Feature Management

Plans, addons, and charges can unlock features. Subscriptions unlock features by virtue of the included plans, addons, and charges. Subscriptions can also unlock additional features via overrides.

The four main actions that can be performed on a feature are creation, updation, deletion and activation.

The following sections explain in detail about each operation.

Creating Features

To create a feature in the Chargebee user interface, follow these steps:

1. Click Entitlements > Features > Create feature.
2. Add a name and description to the feature using the respective fields. We recommend using the same name that you use to market the feature to your customers.
3. A Feature ID slug for the feature name is auto-generated by default. You can enter a new feature ID only in the Create a New Feature page. Remember, once set, the ID cannot be changed.

Example: The company Acme is defining Features for their CRM product line, a good norm would be to use prefixes in the ID naming like acme-crm-feature-a.

The feature definition section is where you can define the feature entitlement type and entitlement levels.

• For switch-type features, select Switch as the Entitlement Type.

• For Quantity-type features, select Quantity as the Entitlement Type and create the entitlement levels.

• For Range-type features, select Range as the Entitlement Type. Range allows you to create many entitlement levels within a range of values. Here you can only set a Default (Minimum) and Maximum value constraint. While assigning features to items, you have the flexibility to choose any value within the range provided.

• For Custom-type features, select Custom as the Entitlement Type and create the entitlement levels.

Viewing Features

When a feature is created successfully, it is listed on the Features index page. To navigate to the features index page, click Entitlements from the left navigation menu.

You can filter, search and navigate to the respective feature details pages from here.

By default, the name, status, type, and description of a feature are displayed for easy identification. You can also filter features using name, Id, status, and type.

Details page

To navigate to the Features details page, click Entitlements > Select a feature.

The details page has all the information about whether the feature is activated or archived, the entitlements that have been added, along with the option to make changes to entitlements and the feature itself.

Each action inside the details page is elaborated further in the following sections.

Viewing Entitlements in Items

The details page of each product catalog item lists all the features attached to it. This keeps you informed about the Features in consideration when an item configuration needs to be changed.

If an item does not contain any features entitlements, you are given the option to add new entitlements using Add Features.

Activating Features

A feature when created is by default present in the Draft state.

A feature in the Draft state represents a feature in your product that you're still developing or still deciding how to take to market. You can make changes to this feature and its entitlements without affecting your customer entitlements until you activate it.

Activating a feature brings all its entitlements into effect so that eligible customers' entitlement lists will now include this feature.

Ensure that you assign the feature to applicable product catalog items using the Managing Product Entitlements option before activating a feature. Learn more.

To activate a feature, click Entitlements > Select feature > Activate Feature.

Updating Features

You can modify the details for existing features. Depending on the type of feature, Chargebee permits or disallows certain modifications based on whether entitlements have been defined for the feature or not. To update a feature, follow these steps:

1. Click Entitlements > Features.

   

2. Select a feature from the Feature List page > Edit Feature.

   

3. The Edit Feature screen has two sections - Edit Feature and Feature Definitions.

4. In the Edit Feature section, update the Internal Name and Description of the feature.

   

5. In the Feature Definitions section, update the Entitlement Unit and the Display Name of the allowed entitlement.

   

6. After making the changes to a feature, click Update to save your changes.

Archiving Features

If you intend to discontinue a feature, then archive it in Chargebee to make sure it is hidden from future prospects.

When a feature is archived,

• Existing entitlements already granted to items and subscriptions cannot be edited, only removed.
• New entitlements cannot be added to items and subscriptions.
• Existing subscriptions with the feature would see no change.

An archived feature can be re-activated or deleted.

To archive a feature, click Entitlements > Select an active feature > Archive Feature.

Deleting Features

You can delete a feature that you might have misconfigured or one that is reaching end of life. This removes all related entitlements on catalog items and subscriptions

Only features in Draft or Archived states can be deleted.

Any entitlement configuration made for the feature is also deleted and cannot be recovered. The feature is also removed from any existing subscription it is part of.

To delete a feature, click Entitlements > Select a feature > Delete Feature.

Activity Log

Activity log tracks all the changes and events related to a feature. It displays the actual event or change, timestamp, along with the identity of who made that change or triggered that event.

Activity log is useful in debugging issues, as it allows you to view the history of events and changes associated with a feature.

Transfer Configurations

You can seamlessly transfer your configurations from one Chargebee site to another using Chargebee's Transfer Configurations. To use this feature, you need at least one Chargebee LIVE account.

By default, you can only transfer 250 features using Transfer Configurations.

FAQ

1) Can I assign entitlements to a feature in the Draft state? Yes, you can assign entitlements to a feature in the draft state at the items and subscription level. However, they only come to effect at the subscription level after activation.

2) How many features can I create on my site? The maximum number of features you can create on your site is 400.