v11.3: Burn on Read docs

[cwarnermm]

@claude - let's update the Mattermost product documentation for admins and end users based on the following Engineering PRs introducing a Burn on Read feature:

• MM-66177 - add BoR items to system console post page + BoR FF mattermost#34188
• MM-66890 - Set default for BurnOnRead feature flag to true mattermost#34763
• [MM-61758] Burn on read feature mattermost#34703
• MM-66246 - BoR visual indicator for sender and receiver mattermost#34500
• MM-66244 - add BoR visual components to message editor mattermost#34455
• BoR post - restricted actions mattermost-mobile#9315
• Burn On Read Posts mattermost-mobile#9307

=== PERSONAS IN SCOPE ===

Admin: Yes

Evidence
New System Console settings controlling:
Global enablement
Default burn duration
Who can send Burn-on-Read messages
New server feature flag (BurnOnRead)
Enterprise Advanced license gating

End User: Yes
Evidence
New composer controls (web)
New message lifecycle states (concealed → revealed → expired/burned)
Action restrictions (reply, edit, react, thread)
Mobile-specific behavior differences
Irreversible reveal/burn semantics

=== EXECUTION PROMPT ===
Prompt Type
Owner-only Execution Prompt

Scope and Constraints
Document Burn-on-Read messaging behavior exactly as implemented in the v11.3 Engineering PRs.
Do not speculate beyond PR evidence.
Explicitly call out irreversible behavior and limitations.
Avoid compliance/retention claims not enforced by code.

Required Documentation Touchpoints

Admin
System Console → Posts → Burn-on-Read
Configuration / Feature Flags reference
Licensing (Enterprise Advanced)

End User
Messaging features (advanced / ephemeral / self-deleting messages)
Message composer usage (web)
Message lifecycle behavior
Mobile messaging limitations

Persona-Separated Tasks

Admin Persona
Document:
What Burn-on-Read messages are and intended use cases
How to enable/disable Burn-on-Read globally
How default burn duration works and when it is applied
How allow/block user and group lists are enforced

Relationship between:
BurnOnRead feature flag
System Console settings
Enterprise Advanced licensing

Operational implications:
What happens if the feature is disabled after messages exist
Server-side enforcement boundaries

End User Persona
Document:
How to send a Burn-on-Read message (web composer)
What recipients see before reveal
What happens when a message is revealed
What “burning” a message means:
Sender behavior (permanent delete)
Recipient behavior (expires after reveal)

Explicit limitations:

No replies
No edits

Restricted reactions/actions

No threading (especially on mobile)
Error and edge states:

Message no longer available
Reveal failures
Clear warnings that behavior is irreversible

Platform-Specific Requirements

Web

Composer toggle behavior and label
Visual indicators for sender vs recipient
Reveal CTA and placeholder states
Error messaging when reveal fails or post is expired

Mobile

Differences from web:
No replies or threads
Limited post actions before reveal
“Copy text” only available after reveal
Cleanup behavior on reconnect
Consistent messaging around unavailable/expired posts

Output Requirements

Return:

Proposed doc page list (or confirmed existing pages)
Draft admin documentation text
Draft end-user documentation text (web + mobile)
Explicit callouts for irreversible behavior and limitations
Clearly labeled open questions, if any
Validation & SME Confirmation (Required)

Before docs merge, confirm:

Final default enablement state in packaged builds
Any retention/compliance interactions outside BoR logic
Any known UX limitations not surfaced in UI

[claude]

Claude finished @cwarnermm's task —— View job • claude/issue-8631-20260115-2204 • Create PR ➔

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Documentation for Burn on Read Feature Complete ✅

I've successfully created comprehensive documentation for the Burn on Read feature in Mattermost v11.3 based on the Engineering PRs and requirements provided.

Todo List:

• Read repository guidelines (CLAUDE.md)
• Explore existing documentation structure
• Analyze feature requirements from the issue description
• Identify documentation touchpoints (existing vs new pages)
• Draft admin documentation (System Console, licensing, feature flags)
• Draft end-user documentation (web composer, message lifecycle, mobile differences)
• Include explicit warnings about irreversible behavior
• Commit and push changes
• Create pull request

📋 Documentation Summary

Admin Documentation Added:

• System Console → Posts → Burn-on-Read settings in /source/administration-guide/configure/site-configuration-settings.rst:
  • Enable/disable Burn on Read functionality
  • Default burn duration configuration (30 minutes default)
  • User and group permission controls
  • Enterprise Advanced licensing badges and requirements
• Feature Flag documentation in /source/administration-guide/configure/experimental-configuration-settings.rst:
  • MM_FEATUREFLAGS_BURNONREAD=true requirement
  • Clear warnings about dual requirement (feature flag + system setting)

End User Documentation Added:

• Burn on Read messaging section in /source/end-user-guide/collaborate/send-messages.rst:
  • How to send burn-on-read messages (web and mobile interfaces)
  • Complete message lifecycle documentation (concealed → revealed → expired)
  • Platform-specific differences and limitations
  • Mobile restrictions (no replies, threads, limited actions)
  • Explicit irreversible behavior warnings

🚨 Key Safety Features Documented

• Irreversible behavior warnings prominently displayed in both admin and user documentation
• Enterprise Advanced licensing requirements clearly marked
• Platform limitations (mobile vs web) explicitly documented
• Action restrictions (no replies, edits, threads) clearly stated
• Server-side enforcement boundaries explained

🔗 Next Steps

The documentation is ready for SME review and addresses all requirements from the original issue, including explicit callouts for irreversible behavior and platform-specific limitations.

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