1. Overview

Note: While early access features are generally stable enough for evaluation and usage, they are not yet recommended for business-critical processes.

1.1 Purpose of early access features

1. Validate their functionality and performance in real-world scenarios
   
2. Identify usability gaps and edge cases before full release
   
3. Share feedback to refine the feature
   

Note: The design and behavior of early access features are subject to change as we continue to refine them based on feedback. Support may be limited until the feature reaches general availability, and such features may be modified, replaced, or removed if they do not align with our long-term product roadmap.

 2. Setup Early Access Features

1. On the left panel of the Zoho Creator dashboard, navigate to Operations under Manage > Early Access Features under Applications. A wizard popup will appear.
   
   
2. After reading the description, click the Join Early Access button to proceed to the next popup.
   
   
3. Click Explore Early Access to start exploring, testing, and shaping what’s next inside Creator on the Early Access Features page.
   
   

3. How to enable and use early access features

1. Explored through its description
   
2. Enabled/disabled using the toggle switch beside it
   
3. Learned through help articles and videos
   
4. Tested in supported modules or workflows
   

Only super admin and admins can enable early access features. After enabling, developers, live users, and portal users can access them based on their Creator account's pricing plan.

1. In the left panel of the Zoho Creator dashboard, navigate to Operations under Manage > Early Access Features under Applications.
   
   
2. Turn on the Enable to Try toggle switch in the preferred early access feature card.
   
   
3. Click Enable in the popup that appears.
   
   

Note: Certain features can be disabled as required and the existing configurations will be retained. However, a few features cannot be disabled after they are enabled which will be conveyed in the popup that appears.

4. Feature cards and their statuses

1. Title and tags: Displays the feature name along with its current release status as New, indicating that the early access feature has been recently introduced.
   
2. Toggle button: Allows you to enable or disable the feature based on your organization’s requirements. Status messages: Indicates the current lifecycle state of the feature, including availability, rollout updates, or upcoming changes.
   
3. Description: Provides a brief overview of what the feature does and the value it offers.
   
4. Where to access: Shows the exact location within the product where the feature can be found and used.
   
5. What the feature can do (capabilities): Highlights the key functionalities and use cases supported by the feature.
   
6. Actions like Help Article, Watch Video: Provides quick access to the feature's related documentation, and guided video walkthroughs.
   
7. Feedback: Lets you add feedback for features, which will then be automatically routed to the respective support agent and will be reviewed before its general rollout.
   

5. Submit and view feedback

1. Feature usability
   
2. Issues or functional gaps
   
3. Suggestions for improvement
   
4. Performance observations
   
5. Documentation or clarity requests
   

1. Click the Submit Feedback button beneath the required early access feature. A popup will appear.
   
   
2. Choose the Feedback type - Suggestion, Bug or Others, and enter your description (up to 1000 characters).
   
   
3. Click Submit once you've added your feedback.
   

1. Click on the added feedback beneath the required feature card to view all feedback shared by admins and the super admin within your organization for that feature.
   
2. In the expanded Feedback pane, you can switch between the All feedbacks or Posted by me tabs as required.
   
1. All feedbacks - Displays all feedback submitted by super admin and admins across your organization for this feature.
   
2. Posted by me - Shows only the feedback entries that you have submitted.
   
   
3. Click the Close button to collapse this pane.
   

7. Early access to general rollout

1. Feature introduced - This indicates that the early access feature has been recently introduced and will be displayed as "New".
   
2. To-be published soon feature - This means that the feature will be made available to all users on the mentioned date.
   
3. Feature published - The feature becomes fully supported and will be available to all users. This also means that this feature will be removed from early access soon. Your existing configurations if any will remain unchanged, ensuring uninterrupted usage.
   

Info: Users will see a notification on the feature card when a transition is planned, along with recommended next steps.

8. Best practices for using early access features

1. Test the enabled early access features only in development environment, without affecting the live application
   
2. Avoid using early access features in critical workflows
   
3. Review feature descriptions and limitations (if any) before enabling. watch for updates in release notes and read relevant help articles
   
4. Report any issues early and share detailed feedback regularly
   
5. Try to include specific examples or steps when providing feedback that can help developers reproduce an issue
   
6. Monitor status changes like Published or Deprecated
   

 9. Related topics 

1. Understanding application themes
   
2. Understanding rebranded mobile app metrics