handling-sf-data

Salesforce Data Operations Expert (handling-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 handling-sf-data when the work involves:

• sf data CLI 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 → querying-soql
• running or repairing Apex tests → running-apex-tests
• deploying metadata first → deploying-metadata
• creating or modifying custom objects / fields → generating-custom-object or generating-custom-field

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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.

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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

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Core Operating Rules

• handling-sf-data acts 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.
• Plan cleanup before creating large or noisy datasets — untracked records accumulate across runs and pollute org state.
• Use synthetic, non-identifying data in test records — real PII creates compliance risk and cannot be safely removed after bulk import.
• 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:

• generating-custom-object or generating-custom-field to create the missing schema, then deploying-metadata to deploy it before retrying the data operation

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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

See references/sf-cli-data-commands.md for the sf sobject describe command and jq filter patterns for inspecting fields, picklist values, and createable constraints.

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:

1. try the primary CLI shape once
2. retry once with corrected parameters
3. re-run describe / validate assumptions
4. 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.

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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

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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

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Output Format

When finishing, report in this order:

1. Operation performed
2. Objects and counts
3. Target org or local artifact path
4. Record IDs / output files
5. Verification result
6. 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>

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Cross-Skill Integration

Need	Delegate to	Reason
create missing custom objects	generating-custom-object	schema must exist before data operations
create missing custom fields	generating-custom-field	field-level schema must exist before data creation
run bulk-sensitive Apex validation	running-apex-tests	test execution and coverage
deploy missing schema first	deploying-metadata	metadata readiness
implement production Apex logic consuming the data	generating-apex	Apex class / trigger authoring
implement Flow logic consuming the data	generating-flow	Flow authoring and automation

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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

Validation scripts

• scripts/soql_validator.py — validate SOQL queries before execution
• scripts/validate_data_operation.py — pre-flight check for data operations (required fields, picklist values, createable fields)

Asset templates

• assets/factories/ — Apex test data factory scripts (account, contact, opportunity, lead, user, etc.)
• assets/bulk/ — Bulk API 2.0 Apex templates (insert 200, 500, 10000 records; upsert by external ID)
• assets/cleanup/ — Cleanup and rollback scripts (delete by name, date, pattern; transaction rollback)
• assets/soql/ — SOQL query templates (aggregate, subquery, parent-to-child, child-to-parent, polymorphic)
• assets/csv/ — CSV import templates for Account, Contact, Opportunity, custom objects
• assets/json/ — JSON tree import templates (account-contact, account-opportunity, full hierarchy)

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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