Soft Launch Security Checklist: 12 Items Before Limited Release

January 2026Launch Security

TL;DR

A soft launch lets you test with real users at low risk. Before releasing to a limited audience, ensure core security works (auth, data isolation), set up error tracking, have rapid deployment ready, and keep the scope intentionally small to learn quickly.

Core Security 4

Authentication worksUsers can sign up, log in, and reset passwords.

Data isolation verifiedUsers can't access each other's data.

HTTPS enabledAll traffic should be encrypted.

Secrets not in codeAPI keys in environment variables, not committed.

Learning Infrastructure 4

Error tracking enabledSentry or similar to catch issues early.

Basic analytics in placeUnderstand how users interact with your product.

Feedback mechanism readyEasy way for soft launch users to report issues.

Rapid deployment pipelineCan you ship fixes within hours?

Scope Management 4

Access is controlledInvite codes, waitlist, or similar to limit users.

Feature scope is limitedOnly launch what you need to learn from.

Backup strategy in placeEven soft launch data matters. Back it up.

Exit strategy readyKnow how to pause or shut down if needed.

What's the difference between soft launch and beta?

They're similar. Soft launch often implies the product is more polished but you're limiting exposure to control growth. Beta implies users expect rougher edges. Both need core security.

How many users should a soft launch have?

Enough to get feedback, few enough to handle personally. Typically 10-100 users. The goal is learning, not scale. You can always expand.

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