Salesforce CLI: The Complete Guide You Need to Know

Are you familiar with the tool that automates tasks on the Salesforce platform? The Salesforce Command Line Interface (CLI) is an essential, open-source tool that simplifies deployment and management for admins and developers. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to Salesforce CLI, walk you through its setup, and share best practices for using it effectively.

What is a CLI?

CLI stands for Command Line Interface—a text-based method for interacting with software. Instead of clicking through a graphical interface, you type commands into a terminal to perform tasks. On Windows, you can use Windows Terminal; on macOS, use Terminal.

What is Salesforce CLI?

The Salesforce CLI is a powerful command-line tool designed to help Salesforce admins and developers automate tasks, manage environments, and streamline development. It allows you to perform operations such as deploying code, managing orgs, executing tests, and synchronizing data between environments—all from the command line.

Here are some key tasks you can accomplish using Salesforce CLI:

• Export and import data

• Create and manage orgs

• Run tests

• Synchronize source code with scratch orgs

• Create and install packages

How to Download and Install Salesforce CLI

If you're new to Salesforce CLI, installing it is simple. Head to the Salesforce CLI download page and select the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Once downloaded, follow the installation instructions for your platform.

After installation, open a terminal and run:

sf --version

This command will display the current version of Salesforce CLI, confirming a successful installation.

How to Use Salesforce CLI

Once you have Salesforce CLI installed, you can start executing commands. But how do you know which commands are available? Simply run the following command to list all supported commands:

sf commands

Command Namespaces

When you run the command above, you'll see various command categories, or namespaces, such as alias, auth, force, and config. Each namespace serves a specific purpose:

• alias: Manage login aliases, so you can assign names like "DevOrg" or "Prod" to different orgs.

  sf alias:list
  

• auth: Authorize Salesforce orgs for use with the CLI. You can log in via a web browser or use a JSON Web Token.

  sf org:login:web -a MyDevOrg

• config: Set configuration variables, like your default username or API version.

  sfdx config:get defaultusername

• force: The most widely used namespace, containing commands for retrieving and deploying metadata, creating scratch orgs, running anonymous Apex, and more.

  sfdx force:source:deploy -m ApexClass:MyApexClass

Running Commands with Parameters

Salesforce CLI commands often take parameters to specify what you want to do. For example, if you're deploying an Apex class, you'd specify it like this:

sfdx force:source:deploy -m ApexClass:MyApexClass

Here, -m stands for --metadata, and it's followed by the name of the Apex class to be deployed.

Best Practices for Using Salesforce CLI

To make the most out of Salesforce CLI, follow these best practices:

1. Use AliasesAliases help you manage multiple Salesforce orgs. Assign meaningful aliases to your orgs during authentication to avoid confusion.

   sf alias:set MyProdOrg=admin@prod.com
   

2. Keep Salesforce CLI UpdatedRegular updates include new features, enhancements, and bug fixes. Make sure you're running the latest version of Salesforce CLI by executing:

   sfdx update
   

3. Leverage Continuous Integration (CI) ToolsTools like Jenkins and GitHub Actions can automate your build, test, and deployment processes, ensuring your code is regularly tested and validated.
   

4. Follow Source-Driven DevelopmentAdopt a source-driven development approach by using version control tools to track changes. This ensures collaboration and a streamlined development process.
   

5. Use Version Control Systems (VCS)Integrate Salesforce CLI with Git or other version control systems to manage your project's source code. A VCS is essential for tracking changes and team collaboration.

Conclusion

Salesforce CLI is a powerful tool for automating tasks, managing multiple environments, and improving productivity. Whether you're an admin or developer, understanding how to use Salesforce CLI can significantly streamline your work. By following the best practices outlined here, you'll maximize the tool's potential and keep your Salesforce environments running smoothly.

We’d love to hear your experiences using Salesforce CLI. Join our community and share your insights!