sf-deploy_skill

Overview

This skill automates Salesforce DevOps using the modern sf CLI (v2.x) to manage metadata deployments, scratch orgs, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment troubleshooting. It enforces safe orchestration order for objects, permission sets, Apex, and flows, and produces actionable reports and remediation steps. Use it to validate, execute, and monitor deployments with built-in guardrails for production safety.

How this skill works

The skill inspects project metadata (sfdx-project.json, package.xml, source dirs) and orchestrates deploys using sf project deploy commands with --dry-run validation before execution. It parses deployment reports and error output, suggests fixes for common failures (FLS, missing dependencies, tests), and handles flow activation as a separate verification step. It also integrates with CI/CD flows, scratch org management, and post-deploy verification commands to produce a compact deployment summary.

When to use it

• Deploy metadata to sandboxes or production with sf CLI v2.x
• Run CI/CD pipelines that require validation gates and test coverage checks
• Create or manage scratch orgs and environment snapshots for feature work
• Troubleshoot deployment failures and get remediation guidance
• Deploy agent/AI metadata or orchestrate multi-component releases involving Apex and Flows

Best practices

• Always run sf project deploy start --dry-run before actual deployment
• Deploy custom objects/fields first, then permission sets, then Apex, then flows (deploy flows as Draft, then activate)
• Use manifest-based or targeted incremental deploys instead of large monolithic batches
• Run RunLocalTests or RunAllTests depending on environment; prefer RunAllTests for production packages
• Commit and tag releases; back up metadata before major changes and validate in sandbox first
• Use quick deploy after a successful validation to speed production rollouts

Example use cases

• Full release to production: validate with --dry-run, run RunAllTests, then quick deploy validated job
• Hotfix: targeted deploy of specific classes + RunLocalTests and immediate quick deploy
• CI pipeline: authenticate via JWT, static analysis, dry-run gate, tests, deploy and notify
• Agent deployment: deploy Apex then Flows, validate agent authoring bundle, publish and activate agent with required deactivation step