Multi-Skill Orchestration: sf-data Perspective

Multi-Skill Orchestration: sf-data Perspective

This document details how sf-data fits into the multi-skill workflow for Salesforce development.

Standard Orchestration Order

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  STANDARD MULTI-SKILL ORCHESTRATION ORDER                                   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  1. sf-metadata                                                             │
│     └── Create object/field definitions (LOCAL files)                       │
│                                                                             │
│  2. sf-flow                                                                 │
│     └── Create flow definitions (LOCAL files)                               │
│                                                                             │
│  3. sf-deploy                                                               │
│     └── Deploy all metadata (REMOTE)                                        │
│                                                                             │
│  4. sf-data  ◀── YOU ARE HERE (LAST!)                                      │
│     └── Create test data (REMOTE - objects must exist!)                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

⚠️ Why sf-data Goes LAST

sf-data operates on REMOTE org data. Objects/fields must be deployed before sf-data can:

• Insert records
• Query existing data
• Run test factories
• Generate bulk test data

ERROR: "SObject type 'Quote__c' is not supported"
CAUSE: Quote__c object was never deployed to the org
FIX:   Run sf-deploy BEFORE sf-data

Common Errors from Wrong Order

Test Data After Triggers/Flows

When testing triggers or flows, always create test data AFTER deployment:

1. sf-apex   → Create trigger handler class
2. sf-flow   → Create record-triggered flow
3. sf-deploy → Deploy trigger + flow + objects
4. sf-data   ◀── CREATE TEST DATA NOW
              └── Triggers and flows will fire!

Why? Test data insertion triggers flows/triggers. If those aren't deployed, you're not testing realistic behavior.

The 251-Record Pattern

Always test with 251 records to cross the 200-record batch boundary:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  BATCH BOUNDARY TESTING                                                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Records 1-200:    First batch                                              │
│  Records 201-251:  Second batch (crosses boundary!)                         │
│                                                                             │
│  Tests: N+1 queries, bulkification, governor limits                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Command:

sf apex run --file test-factory.apex --target-org alias
# test-factory.apex creates 251 records

Cross-Skill Integration Table

Prerequisites Check

Before using sf-data, verify:

# Check org connection
sf org display --target-org alias

# Check objects exist
sf sobject describe --sobject MyObject__c --target-org alias --json

# Check field-level security (if field not visible)
sf data query --query "SELECT Id FROM FieldPermissions WHERE SobjectType='MyObject__c'" --use-tooling-api --target-org alias

Factory Pattern Integration

Test Data Factory classes work with sf-data:

sf-apex:  Creates TestDataFactory_Account.cls
          ↓
sf-deploy: Deploys factory class
          ↓
sf-data:  Calls factory via Anonymous Apex
          ↓
          251 records created → triggers fire → flows run

Anonymous Apex:

List<Account> accounts = TestDataFactory_Account.create(251);
System.debug('Created ' + accounts.size() + ' accounts');

Cleanup Sequence

After testing, clean up in reverse order:

1. sf-data   → Delete test records
2. sf-deploy → Deactivate flows (if needed)
3. sf-deploy → Remove test metadata (if needed)

Cleanup command:

sf apex run --file cleanup.apex --target-org alias
# cleanup.apex: DELETE [SELECT Id FROM Account WHERE Name LIKE 'Test%']

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