---
url: https://docs.corbitaltech.dev/products/feedback-flow/faq.md
---
# Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about FeedbackFlow installation, features, licensing, and usage.

## General Questions

### What is FeedbackFlow?

FeedbackFlow is a self-hosted feature request, feedback, roadmap, and changelog management system. It helps you collect, organize, and prioritize user feedback while keeping users informed about your product development.

**Key features**:

* Feature request submission and voting
* Commenting and discussions
* Public roadmap
* Changelog publishing
* Email notifications
* OAuth login (Google, GitHub, Facebook, Envato)
* Optional AI-powered spam detection and content generation
* Board-based organization
* Custom fields and workflows

### Is FeedbackFlow SaaS or self-hosted?

FeedbackFlow is **self-hosted only** (single-tenant). You install it on your own server and have full control over your data, customization, and configuration.

There is no SaaS version or multi-tenant functionality.

### What makes FeedbackFlow different?

* **Self-hosted**: Full data ownership and control
* **Single product focus**: Not multi-tenant, optimized for single product use
* **Built on Laravel 12**: Modern, secure, maintainable codebase
* **Vue 3 + Inertia.js**: Fast, reactive frontend
* **Optional AI features**: Use your own API keys for spam detection and content generation
* **Highly customizable**: Boards, custom fields, workflows, theming
* **Envato OAuth**: Built-in support for Envato buyers (useful for plugin/theme developers)

## Installation & Setup

### What are the system requirements?

**Minimum requirements**:

* PHP 8.3 or higher
* MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+
* Composer
* Node.js 18+ and npm
* Web server (Apache/Nginx)

**Recommended**:

* Redis for caching and queues
* Supervisor for queue workers
* SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt)
* Cron access for scheduled tasks

See: [System Requirements](/products/feedback-flow/introduction/system-requirements)

### How do I install FeedbackFlow?

FeedbackFlow uses a **web-based installer**:

1. Upload files to your server
2. Point domain to `/public` directory
3. Visit `https://yourdomain.com/install`
4. Follow the installation wizard
5. Configure email, queues, and cron

See: [Installation Guide](/products/feedback-flow/getting-started/installation)

### Do I need technical knowledge to install it?

Basic knowledge helpful:

* Uploading files via FTP/SFTP
* Creating MySQL databases
* Configuring DNS/domains
* Basic command line (for cron setup)

The web installer handles most complexity, but you'll need to configure:

* Cron jobs (for scheduled tasks)
* Queue workers (for background jobs)
* Email (SMTP settings)

### Can I install on shared hosting?

**Maybe**, but not recommended.

**Requirements for shared hosting**:

* PHP 8.3+
* Cron access
* Ability to run queue workers
* Sufficient memory (256MB+ PHP memory limit)
* SSH access (helpful but not required)

**Better options**:

* VPS (DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode)
* Managed Laravel hosting (Laravel Forge, Ploi, RunCloud)
* Cloud hosting (AWS, Google Cloud)

### How do I update FeedbackFlow?

**Via web interface**:

1. **Admin → System Updates**
2. Check for updates
3. Download and apply

**Manual update**:

1. Backup database and files
2. Upload new files
3. Run: `php artisan migrate`
4. Clear cache: `php artisan optimize:clear`

See: [System Updates](/products/feedback-flow/admin/system-updates)

## Features & Functionality

### Can users submit feedback without logging in?

Yes, if configured:

* **Settings → Board Settings → Allow Guest Submissions**
* Guests can submit requests (with email)
* Must login to vote or comment

Or require login for all actions.

### Can I have multiple products/boards?

Yes! Create multiple boards:

* Each board can represent a product, feature area, or category
* Separate branding, settings, permissions per board
* Users can browse all boards or filter to specific ones

See: [Board Management](/products/feedback-flow/features/boards/creating-boards)

### How does voting work?

**Voting**:

* Users apply vote feature requests on which they want
* Vote counts displayed publicly
* Can filter/sort by vote count

**Vote limits**:

* Unlimited votes by default
* Configure per-board limits if desired

See: [Voting System](/products/feedback-flow/features/voting)

### What are custom fields?

Custom fields add extra information to feature requests:

* Text, number, date, dropdown, checkbox
* Required or optional
* Per-board configuration

**Examples**:

* "Urgency" dropdown
* "Expected Revenue" number field
* "Contract End Date" date field

Custom fields help you gather structured data beyond the basic title/description.

### How does the roadmap work?

The roadmap is a **public page** showing planned, in-progress, and completed features:

1. Map statuses to roadmap columns (Settings)
2. Change feature request status to "Planned", "In Progress", or "Completed"
3. Request automatically appears on roadmap

**Customizable**:

* Choose which statuses appear
* Filter by board, category, priority
* Timeline view (optional)
* Public or login-required

See: [Roadmap Management](/products/feedback-flow/features/roadmap)

### Can I merge duplicate feature requests?

Yes! Admins can:

1. Select duplicate request
2. Choose "Merge" action
3. Select parent request
4. Votes and comments transferred automatically

See: [Merging Duplicates](/products/feedback-flow/features/feature-requests/merging)

## AI Features

### Are AI features required?

No, AI features are **completely optional**:

* FeedbackFlow works fully without AI
* All AI features disabled by default
* Enable only what you need

### What AI features are available?

1. **Spam Detection**: Detect spam, hate speech, toxicity
2. **Content Generation (AutoPilot)**: Generate changelog drafts and comment replies
3. **Trust Score System**: User reputation system (enhanced by AI)

See: [AI Features Overview](/products/feedback-flow/ai-features/overview)

### Do I need to pay for AI features?

**FeedbackFlow** doesn't charge for AI features, but you need:

* API key from AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, etc.)
* Pay provider directly for API usage
* Costs typically $0.10-2.00 per 1,000 API calls

**Free tier options**:

* Google Gemini has generous free tier
* Or use local keyword-based detection (no API needed)

### Which AI providers are supported?

**Spam Detection**:

* OpenAI
* Anthropic (Claude)
* Google Gemini
* Azure Content Safety
* Google Perspective API
* Tisane AI

**Content Generation**:

* OpenAI (GPT models)
* Anthropic (Claude)
* Google Gemini
* Mistral AI

See: [AI Features Setup](/products/feedback-flow/ai-features/overview)

## Email & Notifications

### How do I configure email?

1. **Settings → Email Configuration**
2. Enter SMTP details (Gmail, SendGrid, Mailgun, etc.)
3. Test email connection
4. Configure notification preferences

**Common providers**:

* Gmail (requires App Password)
* SendGrid (generous free tier)
* Mailgun
* Amazon SES
* Custom SMTP server

See: [Email Configuration](/products/feedback-flow/configuration/email-configuration)

### What email notifications are sent?

**User notifications**:

* New comment on their request
* Status change on their request
* Reply to their comment
* Mention in comment
* Feature completion
* Weekly digest (optional)

**Admin notifications**:

* New feature request submitted
* New comment posted
* User flagged content

**All configurable** per-user and system-wide.

See: [Email Preferences](/products/feedback-flow/email/preferences)

## Integrations

### Does FeedbackFlow have an API?

Yes, built on **Laravel Sanctum**:

* RESTful API
* Token-based authentication
* Full CRUD operations
* Rate limiting included

**Use cases**:

* Custom integrations
* Mobile apps
* External dashboards
* Automation tools

### Can I integrate with Slack?

Yes!

* **Settings → Integrations → Slack**
* Enter webhook URL
* Choose which events trigger notifications

**Events**:

* New feature requests
* Status changes
* Comments
* Votes milestones

See: [Slack Integration](/products/feedback-flow/integrations/slack)

### What are webhooks?

Webhooks send HTTP POST requests when events occur:

**Available events**:

* Feature request created/updated/deleted
* Comment posted
* Vote added
* Status changed
* Changelog published

**Use cases**:

* Trigger automation (Zapier, Make)
* Sync with external tools
* Custom integrations
* Analytics tracking

See: [Webhooks](/products/feedback-flow/integrations/webhooks)

## Licensing & Usage

### What license does FeedbackFlow use?

FeedbackFlow is sold on **Envato CodeCanyon** under the **Regular License**:

* Use for single product/domain
* Full source code access
* Free updates
* Support included

**Extended License** available for:

* SaaS applications (if you build one on top)
* Resale or redistribution

### Can I use it for multiple products?

**With Regular License**: One installation per license.

For multiple products/domains:

* Purchase multiple licenses
* Or use boards to separate products within one installation

### Can I modify the code?

Yes! Full source code included:

* Customize as needed
* Add features
* Modify design
* Integrate with your systems

**Best practice**: Track changes for easier updates.

### Do I get free updates?

Yes, free updates included:

* Bug fixes
* Security patches
* New features
* Laravel/dependency updates

Check: **Admin → System Updates**

### What support is included?

**Included with purchase**:

* 6 months support via Envato
* Installation help
* Configuration guidance
* Bug fixes

**Extended support** available for purchase.

**Community**:

* Documentation (this site)
* GitHub issues (if available)

## Security & Privacy

### Is FeedbackFlow secure?

Yes, built with security in mind:

* Laravel 12 framework (security updates)
* CSRF protection
* SQL injection prevention (Eloquent ORM)
* XSS protection
* Password hashing (bcrypt)
* Rate limiting
* Optional reCAPTCHA

**Best practices**:

* Use HTTPS (SSL certificate)
* Keep updated
* Strong passwords
* Regular backups
* Secure server configuration

**Security best practices**:

* Keep software updated
* Use strong passwords
* Enable 2FA for admin accounts
* Configure SSL/HTTPS
* Regular backups
* Monitor logs for suspicious activity

### Where is data stored?

**Self-hosted**: All data stored on your server:

* Database (MySQL)
* File uploads (local storage)
* No third-party data sharing

**Optional external services**:

* AI providers (if enabled)
* OAuth providers (Google, GitHub, etc.)
* Email SMTP service

### Is it GDPR compliant?

FeedbackFlow provides tools for GDPR compliance:

* User data export
* Account deletion
* Privacy policy page
* Cookie consent (configure)
* Email unsubscribe

**Your responsibility**:

* Privacy policy content
* Terms of service
* Cookie consent implementation
* Data processing agreements

### Can users delete their data?

Yes:

* Users can delete their own account
* **Profile → Delete Account**
* Or admin can delete user data
* Optionally anonymize instead of delete

## Technical Support

### Something isn't working, where do I get help?

1. **Check documentation**: Most issues covered here
2. **Common troubleshooting**: Check server requirements, verify file permissions, review error logs, and ensure proper database configuration
3. **Logs**: Check `storage/logs/laravel.log`
4. **Envato support**: Via your purchase page
5. **Community**: GitHub issues or forums (if available)

### How do I report a bug?

1. Check if already reported
2. Gather information:
   * Steps to reproduce
   * Error messages
   * Laravel log excerpts
   * Environment (PHP version, server, etc.)
3. Contact via Envato support
4. Or GitHub issues (if available)

### Can I request new features?

Yes! Feature requests welcome:

* Via Envato support
* GitHub discussions (if available)
* Or use FeedbackFlow itself for feature requests!

### Do you offer customization services?

Contact via Envato profile for:

* Custom feature development
* Theme customization
* Integration development
* Migration services
* Training/consultation