Implement planned downtime/maintenance mode #129
Description
Description
Add a maintenance mode system to allow for planned downtime when performing production updates, database migrations, or other operations that require taking the app offline temporarily.
Requirements
- Ability to schedule/enable maintenance mode
- Display user-friendly maintenance page during downtime
- Optional: Show estimated time until service restoration
- Easy on/off toggle (environment variable, admin panel, or feature flag)
Potential Approaches
- Feature flag - Toggle via environment variable or config
- Admin panel control - Enable/disable through dashboard
- Scheduled maintenance - Set start/end times in advance
- Static maintenance page - Served via nginx/reverse proxy
- Database flag - Check maintenance status on each request
Tasks
- Decide on implementation approach
- Design maintenance page UI
- Implement maintenance mode toggle mechanism
- Add middleware to redirect to maintenance page when enabled
- Test that critical admin routes still work during maintenance (if needed)
- Document how to enable/disable maintenance mode
- Optional: Add countdown timer or ETA on maintenance page
Acceptance Criteria
- Can easily enable maintenance mode before production work
- Users see clear maintenance message instead of errors
- Can quickly disable maintenance mode when work is complete
- Doesn't require full deployment to toggle on/off