Using Feature Flags to Tame Complexity with Mike Zorn

About this episode

The episode discusses how feature flags can help manage application complexity and improve deployment safety.

What if changing a single flag could save you from a failed migration, a broken API, or a late-night rollback? Join us as we dive into how feature flags become a practical tool for changing application behavior at runtime, not just toggling UI elements. Cory talks Mike Zorn about real stories from LaunchDarkly and Rippling, covering how teams use flags to ship safely, debug faster, and simplify complex systems. You’ll hear about: Using feature flags to avoid staging overload and ship directly to production Migrating critical systems and databases with minimal downtime and risk Controlling log levels and rate limits for specific customers on the fly Managing flag sprawl so teams do not drown in half-rolled-out features Experimenting with AI features, prompts, and models without fully committing If you’re working on a platform, running critical infrastructure, or just trying to ship faster without breaking everything, this conversation offers concrete patterns you can start using right away. Guest:  Mike Zorn , Senior Software Engineer at Rippling Mike’s software engineering journey began with an early interest in problem-solving and programming, starting with creating…

People in this episode

Host: Cory O'Daniel

Guest: Mike Zorn

Topics covered

• feature flags
• application behavior
• software engineering
• migration
• debugging
• complex systems

Keywords

• feature flags
• migration
• API
• debugging
• software engineering
• LaunchDarkly
• Rippling

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: LaunchDarkly, Rippling

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