Notes on Optimizely Self-Optimizing Block

While the free A/B Testing might be dead, the Self-Optimizing Block is still alive and kicking. Here's some notes for those debugging it.

Installation

You can install the self-optimising block with the non-obvious package name `EPiServer.Cms.AddOns.Blocks` from https://nuget.optimizely.com/package/?id=EPiServer.Cms.AddOns.Blocks 

Ensure you have `app.UseSessions()` in your `Startup.cs` (thanks Arjan!)

You will then be able to create instances of "Self Optimizing Block" using the CMS.

Missing renderer

If for some reason you have a block called "OptimizingBlock" in your CMS it likely means the "Self Optimizing Block" package is no longer installed. You can verify this by going to the CMS admin > Content Types and searching for it to see if it is From code: No

If you install the package it should spring back to action and restore itself as "Self Optimizing Block".