---
title: Forced Decision methods for the JavaScript (Browser) SDK prior to v6
slug: feature-experimentation/docs/forced-decision-methods-javascript-browser-prior-to-v6
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-08-05T20:39:50.000Z
---

These methods help test and debug various flows of your client applications by forcing users into a specific variation.

The JavaScript (Browser) SDK checks forced decisions before making any decisions.

If a matching item is found for the requested flag, [audience conditions](docId\:UDBvr5a8WHNkyOqzPhOr9) and traffic allocation are ignored, and the SDK returns the forced decision immediately before making normal decisions.

The JavaScript (Browser) SDK checks for forced decisions at the start of each decision process. If a matching forced decision is found, it returns the decision immediately.

- **Flag-to-Decision** – The SDK checks at the start of any decide call for the given flag.
- **Experiment-Rule-to-Decision** – The SDK checks at the start of the decision for the given experiment rule of the flag key.
- **Delivery-Rule-to-Decision** – The SDK checks at the start of the decision for the given delivery rule of the flag key.

:::hint{type="danger"}
**Warning**
You must associate your variations to a [flag rule](docId:-yq2-thNRv7-SgwCXpG90) before calling any Forced Decision methods.
:::

On forced decisions, SDK fires impression events and notifications just like other normal decisions (unless disabled by the [disableDecisionEvent](docId\:SlmvozhQJ1rmI6AIIoqql) option).

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
These forced decisions are not persistent and are cleared when the [OptimizelyUserContext](docId\:OExtupzmm3AyVp8uWgIoC) is re-initialized.
:::

For information about each method, click on the method name.

- [setForcedDecision](docId:_tJtaK1gdRH1Glk5esaAn)
- [getForcedDecision](docId:_tJtaK1gdRH1Glk5esaAn)
- [removeForcedDecision](docId:_tJtaK1gdRH1Glk5esaAn)
- [removeAllForcedDecisions](docId:_tJtaK1gdRH1Glk5esaAn)

### OptimizelyDecisionContext

```typescript
export interface OptimizelyDecisionContext {
  flagKey: string;
  ruleKey?: string;
}
```

### OptimizelyForcedDecision

```typescript
export interface OptimizelyForcedDecision {
  variationKey: string;
}
```

## Set forced decision method - setForcedDecision()

### Version

4.9.0

### Description

Sets a forced decision (`variationKey`) for a given `OptimizelyDecisionContext`.

### Parameters

This table lists the required and optional parameters for the Javascript SDK.

| Parameter                  | Type      | Description                                                                                                                                  |
| -------------------------- | --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **context** \*required\*   | Interface | An instance of \`OptimizelyDecisionContext\` with the required \`flagKey\` and optional \`ruleKey\` for the forced decision you want to set. |
| **decision**\ \*required\* | Interface | An instance of \`OptimizelyForcedDecision\` with the required \`variationKey\` for the forced decision you want to set.                      |

### Returns

A boolean value that indicates if setting the forced decision (`variationKey`) was completed.

### Example

See the full Javascript SDK example [here](docId:_tJtaK1gdRH1Glk5esaAn).

## Get forced decision method - getForcedDecision()

### Version

4.9.0

### Description

Returns the forced decision (`variationKey`) for a given `OptimizelyDecisionContext`. Returns the `OptimizelyForcedDecision` instance or null if there is no matching item.

### Parameters

This table lists the required and optional parameters for the Javascript SDK.

| Parameter                | Type      | Description                                                                                                                                  |
| ------------------------ | --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **context** \*required\* | Interface | An instance of \`OptimizelyDecisionContext\` with the required \`flagKey\` and optional \`ruleKey\` for the forced decision you want to get. |

### Returns

A forced decision `OptimizelyForcedDecision` instance for the context or null if there is no matching item.

### Example

See the [full Javascript (Browser) SDK example](docId:_tJtaK1gdRH1Glk5esaAn).

## Remove forced decision method - removeForcedDecision()

### Version

4.9.0

### Description

Removes the forced decision (`variationKey`) for a given `OptimizelyDecisionContext`.

### Parameters

This table lists the required and optional parameters for the Javascript SDK.

| Parameters               | Type   | Description                                                                                                                                     |
| ------------------------ | ------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **context** \*required\* | struct | An instance of \`OptimizelyDecisionContext\` with the required \`flagKey\` and optional \`ruleKey\` for the forced decision you want to remove. |

### Returns

A success/failure boolean status if the forced decision (`variationKey`) was removed.

### Example

See the [full Javascript (Browser) SDK example](docId:_tJtaK1gdRH1Glk5esaAn).

## Remove all forced decisions method - removeAllForcedDecisions()

### Version

4.9.0

### Description

Removes all forced decisions (`variationKey`) for the user context.

### Parameters

This table lists the required and optional parameters for the Javascript SDK.

| Parameters | Type | Description |
| ---------- | ---- | ----------- |
| None       | N/A  | N/A         |

### Returns

A success/failure boolean status.

### Example

See the [full Javascript (Browser) SDK example](docId:_tJtaK1gdRH1Glk5esaAn).

## Full Code Example

```javascript
import { createInstance } from '@optimizely/optimizely-sdk';

const optimizely = createInstance({
  sdkKey: '<YOUR_SDK_KEY>'// Provide the sdkKey of your desired environment here
});

if (optimizely) {
  optimizely.onReady().then(({ success, reason }) => {
    if (!success) {
      throw new Error(reason);
    }

    const attributes = { logged_in: true };
    const user = optimizely.createUserContext('user123', attributes);
    if (!user) {
      throw new Error('failed to create user context');
    }

    let result, decision, forcedDecision;

    // set a forced decision for a flag
    result = user.setForcedDecision({flagKey: 'flag-1'}, {variationKey: 'off'});
    decision = user.decide('flag-1');

    // set a forced decision for an ab-test rule
    result = user.setForcedDecision({flagKey: 'flag-2', ruleKey: 'ab-test-1'}, {variationKey: 'variation-b'});
    decision = user.decide('flag-2');

    // set a forced variation for a delivery rule
    result = user.setForcedDecision({flagKey: 'flag-3', ruleKey: 'delivery-1'}, {variationKey: 'on'});
    decision = user.decide('flag-3');

    // get forced variations
    forcedDecision = user.getForcedDecision({flagKey: 'flag-2'});

    // remove forced variations
    result = user.removeForcedDecision({flagKey: 'flag-2', ruleKey: 'ab-test-1'});
    user.removeAllForcedDecisions();
    user.decideAll();

  }).catch((err) => {
    console.log(err);
    // handle error
  });
} else {
  // handle instantiation error
}
```

## See Also

[OptimizelyUserContext](docId\:OExtupzmm3AyVp8uWgIoC)