used

Email Use Secure Connection

Configuration Key: Email__SmtpUseSecureConnection
Type: Boolean

Default: true

Sets the property EnableSsl on the SmtpClient instance sending the email

Email Timeout

Configuration Key: Email__SmtpTimeout
Type: Integer

Default: 100000

Sets the Timeout value for sending the email in milliseconds

Email From

Configuration Key: Email__SmtpFrom
Type: String

Sets the from address for emails being sent

Email ReplyTo

Configuration Key: Email__SmtpReplyTo
Type: String

Sets the reply to address for emails being sent

File Upload Configuration

Allowed Upload File Extensions

Configuration Key: AllowedUploadFileExtensions
Type: String

The upload components only allow files with extensions from the specified comma-separated list.

In case of no value or empty value specified, default list of extensions will be used:

.docx,.doc,.xlsx,.xls,.pptx,.ppt,.pdf,.jpg,.jpeg,.png,.gif,.tiff,.bmp,.txt,.csv,.mp4,.mov,.avi,.heic,.zip,.msg,.eml

To allow any files upload use value "all"

Plugin Bundle Configuration

Bundle Store Kind

Configuration Key: BundleStore__BundleStoreKind
Type: String
Allowed Values: Blob (default), FileShare, FileSystem (local dev only)

Based on Bundle Store Kind the following variables can be configured:

BundleStore__BundleStoreKind:Blob

Key	Value	Required/Optional
BundleStore__ConnectionString	{connection string to target storage account}	Required
BundleStore__ContainerName	{container name for bundles}	Required
BundleStore__Folder	{folder within the container}	Optional

BundleStore__BundleStoreKind:FileShare

Key	Value	Required/Optional
BundleStore__ConnectionString	{connection string to target storage account}	Required
BundleStore__FileShareName	{file share name for bundles}	Required
BundleStore__Folder	{folder within the file share}	Optional

BundleStore__BundleStoreKind:FileSystem (LOCAL DEV ONLY)

Key	Value	Required/Optional	Example
BundleStore__Folder	{full path to public folder in the client repository }	Required	c:\DEV\git\bc\client\public

---

Troubleshooting

Feature Flag Not Taking Effect

If a feature flag change doesn't appear to work:

1. Check Setting Name: Verify the environment variable name is spelled correctly (case-sensitive)
2. Verify Value: Ensure the value is exactly true or false (lowercase, case-sensitive)
3. Restart Required: Restart the Azure Functions App to ensure configuration is reloaded
4. Check Environment: Verify you're testing in the correct environment
5. Check Logs: Review application logs for any configuration errors

SharePoint Upload Options Not Visible

If users report that SharePoint upload options are missing:

1. Check that FeatureFlags__SharePointUploadsEnabled is set to true
2. Verify the feature flag name uses the correct FeatureFlags__ prefix
3. Restart the Azure Functions App after making changes
4. Clear browser cache and refresh the application
5. Check that SharePoint connectivity is working properly

General Configuration Issues

1. Case Sensitivity: All setting names and boolean values are case-sensitive
2. Restart Required: Most configuration changes require an app restart to take effect
3. Environment Variables: Ensure settings are added as Application settings, not Connection strings
4. Special Characters: Avoid special characters in setting names unless specifically documented

Configuration Reference

For a complete list of all configurable settings, including connection strings and advanced options, refer to the deployment documentation and environment-specific configuration guides.