Docsfeature-flagsRuntime Events

Runtime Events: Target Users Based on Behavior

Runtime Events is part of Feature Flags, a separately priced product add-on available to organizations on the Enterprise Plan. See our pricing page for more details.

Overview

Runtime Events let you target users based on actions they perform, not just who they are. Instead of targeting cohorts or properties, you can trigger feature variants immediately when users complete specific events tracked with mixpanel.track().

Traditional targeting: “Show this variant to premium users”

Runtime Event targeting: “Show this variant after the user completes their first purchase”

When to Use Runtime Events

Runtime Events are ideal for behavior-driven experiences:

  • Onboarding flows: Show tutorial content after a user completes their first action
  • Progressive feature unlocking: Unlock advanced features after users complete key milestones
  • Conditional promotions: Display special offers after a user makes their first purchase
  • Behavior-gated experiments: Run experiments only on users who have demonstrated engagement

How Runtime Events Work

Think of Runtime Events as a “tripwire” that activates once. Here’s the flow:

Before the Event

  1. User requests flag evaluation from your app
  2. The flag service recognizes the user hasn’t triggered the event yet
  3. The SDK watches for the specified event

When the Event Occurs

  1. User performs the tracked event (e.g., “Purchase Complete”)
  2. The SDK reports the event to Mixpanel

After the Event

  1. On subsequent flag evaluations, the user now receives the active variant
  2. The variant persists based on your duration setting (session or indefinitely)
  3. If the variant is sticky, the user continues receiving it even if rollout changes

Configuring Runtime Events

To add a Runtime Event targeting rule to your feature flag:

Navigate to Rollout Groups

Open your feature flag and scroll to the Rollout Groups section. Click on a rollout group card or create a new one.

Add a Runtime Event Filter

When adding a new filter, navigate to + Create New, then click on Runtime Event to add a new runtime event filter.

Select the Event

Click on the event dropdown (shows “Select Event” initially) and choose the Mixpanel event you want to trigger on. This can be any event tracked via mixpanel.track().

For example: Purchase, Sign Up Complete, Dashboard Viewed

Configure Time Window

The “While Flag Enabled” dropdown controls when events count toward activation. Currently, only events that occur while the flag is enabled will activate the variant.

Only events that occur after the flag is enabled count toward activation. Historical events from before the flag was created or enabled are not counted.

(Optional) Add First Time Filter

Click the overflow menu (…) and select “First Time” to make this a first-time event trigger.

When enabled, a second row appears showing:

  • “for the” First Time “until” [Duration]

The Duration dropdown offers:

  • End of Session: Variant expires when the user’s session ends
  • Indefinitely: Variant persists in subsequent sessions

(Optional) Add Property Filters

Click ”+ Filter” to add conditions on event properties. This lets you target more specific behaviors.

For example:

  • Event: Purchase where amount > 100 (only high-value purchases)
  • Event: Page View where page_path contains '/checkout' (only checkout views)

Assign Variants

On the right side of the rollout card, configure which variant users receive when they trigger the event. You can set variant splits (e.g., 50% variant A, 50% variant B) just like standard targeting.

Save the Flag

Click Save to activate your configuration. The SDK will begin watching for the specified event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Runtime Events with cohort targeting?

Yes. You can combine Runtime Events with cohort targeting using AND logic. For example, “Premium users who complete their first purchase.”

What happens if I disable and re-enable the flag?

The flag’s “enabled at” timestamp updates. Users who previously triggered the event must perform it again after re-enablement to receive the variant.

Are Runtime Events supported on server-side SDKs?

Runtime Events are designed for client-side SDKs that can monitor events in real-time. Server-side implementations are not supported.

How quickly does the variant activate after an event?

The variant activates on the next call to getVariant or isEnabled after the event is reported.

Related Documentation

Response Times

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