Salesforce Launch Pad (Beta)

A powerful VS Code extension for Salesforce project and metadata management, designed to streamline daily development, backup, and restore workflows.

Features

• Create New Salesforce Projects: Two distinct project creation options:
  • Standard Projects: Quick project creation with traditional copy-based backups.
  • Git Projects: Project creation with space-efficient git-based backups and version history.
• Metadata Retrieval: Retrieve only the metadata types you want, with a user-friendly multi-select. Handles large orgs with extended wait time.
• Dual Backup System:
  • Copy-based Backups: Traditional folder copy for each backup, perfect for simple archiving.
  • Git-based Backups: Space-efficient, incremental backups using Git. Each backup is a commit, and you can browse/restore any point in history.
• Backup Browsing UI:
  • Modern, theme-aware webview UI for browsing and restoring backups.
  • Accordion navigation: Orgs → Prefixes → Backups (commits).
  • Search, sort, tooltips, and responsive tables for easy navigation.
  • Inline SVG icons for full offline support and native look.
• Restore from Backup: Instantly check out and open any previous backup (commit) in a new or existing VS Code window.
• Workspace Management: Set or update your workspace directory at any time.
• User Experience:
  • Robust error handling and user feedback.
  • Caches your last-used metadata types for faster project creation.
  • All actions are cancellable and provide progress feedback.

Folder Structure Schema

workspace/
  └── OrgNameOrAlias/
      ├── work/
      │    └── prefix_work_date-month-year-time_(AM/PM)/
      └── backup/
           ├── prefix_backup/                    # (Standard projects - copy-based)
           │    └── ...project files...
           └── prefix_backup/                    # (Git projects - git repo)
                └── .git/
                └── ...project files...

• Work folders are always new (date-stamped) to prevent overwrites.
• Backup folders behavior depends on project type:
  • Standard Projects: Each backup creates a date-stamped folder copy
  • Git Projects: Stable folder name with git version history

Prerequisites

• Salesforce CLI
• At least one authenticated Salesforce org (sfdx force:auth:web:login)

Usage

1. Create New Project

Choose between two project creation options:

Standard Project

• Run the Create New Project (Standard) command from the Command Palette.
• Enter a project prefix, select an org, and choose metadata types to retrieve.
• The extension will scaffold the project, retrieve metadata, and create a copy-based backup.
• Perfect for simple archiving and when you don't need version history.

Git Project

• Run the Create New Project (Git Backup) command from the Command Palette.
• Enter a project prefix, select an org, and choose metadata types to retrieve.
• The extension will scaffold the project, retrieve metadata, and create a git-based backup with version history.
• Ideal for tracking changes over time and space-efficient storage.

On completion of either option, you can open the new project in the current or a new window.

2. Update Workspace Directory

• Run the Update Workspace Directory command to change where projects and backups are stored.

3. Browse and Restore Backups

• Run the List Git Backup (Backup UI) command to open the advanced backup browser.
• Navigate orgs, prefixes, and backup history (commits) in a modern accordion UI.
• Click "Open" on any backup to check it out and open in VS Code.

4. List Git Backups

• Run the List Git Backup command for a quick, command-based way to browse and restore git-based backups.

Advanced UI Features

• Offline Icons: All icons are inline SVGs—no internet required.
• Theme Awareness: UI colors and styles match your VS Code theme.
• Tooltips: Hover over commit icons to see commit hashes.
• Responsive Design: UI works well on all screen sizes.

Error Handling & User Experience

• All user inputs are validated (prefix, org, metadata types).
• Errors are shown in VS Code notifications.
• Progress and status are reported throughout all actions.
• Cancellable long-running operations.

Disclaimer

👷 Use it at your own risk, wear a helmet, and test it first before adding it to your daily workflow 🔥

Demo

Feedback & Contributions

Feedback, issues, and contributions are welcome! Please open an issue or pull request on GitHub.