description: "Salesforce data operations with 130-point scoring. Use this skill to create, update, delete, bulk import/export, generate test data, and clean up org records using sf CLI and anonymous Apex. TRIGGER when: user creates test data, performs bulk import/export, uses sf data CLI commands, needs data factory patterns for Apex tests, or needs to seed/clean records in a Salesforce org. DO NOT TRIGGER when: SOQL query writing only (use platform-soql-query), Apex test execution (use platform-apex-test-run), or metadata deployment (use platform-metadata-deploy)."
# Salesforce Data Operations Expert (platform-data-manage)
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 `platform-data-manage` 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 → [platform-soql-query](../platform-soql-query/SKILL.md)
- running or repairing Apex tests → [platform-apex-test-run](../platform-apex-test-run/SKILL.md)
- deploying metadata first → [platform-metadata-deploy](../platform-metadata-deploy/SKILL.md)
- creating or modifying custom objects / fields → [platform-custom-object-generate](../platform-custom-object-generate/SKILL.md) or [platform-custom-field-generate](../platform-custom-field-generate/SKILL.md)
---
## 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.
- whether this is test data, migration data, or one-off troubleshooting data
- any parent-child relationships that must exist first
---
## Core Operating Rules
-`platform-data-manage` 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:
- [platform-custom-object-generate](../platform-custom-object-generate/SKILL.md) or [platform-custom-field-generate](../platform-custom-field-generate/SKILL.md) to create the missing schema, then [platform-metadata-deploy](../platform-metadata-deploy/SKILL.md) to deploy it before retrying the data operation
---
## 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](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` |
| 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.
---
## 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:
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:
```text
Data operation: <create/update/delete/export/seed>
Objects: <object+counts>
Target: <orgaliasorlocalpath>
Artifacts: <recordids/csv/apex/jsonfiles>
Verification: <passed/partial/failed>
Cleanup: <exactdeleteorrollbackguidance>
```
---
## Cross-Skill Integration
| Need | Delegate to | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| create missing custom objects | [platform-custom-object-generate](../platform-custom-object-generate/SKILL.md) | schema must exist before data operations |
| create missing custom fields | [platform-custom-field-generate](../platform-custom-field-generate/SKILL.md) | field-level schema must exist before data creation |
| run bulk-sensitive Apex validation | [platform-apex-test-run](../platform-apex-test-run/SKILL.md) | test execution and coverage |
