sf-data
jaganpro/sf-skills
Salesforce data CRUD, bulk import/export, and test data generation with CLI-first workflows.
What is sf-data?
sf-data handles record creation, updates, deletes, bulk operations, and test data seeding for Salesforce orgs. Use it when you need to perform data operations via sf CLI commands, generate realistic test datasets, or orchestrate parent-child record imports—but delegate SOQL-only queries to sf-soql, test execution to sf-testing, and metadata deployment to sf-deploy.
- Execute CRUD operations (create, read, update, delete, upsert) on Salesforce records via sf data CLI commands
- Generate and import bulk test data using tree import/export, CSV, or JSON payloads
- Create reusable data factory patterns and anonymous Apex scripts for repeatable test seeding
- Validate schema readiness with describe-first pre-flight checks before data creation
- Orchestrate parent-child record relationships and complex data hierarchies
- Provide cleanup and rollback scripts to safely remove or reverse test data operations
How to install sf-data
npx skills add https://github.com/jaganpro/sf-skills --skill sf-data- Salesforce CLI (sf) installed and authenticated to target org
- Target objects and fields must already exist in the org (use sf-metadata or sf-deploy if schema is missing)
- Parent records must exist before creating child records with foreign key relationships
- Appropriate field-level security and object permissions in the target org
How to use sf-data
- 1.Gather required context: target object(s), org alias, operation type (CRUD/import/export), volume, and any parent-child relationships
- 2.Run describe-first validation using sf sobject describe to confirm required fields, picklist values, and field createability
- 3.Choose the smallest correct mechanism: single CLI commands for one-off CRUD, bulk operations for large volumes, or tree import for hierarchies
- 4.Execute the operation (create records, import CSV, export data, or run cleanup scripts) against the target org
- 5.Verify results by checking record counts, relationships, and IDs; apply bounded retry if needed
- 6.Provide exact cleanup commands or rollback assets to remove or reverse created data
Use cases
- Seed 251+ records for bulk automation testing to validate behavior at scale
- Generate realistic test data for Apex test classes without manual record creation
- Bulk import migration data or one-time datasets from CSV or JSON sources
- Create and manage parent-child record hierarchies (e.g., Account → Contact → Opportunity)
- Export org data for analysis, backup, or local script generation before remote execution
- Salesforce developers building and validating Apex tests with realistic data volumes
- QA engineers performing bulk data operations and automation testing
- Integration engineers importing or exporting data during migrations
- Admins and developers needing repeatable test data factories and cleanup workflows
sf-data FAQ
Use sf-data for record CRUD, bulk import/export, test data generation, and data factory patterns. Use sf-soql only for querying and reading data. If you're writing SOQL to read data, delegate to sf-soql; if you're creating or modifying records, use sf-data.
Confirm the user's intent: script generation produces reusable .apex, CSV, or JSON assets without touching an org; remote execution creates or changes records in a real org now. Do not assume remote execution if the user may only want scripts.
Use sf sobject describe to identify required and createable fields, then validate picklist values and parent IDs. If a validation rule blocks the record, adjust test data to meet the rule's conditions or provide a manual workaround.
Create parent records first, capture their IDs, then reference those IDs in child record payloads. Use tree import/export for complex hierarchies, or stage creation in dependency order.
Always provide exact delete-by-ID, delete-by-pattern, or rollback commands. Prefer one-shot cleanup over manual deletion, and document the cleanup path in your final output.
Full instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from jaganpro/sf-skills.
name: sf-data description: > Salesforce data operations with 130-point scoring. TRIGGER when: user creates test data, performs bulk import/export, uses sf data CLI commands, or needs data factory patterns for Apex tests. DO NOT TRIGGER when: SOQL query writing only (use sf-soql), Apex test execution (use sf-testing), or metadata deployment (use sf-deploy). license: MIT metadata: version: "1.2.0" author: "Jag Valaiyapathy" scoring: "130 points across 7 categories"
Salesforce Data Operations Expert (sf-data)
Use this skill when the user needs Salesforce data work: record CRUD, bulk import/export, test data generation, cleanup scripts, or data factory patterns for validating Apex, Flow, or integration behavior.
When This Skill Owns the Task
Use sf-data when the work involves:
sf dataCLI commands- record creation, update, delete, upsert, export, or tree import/export
- realistic test data generation
- bulk data operations and cleanup
- Apex anonymous scripts for data seeding / rollback
Delegate elsewhere when the user is:
- writing SOQL only → sf-soql
- running or repairing Apex tests → sf-testing
- deploying metadata first → sf-deploy
- discovering schema / field definitions → sf-metadata
Important Mode Decision
Confirm which mode the user wants:
| Mode | Use when |
|---|---|
| Script generation | they want reusable .apex, CSV, or JSON assets without touching an org yet |
| Remote execution | they want records created / changed in a real org now |
Do not assume remote execution if the user may only want scripts.
Required Context to Gather First
Ask for or infer:
- target object(s)
- org alias, if remote execution is required
- operation type: query, create, update, delete, upsert, import, export, cleanup
- expected volume
- whether this is test data, migration data, or one-off troubleshooting data
- any parent-child relationships that must exist first
Core Operating Rules
sf-dataacts on remote org data unless the user explicitly wants local script generation.- Objects and fields must already exist before data creation.
- For automation testing, prefer 251+ records when bulk behavior matters.
- Always think about cleanup before creating large or noisy datasets.
- Never use real PII in generated test data.
- Prefer CLI-first for straightforward CRUD; use anonymous Apex when the operation truly needs server-side orchestration.
If metadata is missing, stop and hand off to:
- sf-metadata or sf-deploy
Recommended Workflow
1. Verify prerequisites
Confirm object / field availability, org auth, and required parent records.
2. Run describe-first pre-flight validation when schema is uncertain
Before creating or updating records, use object describe data to validate:
- required fields
- createable vs non-createable fields
- picklist values
- relationship fields and parent requirements
Example pattern:
sf sobject describe --sobject ObjectName --target-org <alias> --json
Helpful filters:
# Required + createable fields
jq '.result.fields[] | select(.nillable==false and .createable==true) | {name, type}'
# Valid picklist values for one field
jq '.result.fields[] | select(.name=="StageName") | .picklistValues[].value'
# Fields that cannot be set on create
jq '.result.fields[] | select(.createable==false) | .name'
3. Choose the smallest correct mechanism
| Need | Default approach |
|---|---|
| small one-off CRUD | sf data single-record commands |
| large import/export | Bulk API 2.0 via sf data ... bulk |
| parent-child seed set | tree import/export |
| reusable test dataset | factory / anonymous Apex script |
| reversible experiment | cleanup script or savepoint-based approach |
4. Execute or generate assets
Use the built-in templates under assets/ when they fit:
assets/factories/assets/bulk/assets/cleanup/assets/soql/assets/csv/assets/json/
5. Verify results
Check counts, relationships, and record IDs after creation or update.
6. Apply a bounded retry strategy
If creation fails:
- try the primary CLI shape once
- retry once with corrected parameters
- re-run describe / validate assumptions
- pivot to a different mechanism or provide a manual workaround
Do not repeat the same failing command indefinitely.
7. Leave cleanup guidance
Provide exact cleanup commands or rollback assets whenever data was created.
High-Signal Rules
Bulk safety
- use bulk operations for large volumes
- test automation-sensitive behavior with 251+ records where appropriate
- avoid one-record-at-a-time patterns for bulk scenarios
Data integrity
- include required fields
- validate picklist values before creation
- verify parent IDs and relationship integrity
- account for validation rules and duplicate constraints
- exclude non-createable fields from input payloads
Cleanup discipline
Prefer one of:
- delete-by-ID
- delete-by-pattern
- delete-by-created-date window
- rollback / savepoint patterns for script-based test runs
Common Failure Patterns
| Error | Likely cause | Default fix direction |
|---|---|---|
INVALID_FIELD | wrong field API name or FLS issue | verify schema and access |
REQUIRED_FIELD_MISSING | mandatory field omitted | include required values from describe data |
INVALID_CROSS_REFERENCE_KEY | bad parent ID | create / verify parent first |
FIELD_CUSTOM_VALIDATION_EXCEPTION | validation rule blocked the record | use valid test data or adjust setup |
| invalid picklist value | guessed value instead of describe-backed value | inspect picklist values first |
| non-writeable field error | field is not createable / updateable | remove it from the payload |
| bulk limits / timeouts | wrong tool for the volume | switch to bulk / staged import |
Output Format
When finishing, report in this order:
- Operation performed
- Objects and counts
- Target org or local artifact path
- Record IDs / output files
- Verification result
- Cleanup instructions
Suggested shape:
Data operation: <create / update / delete / export / seed>
Objects: <object + counts>
Target: <org alias or local path>
Artifacts: <record ids / csv / apex / json files>
Verification: <passed / partial / failed>
Cleanup: <exact delete or rollback guidance>
Cross-Skill Integration
| Need | Delegate to | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| discover object / field structure | sf-metadata | accurate schema grounding |
| run bulk-sensitive Apex validation | sf-testing | test execution and coverage |
| deploy missing schema first | sf-deploy | metadata readiness |
| implement production logic consuming the data | sf-apex or sf-flow | behavior implementation |
Reference Map
Start here
- references/sf-cli-data-commands.md
- references/test-data-best-practices.md
- references/orchestration.md
- references/test-data-patterns.md
- references/test-data-factory-usage.md
Query / bulk / cleanup
- references/soql-relationship-guide.md
- references/relationship-query-examples.md
- references/bulk-operations-guide.md
- references/cleanup-rollback-guide.md
- references/cleanup-rollback-example.md
Examples / limits
- references/crud-workflow-example.md
- references/bulk-testing-example.md
- references/anonymous-apex-guide.md
- references/governor-limits-reference.md
- assets/
Score Guide
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 117+ | strong production-safe data workflow |
| 104–116 | good operation with minor improvements possible |
| 91–103 | acceptable but review advised |
| 78–90 | partial / risky patterns present |
| < 78 | blocked until corrected |
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