What is Salesforce CLI? Everything you Need to Know

Let’s say that you’re a developer juggling multiple Salesforce projects, each with its own set of challenges and deadlines. Considering this scenario, wouldn’t it be amazing to have a tool that simplifies your workflow and boosts your productivity? This is where the Salesforce CLI enters, a powerful Command-line Interface designed to streamline your development and deployment processes. Be it for automating repetitive tasks or managing complex environments, this tool has got you covered. 

But what exactly makes this tool indispensable for Salesforce professionals? Or how can mastering this tool transform your working strategy? In this blog, we’ll explore its key features, commands and practical applications. Dive in to learn about the Salesforce CLI and revolutionise your Salesforce experience!

Table of Contents 

1) What is Salesforce CLI?

2) How to Install Salesforce CLI?

3) How to use Salesforce CLI?

4) Benefits of Salesforce CLI

5) Basic Commands of Salesforce CLI

6) Advanced Commands of Salesforce CLI

7) Tips and Best Practices for Salesforce CLI

8) Conclusion

What is Salesforce CLI?

The Salesforce CLI is a robust Command-line Interface tool crafted to assist developers and administrators in streamlining their tasks. It enables them to control Salesforce environments, automate repetitive tasks, and efficiently manage the Salesforce Development lifecycle. With this tool, you can effortlessly design, deploy, and manage Salesforce applications using straightforward commands.

You can use the tool for the following activities:

a) Exporting and importing data

b) Managing and creating orgs

c) Executing tests

d) Synchronising source to and from scratch orgs

e) Creating and installing packages 

How to Install Salesforce CLI?

Installing the Salesforce CLI is a straightforward process that enables you to interact with Salesforce directly from your command line. Before you start, ensure you have the necessary system requirements and permissions to install software on your machine. Here are the steps to install it:

1) Steps to Install Salesforce CLI on Your Mac System

On macOS, the sf and sfdx executables for Salesforce CLI are installed. Here are the steps to install this tool on a Mac:

1) Download the .pkg file

2) Run the .pkg file by double-clicking it in Finder and follow the prompts

3) Complete the installation

4) Restart your IDEs or Terminal to ensure the CLI is properly installed

2) Steps to Install Salesforce CLI on Your Windows System

The Windows system installer includes the sf and sfdx executables. Here’s a step-by-step guide for installing Salesforce CLI on a Windows system using a .exe file:

1) Download the .exe file

2) Run the executable by double-clicking it in Windows Explorer

3) Follow the prompts to complete the installation

4) After installation, restart PowerShell, IDEs, or command prompts to ensure Salesforce CLI functions correctly.

How to use Salesforce CLI?

Salesforce CLI is a powerful tool that allows you to interact with your Salesforce environment through text commands. Once installed, you can perform various actions by entering specific commands. Let’s explore and how to use these commands effectively:

Getting Started

To see all available commands in Salesforce CLI, you can use the following command:

Plain Text sf commands

This command lists all the commands that the CLI accepts. You’ll notice that these commands are grouped into logical namespaces such as alias, auth, config, and force.

1) Namespaces and Their Functions

1) Alias:

The alias namespace controls login aliases, which are user-friendly names for login credentials approved for CLI usage.

List Aliases:

Plain Text sf alias list

2) Auth:

The auth namespace allows Salesforce organisations to utilise the CLI. It includes subcategories based on the authorisation method.

Login Using Web Browser:

Plain Text sf org login web -a DeveloperSandbox

3) Config:

The config namespace lets you set and edit configuration variables that other commands can use, such as the default username or API version.

Get Default Username:

Plain Text sfdx config:get defaultusername

4) Force:

The force namespace is the most extensive and frequently used. It includes commands for interacting with an organisation, such as retrieving and deploying metadata, creating scratch orgs or sandboxes, and managing data.

Deploy Metadata:

Plain Text sfdx force:source:deploy -m CustomObjects

2) Using Commands with Parameters

Commands often require parameters to specify the action you want to perform. Parameters can be short (preceded by a single hyphen) or long (preceded by double hyphens). For example, to deploy a specific Apex class, you can use:

Plain Text sfdx force:source:deploy -m ApexClass:MyApexClass

In this command, -m is the short parameter for --metadata, and ApexClass:MyApexClass specifies the metadata to deploy.

Benefits of Salesforce CLI 

Salesforce CLI offers numerous benefits to developers and administrators. Here are some key advantages: 

a) Salesforce CLI streamlines sales operations by providing a Command-line Interface for executing tasks, eliminating the need for manual and time-consuming point-and-click operations. 

b) With the tool, you can automate repetitive tasks and write scripts to perform complex operations, saving valuable time and reducing the risk of errors. 

c) CLI seamlessly integrates with version control systems like Git, allowing you to track changes, collaborate with team members, and maintain code integrity. 

d) The CLI offers a wide range of commands and options, providing flexibility to adapt to your unique business requirements and scale your sales processes effectively. 

e) The tool enables efficient data management by offering commands to query, manipulate, and import data, empowering you to maintain accurate and up-to-date information in your CRM using Salesforce tools. 

f) With the Salesforce tool, multiple team members can work simultaneously on different aspects of sales management, enhancing collaboration and productivity within your organisation. 

g) The tool seamlessly integrates with DevOps practices, allowing for seamless deployments, continuous integration, and delivery of customisations and enhancements to your Salesforce environment. 

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Basic Commands of Salesforce CLI   

Mastering the basic commands of Salesforce CLI is essential for effective sales management. Here are ten fundamental commands to get you started: 

a) Authenticate With Salesforce: Use the command "sfdx force:auth:web:login" to authenticate your Salesforce CLI session and establish a secure connection with your Salesforce org. 

b) Switch Between Orgs: The command "sfdx force:org:list" allows you to view a list of all authorised Salesforce orgs. You can switch between orgs using the command "sfdx force:org:switch -u " and replacing "" with the desired Salesforce org username or alias. 

c) Create Objects: To create custom objects in your Salesforce org, utilise the command "sfdx force:object:create" followed by the necessary parameters and field definitions. 

d) Retrieve Data: Use the command "sfdx force:data:soql:query" to execute SOQL queries and retrieve data from your Salesforce org. Specify the query and receive the results directly in your CLI. 

e) Update and Delete Records: With the "sfdx force:data:record:update" and "sfdx force:data:record:delete" commands, you can update and delete records in your Salesforce org by specifying the object type and record ID. 

f) Deploy Metadata Changes: The command "sfdx force:source:deploy" enables you to deploy metadata changes from your local files or a version control system to your Salesforce org. Specify the source directory or file to initiate the deployment. 

g) Retrieve Metadata Changes: Use the command "sfdx force:source:retrieve" to retrieve metadata changes from your Salesforce org and update your local project files. Specify the components or metadata types you wish to retrieve. 

h) Execute Anonymous Apex: With the command "sfdx force:apex:execute", you can run anonymous Apex code snippets directly from the command line. Enter your code and witness the results instantly. 

i) Run Tests: Ensure the integrity of your Apex code with the command "sfdx force:apex:test:run". Execute your unit tests and receive detailed reports on test coverage, pass/fail results, and any encountered errors. 

j) View Log Files: Access and examine log files generated during deployments or Apex executions using the command "sfdx force:apex:log:list" and "sfdx force:apex:log:get". Retrieve and analyse log data for effective troubleshooting. 

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Advanced Commands of Salesforce CLI   

As you become more proficient in Salesforce CLI, exploring advanced commands will unlock additional capabilities for your sales management. Here are five advanced commands to take your CLI skills to the next level: 

a) Retrieve and Deploy Metadata: The command "sfdx force:source:pull" allows you to retrieve metadata changes from your Salesforce org to your local project directory. Conversely, the command "sfdx force:source:push" deploys local metadata changes to your Salesforce org, ensuring synchronisation between environments. 

b) Execute Apex Tests: Use the command "sfdx force:apex:test:run" with the "--testlevel" parameter to specify the test level (e.g., RunLocalTests, RunAllTestsInOrg) and execute comprehensive Apex tests to ensure code quality and integrity. 

c)  Work With Sandboxes: Salesforce CLI enables seamless interaction with sandboxes through commands such as "sfdx force:org:list --all" to view a list of all authorised orgs, including sandboxes. You can also switch between sandboxes using the "sfdx force:org:open -u " command. 

d) Retrieve and Deploy Metadata From ZIP Files: The command "sfdx force:mdapi:retrieve" allows you to retrieve metadata components from a ZIP file retrieved using Salesforce Metadata Application Programming Interface (API). Similarly, the command "sfdx force:mdapi:deploy" deploys metadata components from a Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) file to your Salesforce org. 

e) Generate Scratch Orgs: Scratch orgs are temporary orgs created for development and testing purposes. The command "sfdx force:org:create" enables you to generate scratch orgs with custom configurations, duration, and other specifications tailored to your development needs. 

Tips and Best Practices for Salesforce CLI 

To optimise your usage of Salesforce CLI and enhance your sales management workflows, consider the following tips and best practices: 

a) Organise and Manage Projects: Structure your Salesforce projects effectively by leveraging Salesforce DX project directories. Create separate directories for each project, keeping your code, metadata, and resources organised and easily accessible. 

b) Version Control Integration: Integrate Salesforce CLI with a Version Control System (VCS) like Git to track changes, collaborate with team members, and ensure code consistency. Commit your changes regularly and follow branching strategies to manage feature development and bug fixes efficiently. 

c) Scripting and Automation: Take advantage of scripting and automation capabilities in Salesforce CLI to streamline repetitive tasks. Create scripts using shell scripting languages like Bash or PowerShell to automate complex operations and save time. 

d) Security Considerations: When using Salesforce CLI, follow security best practices to protect your Salesforce credentials and sensitive information. Ensure secure access to your CLI sessions by enabling multi-factor authentication and using encrypted connections. 

e) Continuous Learning and Exploration: Stay up to date with the latest CLI features, updates, and best practices with the official website. Explore the Salesforce CLI documentation, official Salesforce Trailhead modules, and developer forums to expand your knowledge and discover new ways to leverage the power of this tool. 

f) Error Handling and Troubleshooting: When encountering errors or issues with Salesforce CLI commands, take advantage of error handling and troubleshooting techniques. Consult the CLI documentation and error messages for guidance, leverage logging functionality to gather detailed information, and use the command "sfdx force:data:record:get" to retrieve specific records for debugging purposes. 

g) Collaborate with Team Members: Salesforce CLI facilitates collaboration among team members working on the same Salesforce project. Use version control systems to share code changes, communicate effectively through tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams, and establish clear guidelines and standards for code reviews and collaboration to ensure smooth teamwork and code consistency. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Salesforce CLI can be your ultimate tool for streamlining development and deployment processes. With its powerful Command-line Interface, you can automate tasks, and boost productivity like never before. By leveraging this interface, you can significantly enhance your effectiveness in managing Salesforce projects.