tools-only Multi-Skill Orchestration: sf-metadata Perspective
This document details how sf-metadata fits into the multi-skill workflow for Salesforce development.
Standard Orchestration Order
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ STANDARD MULTI-SKILL ORCHESTRATION ORDER │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. sf-metadata ◀── YOU ARE HERE │
│ └── Create object/field definitions (LOCAL files) │
│ │
│ 2. sf-flow │
│ └── Create flow definitions (LOCAL files) │
│ │
│ 3. sf-deploy │
│ └── Deploy all metadata (REMOTE) │
│ │
│ 4. sf-data │
│ └── Create test data (REMOTE - objects must exist!) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Why sf-metadata Goes First
| Step | Depends On sf-metadata | What Fails Without It |
|---|---|---|
| sf-flow | ✅ Must exist | Flow references non-existent field/object |
| sf-deploy | ✅ Must exist | Nothing to deploy |
| sf-data | ✅ Must be deployed | SObject type 'X' not supported |
sf-metadata creates the foundation that all other skills build upon.
Integration + Agentforce Extended Order
When building agents with external API integrations:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ INTEGRATION + AGENTFORCE ORCHESTRATION ORDER │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. sf-metadata ◀── YOU ARE HERE │
│ └── Create object/field definitions │
│ │
│ 2. sf-connected-apps │
│ └── Create OAuth Connected App (if external API needed) │
│ │
│ 3. sf-integration │
│ └── Create Named Credential + External Service │
│ │
│ 4. sf-apex │
│ └── Create @InvocableMethod (if custom logic needed) │
│ │
│ 5. sf-flow │
│ └── Create Flow wrapper (HTTP Callout or Apex wrapper) │
│ │
│ 6. sf-deploy │
│ └── Deploy all metadata │
│ │
│ 7. sf-ai-agentforce │
│ └── Create agent with flow:// target │
│ │
│ 8. sf-deploy │
│ └── Publish agent (sf agent publish) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
sf-metadata Responsibilities in Orchestration
Before sf-flow
sf-metadata must create:
- Custom Objects (the flow will reference)
- Custom Fields (used in flow variables, assignments)
- Picklist Values (used in flow decisions)
- Record Types (used in flow record creates)
Before sf-apex
sf-metadata must create:
- Custom Objects (Apex queries/DML targets)
- Custom Fields (referenced in SOQL, field sets)
- Custom Metadata Types (configuration storage)
Example: Quote Builder Flow
sf-metadata creates:
├── Quote__c.object-meta.xml
├── Quote_Line_Item__c.object-meta.xml
├── Quote__c.Status__c.field-meta.xml (Picklist)
├── Quote_Line_Item__c.Product__c.field-meta.xml (Lookup)
└── Quote_Access.permissionset-meta.xml
sf-apex creates:
└── PricingCalculator.cls (@InvocableMethod)
sf-flow creates:
└── Quote_Builder_Flow.flow-meta.xml (references above)
sf-deploy:
└── Deploys all to org
Common Errors from Wrong Order
| Error | Cause | Correct Order |
|---|---|---|
Field does not exist: Status__c |
Flow created before field | sf-metadata → sf-flow |
Invalid reference: Quote__c |
Flow created before object | sf-metadata → sf-flow |
SObject type 'Quote__c' not supported |
Data created before deploy | sf-deploy → sf-data |
Cannot find FlowDefinition |
Agent references missing flow | sf-flow → sf-ai-agentforce |
Invocation Pattern
After creating metadata with sf-metadata:
# Deploy metadata
Skill(skill="sf-deploy", args="Deploy to [target-org]")
# Then create test data
Skill(skill="sf-data", args="Create 251 Quote__c records")
Cross-Skill Integration Table
| From Skill | To sf-metadata | When |
|---|---|---|
| sf-apex | → sf-metadata | "Describe Quote__c" (discover fields before coding) |
| sf-flow | → sf-metadata | "Describe object fields, record types" (verify structure) |
| sf-data | → sf-metadata | "Describe Custom_Object__c fields" (discover structure) |
| sf-ai-agentforce | → sf-metadata | "Create custom object for agent data" |
Best Practices
- Always create Permission Sets with object/field metadata
- Use sf sobject describe to verify existing structure before creating
- Check sfdx-project.json exists before generating metadata
- Use consistent naming across related objects (Quote__c, Quote_Line_Item__c)
- Document relationships in object descriptions
Related Documentation
| Topic | Location |
|---|---|
| Metadata templates | sf-metadata/templates/ |
| Field types guide | sf-metadata/docs/field-types-guide.md |
| Naming conventions | sf-metadata/docs/naming-conventions.md |
| sf-deploy skill | sf-deploy/SKILL.md |