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service-digital-engagement-deployment-configure

forcedotcom/sf-skills

Configure Embedded Messaging Deployments for Salesforce MIAW with Connect API and Metadata API.

What is service-digital-engagement-deployment-configure?

This skill configures EmbeddedServiceConfig metadata for Salesforce Messaging for In-App and Web (MIAW). Use it when creating new embedded messaging deployments from scratch or updating existing deployment settings like forms, branding, and channel configuration. It generates Connect API payloads for new Web deployments and Metadata API XML for API/Mobile types and updates.

  • Create new Embedded Service Deployments (API, Mobile, Web types) with sensible defaults
  • Generate EmbeddedServiceConfig XML metadata for deployment creation and updates
  • Configure messaging channel settings, pre-chat forms, and business hours
  • Apply branding customization and proactive chat invitations for Web deployments
  • Retrieve and modify existing deployments via Metadata API

How to install service-digital-engagement-deployment-configure

npx skills add https://github.com/forcedotcom/sf-skills --skill service-digital-engagement-deployment-configure
Prerequisites
  • Salesforce org with API version 67.0 or higher
  • sf CLI version 2.0.0 or higher
  • Python 3.8 or higher
  • Existing messaging channel (created via service-digital-engagement-channel-configure)
  • For Web deployments: existing Experience Site
Claude Code
Cursor
Windsurf
Cline

How to use service-digital-engagement-deployment-configure

  1. 1.Verify your org's API version is 67.0+ by running the provided check script
  2. 2.Determine whether you are creating a new deployment or updating an existing one
  3. 3.Gather required inputs: deployment name, type (API/Mobile/Web), and associated channel name
  4. 4.For create operations: generate EmbeddedServiceConfig XML or Connect API payload based on deployment type
  5. 5.For update operations: retrieve the current deployment metadata, then apply configuration changes (forms, branding, invitations)
  6. 6.Review generated output and deploy using Metadata API or Connect API as appropriate
  7. 7.Publish the deployment to make it live, then generate the JavaScript code snippet for website integration

Use cases

Good for
  • Set up a new embedded chat widget for a website using Web deployment type
  • Configure pre-chat forms and business hours for an existing in-app messaging deployment
  • Update branding colors and invitation conditions on a live Web deployment
  • Create a headless API deployment for custom messaging integrations
  • Add delivery receipts, typing indicators, and read receipts to an existing channel configuration
Who it's for
  • Salesforce Service Cloud administrators
  • Digital engagement specialists
  • Messaging platform implementers
  • Developers integrating MIAW into custom applications

service-digital-engagement-deployment-configure FAQ

What is the difference between creating and updating a deployment?

Create generates a new EmbeddedServiceConfig from scratch with defaults; update modifies an existing deployment's settings like forms, branding, and channel features. Web deployments require Connect API for initial creation due to circular dependencies with Experience Sites.

When should I use this skill versus service-digital-engagement-channel-configure?

Use this skill to configure the deployment (widget setup, forms, branding). Use service-digital-engagement-channel-configure to create the underlying messaging channel that the deployment references.

What happens after I generate the deployment configuration?

Deploy the XML via Metadata API (for API/Mobile) or follow Connect API instructions (for Web), then publish the deployment to make it live, and finally generate the JavaScript code snippet for website embedding.

Can I customize branding on an existing Web deployment?

Yes. For branding overrides beyond defaults, use the Tooling API to update individual BrandingSet properties. See references/branding_and_tooling.md for detailed steps.

How do I set up proactive chat invitations?

Enable invitations in the messaging channel settings, define invitation conditions with sequence numbers and formulas, then update the deployment metadata with the condition rules.

Full instructions (SKILL.md)

Source of truth, from forcedotcom/sf-skills.


name: service-digital-engagement-deployment-configure description: "Configures Embedded Messaging Deployments for Messaging for In-App and Web (MIAW). Use when the user needs to create a new embedded messaging deployment from scratch using Connect API with defaults, or update an existing deployment's settings using Metadata API. Produces Connect API request payloads for new deployments and EmbeddedServiceConfig metadata XML for updates. TRIGGER when the user mentions embedded messaging deployment, embedded service deployment, MIAW deployment, messaging widget setup, chat widget configuration, embedded chat deployment, or references a .EmbeddedServiceConfig-meta.xml file. DO NOT TRIGGER when the user is creating a messaging channel (use service-digital-engagement-channel-configure), configuring legacy Live Agent embedded service, or generating the JavaScript code snippet for website embedding." metadata: version: "1.0" domains: ["Service"] minApiVersion: "67.0" relatedSkills: - "automation-flow-generate" - "platform-permission-set-generate" - "service-digital-engagement-channel-configure" cliTools: - tool: ["python3"] semver: ">=3.8" - tool: ["sf"] semver: ">=2.0.0"

Configuring Embedded Messaging Deployment

Configures EmbeddedServiceConfig metadata for Salesforce Messaging for In-App and Web (MIAW). Supports two distinct workflows: creating new deployments via Connect API and updating existing deployments via Metadata API.

Scope

  • In scope: Creating new Embedded Service Deployments (API, Mobile, Web types) via Connect API; updating existing deployments with forms, branding, channel settings, and features via Metadata API; generating EmbeddedServiceConfig XML for updates
  • Out of scope: Creating the messaging channel itself (use service-digital-engagement-channel-configure), publishing deployments (Connect API post-step), creating Experience Sites (Connect API prerequisite for Web type)

Clarifying Questions

Before generating, ask the user if not already clear:

  • Create or update? Are you creating a new deployment or updating an existing one?
  • Deployment type? API (headless), Mobile (native apps), or Web (browser widget)?
  • Channel name? What is the channelPlatformKey of the messaging channel to associate?
  • For create: What should the deployment be named?
  • For update: What features to configure? (pre-chat forms, business hours, T&C, UI toggles)
  • For update (Web): What is the Experience Site name? Branding overrides needed?

Required Inputs

Gather or infer before proceeding:

  • Operation: create or update
  • Deployment type: API, Mobile, or Web
  • Deployment name: Used for masterLabel and the API name
  • Channel name: The channelPlatformKey of the associated messaging channel

For update operations additionally:

  • Site name (Web only): The Experience Site name (format ESW_<name>_<timestamp>)
  • Branding name (optional): Reference to existing BrandingSet
  • Pre-chat form fields (optional): Field names and required status
  • Business hours (optional): Name of existing BusinessHours record

Defaults unless specified:

  • isEnabled: true
  • deploymentFeature: EmbeddedMessaging

Workflow

All steps are sequential. Do not skip or reorder. Branch based on the operation type.

Phase 1 — Gather Context

  1. Verify org API version — run scripts/check-api-version.sh 67.0 <org-alias> and report any errors it returns. If the script fails, generate a sfdx-project.json in the metadata output folder with "sourceApiVersion": "67.0".

  2. Determine operation — ask whether the user wants to create a new deployment or update an existing one.

  3. Collect inputs — gather deployment name, type, and channel name per Clarifying Questions above.

  4. Read deployment settings reference — load references/deployment_settings.md to understand all available configuration options.

Phase 2A — Create New Deployment

Use this path when the operation is create.

  1. Determine API method by type:

    Deployment TypeCreation MethodPrerequisites
    APIMetadata API deployChannel must exist
    MobileMetadata API deployChannel must exist
    WebConnect APIChannel must exist + Experience Site required
  2. For API/Mobile types — read the template assets/esd_api_mobile_template.xml and generate the EmbeddedServiceConfig XML with:

    • deploymentType set to API or Mobile
    • deploymentFeature set to EmbeddedMessaging
    • All defaults applied
  3. For Web type — inform the user that Web deployments require Connect API for initial creation because of a circular dependency between Network and CustomSite. Read references/connect_api_creation.md for the Connect API payload and instructions.

  4. Generate output — produce the .EmbeddedServiceConfig-meta.xml file (for API/Mobile) or Connect API instructions (for Web).

  5. Present output and next steps — show the generated file and summarize what was configured. Recommend as next steps:

    • Publish the deployment via Connect API to make it live:
      sf api request rest "/services/data/v67.0/connect/embeddedservice/embeddedserviceconfig/publish/<EMBEDDED_SERVICE_CONFIG_ID>" -X POST -o <org-alias>
      
      To obtain the EMBEDDED_SERVICE_CONFIG_ID:
      sf data query --query "SELECT Id FROM EmbeddedServiceConfig WHERE DeveloperName = '<DEPLOYMENT_NAME>'" --target-org <org-alias>
      
    • Generate code snippet for integration — see references/code_snippet.md

Phase 2B — Update Existing Deployment (Metadata API)

Use this path when the operation is update.

  1. Retrieve the existing deployment — retrieve the current EmbeddedServiceConfig metadata from the org before making changes:

    sf project retrieve start --metadata EmbeddedServiceConfig:<DEPLOYMENT_NAME> --target-org <org-alias>
    

    Use the retrieved file as the starting structure. If retrieval is not possible, load assets/esd_web_update_template.xml as a fallback reference.

  2. Apply messaging channel settings — configure <embeddedServiceMessagingChannel> with:

    • messagingChannel — the channel's channelPlatformKey
    • shouldShowAgentforceTagline — Agentforce branding
    • shouldShowDeliveryReceipts — delivery receipts
    • shouldShowEmojiSelection — emoji picker
    • shouldShowReadReceipts — read receipts
    • shouldShowTypingIndicators — typing indicators
    • shouldStartNewLineOnEnter — Enter key behavior
    • isChatInvitationCustomizable / isInvitationEnabled — chat invitation settings
  3. Apply pre-chat forms — if the user needs pre-chat data collection, generate <embeddedServiceForms> with <embeddedServiceFormFields> elements containing embeddedServiceFormFieldName and isRequired.

  4. Apply branding customization (Web only) — a BrandingSet is automatically created with defaults when the deployment is created via Connect API. If the user wants to override specific branding properties (colors, fonts, dimensions), read references/branding_and_tooling.md for the Tooling API steps to update individual properties.

  5. Apply invitation (Web only) — if the user wants the widget to proactively invite visitors based on conditions:

    • Set isInvitationEnabled to true in <embeddedServiceMessagingChannel>
    • Generate repeatable <embdMsgChannelInvitationConditions> elements with sequence, conditionType, operand, value, and optionally customVariableName
    • Update the formula field in <embeddedServiceMessagingChannel> to reference the condition sequences (e.g., 1 AND 2, 1 OR 2). The formula must be updated whenever conditions are added or removed to stay in sync with the sequence numbers
    • See references/deployment_settings.md for available condition types and operators
  6. Apply additional settings:

    • isTermsAndConditionsEnabled / isTermsAndConditionsRequired — T&C in pre-chat
    • Do NOT update site — the site name is auto-generated during creation and must never be modified
  7. Generate the file — produce the .EmbeddedServiceConfig-meta.xml file at the path the user specifies, or default to EmbeddedServiceConfig/ in the project's metadata source path.

  8. Present output and next steps — show the generated file and summarize what was configured. Recommend as next steps:

    • Publish the deployment via Connect API to make changes live:
      sf api request rest "/services/data/v67.0/connect/embeddedservice/embeddedserviceconfig/publish/<EMBEDDED_SERVICE_CONFIG_ID>" -X POST -o <org-alias>
      
      To obtain the EMBEDDED_SERVICE_CONFIG_ID:
      sf data query --query "SELECT Id FROM EmbeddedServiceConfig WHERE DeveloperName = '<DEPLOYMENT_NAME>'" --target-org <org-alias>
      
    • Generate code snippet for integration — see references/code_snippet.md

Phase 3 — Validate

  1. Verify against checklist — confirm all items in the Verification Checklist below pass.

Rules / Constraints

ConstraintRationale
Always retrieve existing deployment before updatingEnsures current settings are preserved and only intended changes are applied
deploymentType must be API, Mobile, or WebPlatform rejects other values
Never update the site field on a Web deploymentSite name is auto-generated at creation and must not be changed
Web deployments cannot be created via Metadata APICircular dependency between Network and CustomSite — use Connect API
embeddedServiceMessagingChannelName must reference an existing channelDeployment fails if channel doesn't exist
site field required for Web type updatesWeb widget must be associated with an Experience Site
BrandingSet is auto-created with defaults by Connect APITo override branding properties, use Tooling API — see references/branding_and_tooling.md
Pre-chat form fields must reference valid channel custom parametersChoiceList fields need the parameter deployed on the channel first
File extension is .EmbeddedServiceConfig-meta.xmlMetadata API uses this specific extension
Do not hardcode file paths — respect sfdx-project.json package directoriesCustomer orgs customize source paths
Never include deploy/push commands in generated outputThis skill produces artifacts only
Publish step (Connect API) required after Web ESD updatesChanges are not live until published

Gotchas

IssueResolution
Web ESD creation fails via Metadata APIWeb type requires Connect API for initial creation; use Metadata API only for updates
Site name not foundSite must exist before Web ESD update; format is ESW_<name>_<timestamp>
Branding overrides not appliedUse Tooling API to update individual BrandingSet properties after the deployment is created
Pre-chat ChoiceList not showingChoiceList requires two-step deploy: create ChoiceList first, then assign to form field
Changes not appearing in widgetWeb ESDs must be published via Connect API after any update
embeddedServiceFlowConfig.enabled errorSet to false unless you specifically need embedded flows (not routing flows)
reCAPTCHA configuration rejectedreCAPTCHA is @HideInWsdl — must use Tooling API
Business hours not taking effectOnly updating existing business hours works; creation is managed separately
Deploy fails with "required field missing" or "upsert failed null"All attributes are mandatory: boolean fields in embeddedServiceMessagingChannel (include all even with default false), and all form field attributes (formField, formFieldType, isHidden, isRequired, displayOrder, messagingChannelParameterType)
Standard pre-chat field not foundUse _ prefix for standard fields in formField: _FirstName, _LastName, _Email, _Subject

Verification Checklist

Universal Checks

  • Is deploymentType one of API, Mobile, or Web?
  • Is masterLabel populated and unique?
  • Does messagingChannel reference an existing channel?
  • Is deploymentFeature set to EmbeddedMessaging?
  • Is isEnabled set to true?

Web Type Checks

  • Is site populated with the Experience Site name?
  • If branding is configured, does embeddedServiceBrandingName reference an existing BrandingSet?
  • Are pre-chat form field names valid (match channel custom parameters)?
  • If isInvitationEnabled is true, is formula populated and consistent with all sequence numbers in <embdMsgChannelInvitationConditions>?

API/Mobile Type Checks

  • Is siteUrl empty (no site needed)?
  • Is deploymentType correctly set to API or Mobile?

Post-Deploy Checks

  • Is user reminded to publish (Connect API) for Web deployments?
  • Is user reminded to activate components (Tooling API) if messaging components were deployed?

Output Expectations

Deliverables:

  • For API/Mobile create: <source-path>/EmbeddedServiceConfig/<DeploymentName>.EmbeddedServiceConfig-meta.xml
  • For Web create: Connect API payload and instructions (no XML file)
  • For update: <source-path>/EmbeddedServiceConfig/<DeploymentName>.EmbeddedServiceConfig-meta.xml

File structure follows the templates in assets/.


Cross-Skill Integration

NeedDelegate to
Creating the messaging channelservice-digital-engagement-channel-configure skill
Creating Omni-Channel routing flowsautomation-flow-generate skill
Creating permission sets for agentsplatform-permission-set-generate skill

Reference File Index

FileWhen to read
assets/esd_api_mobile_template.xmlBefore generating API or Mobile type deployments
assets/esd_web_update_template.xmlBefore generating Web type updates
references/deployment_settings.mdWhen configuring deployment options beyond defaults
references/connect_api_creation.mdWhen creating Web type deployments (Connect API required)
references/branding_and_tooling.mdWhen user asks about branding configuration
references/code_snippet.mdWhen user wants the JavaScript embed code snippet for their website
scripts/check-api-version.shPhase 1 — verify org API version meets the passed minimum (67.0)
examples/esd_api.xmlTo verify output for API type deployment
examples/esd_mobile.xmlTo verify output for Mobile type deployment
examples/esd_web_full.xmlTo verify output for fully configured Web deployment