Package.xml Generator

Package.xml Generator is a Visual Studio Code extension that queries a Salesforce org for metadata types and components, allows users to select components, and generates a package.xml file for deployment or retrieval. It uses a DataTables.js-powered webview for interactive selection and supports Salesforce authentication via username or an access.json file.

Features

• Metadata Querying: Retrieves metadata types (e.g., ApexClass, CustomObject) and components from a Salesforce org using the Tooling API.
• Interactive Selection: Displays metadata in a webview with DataTables.js for sorting, searching, and checkbox selection.
• Package.xml Generation: Creates a package.xml file based on selected components, saved to a configurable output directory.
• Authentication: Supports Salesforce username (via Salesforce CLI) or an access.json file with accessToken and instanceUrl.
• Context Menu: Trigger generation from XML, .cls, .trigger, or .object files in the Explorer.
• Logging: Detailed logs in the Package.xml Generator Output channel.

Installation

1. Install from VS Code Marketplace:

   • Search for Package.xml Generator in the VS Code Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X on macOS).
   • Click Install.

2. Manual Installation:

   • Download the .vsix file from the releases page.
   • In VS Code, go to Extensions view, click the ... menu, select Install from VSIX, and choose the file.

3. Prerequisites:

   • Salesforce CLI: Install for org authentication (if using username). Download from Salesforce CLI.
   • Node.js: Required for development or dependency management.
   • Internet Connection: Needed for DataTables.js and export features (CDNs: jQuery, DataTables, JSZip, pdfmake).

Configuration

Configure in VS Code Settings (Ctrl+, or Cmd+,):

1. Set the following under packageXmlGenerator:

   {
     "packageXmlGenerator.username": "your.salesforce.username@example.com",
     "packageXmlGenerator.accessJsonPath": "/path/to/access.json",
     "packageXmlGenerator.outputDir": "/path/to/output"
   }