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GOV.UK Service Manual alpha phase guidance
Explains that alpha tests riskiest assumptions with prototypes, should not be available for public use, is not production-quality code, and helps decide whether to move to beta.
Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase / beta banner | Choose phase / beta banner when the whole service is in alpha, private beta, or public beta and users need a service-wide maturity signal. | The phase banner appears consistently across all pages in the service while the phase applies. | GOV.UK Service Manual explains alpha as limited prototype testing of risky assumptions and says alpha services should not be available for public production use. |
Evidence Role
This source is treated as service-manual evidence. Use it to validate the decision rules above, not as a visual style reference.
Publisher: GOV.UK Service Manual. Last checked: .