# Flexible Environments

Flexible Environments allow users to create and manage environments outside the regular left-to-right deployment flow. This enhancement provides flexibility in orchestrating code and content workflows, empowering developers and content editors to work in a way that best suits their needs.

While the mainline environments use a horizontal deployment flow, flexible environments work differently. A flexible environment is added to an existing mainline environment and only deploys to and from that environment. Get an overview of the different types of environments in the [Environments](https://docs.umbraco.com/umbraco-cloud/begin-your-cloud-journey/project-features/environments) article.

![A Cloud project set up with two mainline environments and one flexible environment](https://3739769070-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FPzKn70Piyd2fd5UkYZGf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a54256de6a88e57c36b1447e77c69c198e174537%2Fcloud-environments.png?alt=media)

The image above shows a project setup including two mainline environments and one flexible environment attached to the left-most mainline environment.

With Flexible Environments, teams can create environments as needed, allowing for more efficient and tailored workflows.

This feature enables:

* **Parallel development and testing**: Developers can create isolated environments for different features, bug fixes, or client-specific work without impacting the main development branch.
* **Custom workflow orchestration**: Teams can define custom flows of code and content deployment rather than being restricted to a linear left-to-right approach.
* **Easier hotfixes and feature releases**: Urgent fixes can be deployed directly without being blocked by unfinished work in other environments.
* **Improved Content Management**: Content editors can create, test, and validate content changes without depending on a specific environment.

## How it Works

* A flexible environment is added and connected to a single mainline environment.
* Developers can develop and build features in the flexible environment without affecting the mainline environment.
* Once a feature is complete, it can be merged back into the mainline environment and become part of regular deployment flow.
* When changes are made to the mainline environment, they must be pulled into the flexible environment before changes can be pushed.

Learn more about the deployment process in the [Deployments](https://docs.umbraco.com/umbraco-cloud/build-and-customize-your-solution/handle-deployments-and-environments/deployment) section.

Learn more about handling merge Conflicts in Flexible Environments in the [Troubleshooting](https://docs.umbraco.com/umbraco-cloud/optimize-and-maintain-your-site/monitor-and-troubleshoot/resolve-issues-quickly-and-efficiently/deployments/merge-conflicts-on-flexible-environments) section.

## Project Prerequisites

Before you can add a Flexible environment to your project, the following prerequisites must be met:

* Uses Umbraco Version 10 or greater.
* Uses Deploy Version Greater than 10.4.1, 13.3.0, 14.2.0 or greater.

### Limitations

* Only one flexible environment is available.
* Flexible environments are available only for projects paid by credit cards or credits.
* Flexible Environments are not available for Heartcore projects.
* Learn more about pricing for Flexible Environments on the [Umbraco Pricing](https://umbraco.com/pricing/) page.

## Plans and Availability

<table><thead><tr><th width="117">Plan</th><th width="116" data-type="number">Environments</th><th width="167" data-type="checkbox">Flexible Environments</th><th>Environment Combinations Examples</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Starter</td><td>2</td><td>false</td><td><em>QA + Production</em></td></tr><tr><td>Standard</td><td>3</td><td>true</td><td><em>Flexible + QA + Production</em><br><em>Development + QA + Production</em></td></tr><tr><td>Professional</td><td>4</td><td>true</td><td><em>Flexible + Development + QA + Production</em></td></tr></tbody></table>

For more information on environment limits and pricing, visit the [Umbraco Pricing](https://umbraco.com/pricing/) page.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.umbraco.com/umbraco-cloud/begin-your-cloud-journey/project-features/flexible-environments.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.