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data360-code-extension-generate

forcedotcom/sf-skills

Develop and deploy custom Python transformations for Salesforce Data Cloud with local testing and schema validation.

What is data360-code-extension-generate?

This skill provides a complete workflow for creating, testing, and deploying Python code extensions to Salesforce Data Cloud. Use it when you need to build custom transformations that read from and write to Data Lake Objects (DLOs) and Data Model Objects (DMOs), with built-in schema validation and permission scanning.

  • Initialize script-based or function-based code extension projects with scaffolding
  • Develop Python transformations using the Data Cloud Custom Code SDK
  • Scan code to detect required permissions and generate configuration
  • Validate DLO schemas before testing to ensure field compatibility
  • Test code extensions locally against your Data Cloud org
  • Deploy code extensions to Data Cloud for scheduled or on-demand execution

How to install data360-code-extension-generate

npx skills add https://github.com/forcedotcom/sf-skills --skill data360-code-extension-generate
Prerequisites
  • SF CLI version 2.0.0 or higher with @salesforce/plugin-data-code-extension plugin installed
  • Python 3.11.0 or higher
  • pip package manager version 23.0.0 or higher
  • Docker version 20.0.0 or higher (required for deployment)
  • Salesforce Data Cloud Custom Code SDK installed via pip
  • Authenticated Salesforce org with Data Cloud access
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How to use data360-code-extension-generate

  1. 1.Verify all prerequisites are installed and your org is authenticated
  2. 2.Initialize a new project using 'sf data-code-extension script init' or 'sf data-code-extension function init' with your desired package directory
  3. 3.Edit the generated payload/entrypoint.py file with your transformation logic using the Data Cloud SDK client methods
  4. 4.Run 'sf data-code-extension script scan' to detect required permissions and update config.json and requirements.txt
  5. 5.Use the data360-schema-get skill to validate that all referenced DLOs exist and contain the expected fields
  6. 6.Test locally with 'sf data-code-extension script run' pointing to your entrypoint file and target org
  7. 7.Deploy to Data Cloud with 'sf data-code-extension script deploy' specifying --package-dir ./payload and your deployment name

Use cases

Good for
  • Creating batch transformation scripts that read employee data from a DLO, transform it, and write results to another DLO
  • Building real-time function-based extensions for on-demand data processing
  • Validating that all referenced DLOs exist and have expected fields before deployment
  • Testing data transformations locally to catch field name mismatches and type errors
  • Deploying production code extensions with specific CPU resource requirements
Who it's for
  • Data Cloud developers building custom transformations
  • Salesforce engineers implementing ETL pipelines
  • Data platform teams automating data processing workflows
  • Developers working with DLOs and DMOs programmatically

data360-code-extension-generate FAQ

What is the difference between script-based and function-based code extensions?

Script-based extensions are for batch transformations that process data in bulk, while function-based extensions are for real-time, on-demand processing. Use 'script init' for batch jobs and 'function init' for real-time operations.

Why is --package-dir ./payload critical for deployment?

The deploy command requires --package-dir to point to the payload directory (not the project root) because that directory contains the entrypoint.py and config.json files needed for deployment. Running from project root, this must be './payload'.

How do I validate DLO schemas before testing?

Use the data360-schema-get skill to verify each DLO referenced in your config.json exists in your org and contains the exact field names used in your transformation code. This prevents field mismatch errors during testing.

What should I do if I get field-not-found errors when running locally?

Re-validate DLO schemas using data360-schema-get, verify field names are exact matches (case-sensitive), check that data types are compatible with your transformation operations, and review the error messages for specific field/DLO issues.

Can I customize CPU resources for my deployed code extension?

Yes, use the --cpu-size option during deploy to specify CPU_L, CPU_XL, CPU_2XL (default), or CPU_4XL based on your transformation's resource requirements.

Full instructions (SKILL.md)

Source of truth, from forcedotcom/sf-skills.


name: data360-code-extension-generate description: "Develop and deploy Data Cloud Code Extensions using SF CLI plugin. Use this skill when creating custom Python transformations for Data Cloud, deploying code extensions, or testing data transformations. Supports init, run, scan, and deploy operations." metadata: version: "1.0" domains: ["Data 360", "Developer Experience"] relatedSkills: - "data360-schema-get" cliTools: - tool: ["docker"] semver: ">=20.0.0" - tool: ["pip"] semver: ">=23.0.0" - tool: ["python"] semver: ">=3.11.0" - tool: ["python3"] semver: ">=3.11.0" - tool: ["sf"] semver: ">=2.0.0"

data360-code-extension-generate Skill

Overview

This skill provides a complete workflow for developing, testing, and deploying custom Python code extensions to Salesforce Data Cloud. Code extensions allow you to write Python transformations that read from and write to Data Lake Objects (DLOs) and Data Model Objects (DMOs).

When to Use

  • User wants to create a new code extension project
  • User needs to test a code extension locally
  • User wants to scan code for required permissions
  • User needs to deploy a code extension to Data Cloud
  • User is working with Data Cloud transformations
  • User wants to read/write DLO or DMO data programmatically

Prerequisites Check

Before executing any code extension commands, verify prerequisites:

  1. SF CLI with plugin installed

    sf plugins --core | grep data-code-extension
    

    If not installed:

    sf plugins install @salesforce/plugin-data-code-extension
    
  2. Python 3.11

    python --version  # Should show 3.11.x
    
  3. Data Cloud Custom Code SDK

    pip list | grep salesforce-data-customcode
    

    If not installed:

    pip install salesforce-data-customcode
    
  4. Docker running (for deploy only)

    docker ps
    
  5. Authenticated org

    sf org display --target-org <org_alias> --json
    

Skill Workflow

Phase 1: Initialize Project

Create a new code extension project with scaffolding.

Commands:

For script-based code extensions (batch transformations):

sf data-code-extension script init --package-dir <directory>

For function-based code extensions (real-time):

sf data-code-extension function init --package-dir <directory>

Required Option:

  • --package-dir, -p - Directory path where the package will be created

What it creates:

my-transform/              # Project root
├── payload/               # CRITICAL: This is what --package-dir must point to for deploy
│   ├── entrypoint.py      # Main transformation code
│   └── config.json        # Code extension configuration
├── requirements.txt       # Python dependencies
└── README.md

Directory Context During Workflow

IMPORTANT: Understanding the directory structure is critical for successful deployment.

Commands and their directory requirements:

CommandRun FromPath/File Argument
initParent directory<project-name> or .
scanProject root./payload/entrypoint.py
runProject root./payload/entrypoint.py
deployProject root--package-dir ./payload (REQUIRED)

CRITICAL: The --package-dir argument in deploy command MUST point to the payload directory, not the project root.

Phase 2: Develop Transformation

Edit payload/entrypoint.py with transformation logic.

Script Example (Batch):

from datacustomcode import Client

client = Client()

# Read from DLO
df = client.read_dlo('Employee__dll')

# Transform data (uppercase position field)
df['position_upper'] = df['position'].str.upper()

# Write to output DLO
client.write_to_dlo('Employee_Upper__dll', df, 'overwrite')

Function Example (Real-time):

from datacustomcode import FunctionClient

def transform(event, context):
    client = FunctionClient(context)
    input_data = event['data']
    output = {
        'name': input_data['name'].upper(),
        'status': 'processed'
    }
    return output

Common Operations:

  • client.read_dlo('DLO_Name__dll') - Read from DLO
  • client.read_dmo('DMO_Name') - Read from DMO
  • client.write_to_dlo('DLO_Name__dll', df, 'overwrite') - Write to DLO
  • client.write_to_dmo('DMO_Name', df, 'upsert') - Write to DMO

Phase 3: Scan for Permissions

Scan the entrypoint file to detect required permissions and generate config.json.

Command:

sf data-code-extension script scan --entrypoint ./payload/entrypoint.py

What it detects:

  • Read permissions for DLOs/DMOs
  • Write permissions for DLOs/DMOs
  • Python package dependencies
  • Updates config.json and requirements.txt

Phase 4: Validate DLO Schema (Pre-Test Check)

CRITICAL: Before running tests locally, validate that all DLOs used in your code exist and have the expected fields.

Step 4a: Extract DLOs from config.json

After scanning, review the generated config.json to identify all DLOs:

cat payload/config.json

Step 4b: Validate Each DLO Schema

Use the data360-schema-get skill to verify DLOs exist and check field names.

For each DLO referenced in your code:

  1. Verify DLO exists:

    python3 scripts/get_dlo_schema.py <org_alias> <dlo_name>
    
  2. Verify field names match — compare fields used in your entrypoint.py against the DLO schema.

  3. Check all DLOs:

    • Validate all DLOs in read permissions
    • Validate all DLOs in write permissions
    • Check field names match exactly (case-sensitive)
    • Verify data types are compatible with operations

Step 4c: Validation Checklist

Before proceeding to run, ensure:

  • All DLOs in config.json exist in target org
  • All field names used in code exist in DLO schemas
  • Field data types match your transformation logic
  • Primary key fields are correctly identified
  • Write target DLOs are created and accessible

Phase 5: Test Locally

After validating DLO schemas, run the code extension locally against your Data Cloud org.

Command:

sf data-code-extension script run --entrypoint <entrypoint_file> --target-org <org_alias> [options]

Options:

  • --target-org, -o - SF CLI org alias (required)
  • --config-file, -c - Custom config file path

If you get errors:

  • Re-validate DLO schemas
  • Check field names are exact matches
  • Verify data types are compatible
  • Review error messages for field/DLO issues

Phase 6: Deploy to Data Cloud

Deploy the code extension to Data Cloud for scheduled or on-demand execution.

CRITICAL: You MUST specify --package-dir ./payload to point to the payload directory created by init.

Command:

sf data-code-extension script deploy --target-org <org_alias> --name <name> --package-dir ./payload --package-version <version> --description <description> [options]

Required Options:

  • --target-org, -o - SF CLI org alias
  • --name, -n - Name for code extension deployment
  • --package-dir - Path to payload directory (REQUIRED - must be ./payload when running from project root)
  • --package-version - Version string (default: 0.0.1)
  • --description - Description of code extension

Optional Options:

  • --cpu-size - CPU size: CPU_L, CPU_XL, CPU_2XL (default), CPU_4XL
  • --function-invoke-opt - Function invoke options (for function type)
  • --network - Docker network (default: default)

After deployment:

  • Navigate to Data Cloud in Salesforce UI
  • Go to Data Transforms section
  • Find your deployment by name
  • Click "Run Now" to execute
  • Schedule for recurring execution

Error Handling

Common Issues and Solutions

ErrorSolution
command data-code-extension not foundsf plugins install @salesforce/plugin-data-code-extension
datacustomcode CLI not foundpip install salesforce-data-customcode
Python version mismatchUse pyenv: pyenv install 3.11.0 && pyenv local 3.11.0
Cannot connect to Docker daemonStart Docker Desktop
No org found for aliassf org login web --alias <org_alias>
config.json not foundsf data-code-extension script scan --entrypoint ./payload/entrypoint.py
DLO not foundVerify DLO exists (use data360-schema-get skill), check spelling and __dll suffix
Permission denied writingRe-run scan, verify target DLO exists and is writable
Deploy fails - wrong directoryEnsure --package-dir points to payload/ directory, not project root

Best Practices

Development

  1. Always scan before testing — run scan after code changes
  2. Test locally first — use run command before deploying
  3. Use version control — git commit after each successful test
  4. Version your deployments — use semantic versioning (1.0.0, 1.1.0, etc.)
  5. Deploy from project root with --package-dir ./payload

Performance

  • CPU_L: Small datasets (< 1M records)
  • CPU_2XL: Medium datasets (1M-10M records)
  • CPU_4XL: Large datasets (> 10M records)

Security

  1. No hardcoded credentials — use SF CLI authentication only
  2. Validate input data — check for nulls and data types
  3. Limit write permissions — only grant necessary DLO/DMO access

Integration with Other Skills

Use with data360-schema-get skill (CRITICAL for validation):

The data360-schema-get skill is required for validating DLOs before testing code extensions.

Use with Datakit Workflow:

  1. Create DLO via code extension
  2. Map DLO to DMO using datakit workflow
  3. Use DMO in segments and activations

Command Reference

CommandPurposeRequired Args
script initCreate new script project--package-dir
function initCreate new function project--package-dir
script scanGenerate configentrypoint file
script runTest locallyentrypoint file, --target-org
script deployDeploy to Data Cloud--target-org, --name, --package-dir, --package-version, --description

Resources

Notes

  • Code extensions run in isolated Python 3.11 environment
  • Docker is required only for deployment, not for local testing
  • Use SF CLI authentication only (no separate credential files)
  • Scan command auto-detects permissions from code
  • Local run uses actual Data Cloud data (not mocked)
  • Deployments are versioned and can be rolled back in UI