Description

Ensure Development Mode is turned off for production zones. Development Mode temporarily bypasses Cloudflare's cache so that changes on the origin are visible immediately, and it should only be used briefly while making changes.

Rationale

While Development Mode is on, cached content is bypassed and all requests go to the origin. This increases load on the origin and can make it easier to overwhelm during traffic spikes or attacks. Keeping it off in production makes sure caching and performance protections stay active.

Impact

  • Caching stays active and protects the origin

  • Reduces origin load and cost

  • Changes on the origin may take time to appear until the cache is purged

Default Value

By default, Development Mode is off. When turned on, it turns off automatically after 3 hours.

Pre-Requisites

  • Cloudflare account with Administrator or Cache permissions for the zone

Test Plan

  1. Sign in to the Cloudflare dashboard at https://dash.cloudflare.com.

  2. Select your account and the domain (zone) you want to review.

  3. Go to Caching > Configuration.

  4. Verify that Development Mode is turned off.

  5. If it is on, follow the implementation steps.

Implementation Steps

  1. Sign in to the Cloudflare dashboard at https://dash.cloudflare.com.

  2. Select your account and the domain (zone) you want to review.

  3. Go to Caching > Configuration.

  4. Turn off Development Mode.

  5. If you need recent changes to appear, use Purge Cache instead.

Backout Plan

  1. Sign in to the Cloudflare dashboard at https://dash.cloudflare.com.

  2. Select your account and the domain (zone) you want to review.

  3. Go to Caching > Configuration.

  4. Turn on Development Mode. It turns off automatically after 3 hours.

Reference