One of the core components of SFDX is the command-line interface (CLI), which allows developers to create, manage, and deploy Salesforce applications using the terminal.
These GUIs provide a user-friendly interface for developers who may be less familiar with the command-line interface.
In addition, they offer additional features, such as code highlighting, autocompletion, and code snippets, that can enhance the development experience.
Some of the limitations of SFDX without a terminal include the following:
To address these challenges, companies often use third-party Git tools, such as Hutte, to cut out the need for having CLI knowledge.
Hutte simplifies SFDX without a terminal by providing a web-based user interface (UI). With Hutte, you can visually leverage the benefits of Git-based development without needing to use the CLI, removing the barriers Git can pose.
Hutte allows for visual version control of your Salesforce projects, enabling you to create and manage scratch orgs and sandboxes hassle-free.
Hutte also empowers you to access the full power of SFDX without needing to write any code. You can use custom buttons on Hutte’s web interface to execute complex multi-line commands effortlessly.
With everything generated and integrated within Hutte, there is no need to reproduce any data.
You can start your free 30-day trial or check out our demo to experience how Hutte works.
Explore how you can leverage SFDX Git development visually and code-free using Hutte.
After creating an account with Hutte, you can begin by setting up a new environment using a scratch org from the pool. You have the option to name your org, and it can be referenced to your issue tracking system, like Hutte’s Jira plugin.
Once you have provided a name for the org, your environment will be ready for use.
Using Hutte, you have the ability to create new SFDX metadata, such as an Apex class, directly in your org. After adding your logic to the class, it becomes a new addition to your environment.
To make changes to your org, you can navigate to the “Setup” page and select “Object Manager,” where the data model resides. From there, you can open up a custom object and make any desired changes as you have access to the data model.
For instance, if you want to change a field, you can select “Field & Relationships.” After making your desired changes, you can save them and then go to the “Changes” tab to view the modifications.
In this example, the changes had the following impact on the org:
While SFDX provides a powerful set of tools for Salesforce development, using it without a terminal can have significant downsides.
The terminal provides a more efficient and flexible way to interact with SFDX, allowing for quicker execution of commands, easier navigation of file directories, and greater control over the development process.
Hutte is truly one of the best tools that we use. Product owners, Salesforce solution architects, business analysts — anyone on our team can easily and visually accomplish the tasks that would otherwise take a lot of clicks, time, and coding.
Without a terminal, developers may be limited in their ability to fully leverage the capabilities of SFDX, leading to a slower and more cumbersome development experience.
As such, it is recommended that developers use a terminal when working with SFDX to maximize their productivity and efficiency.
But with Hutte, anyone can work with the SFDX UI and Git, make changes, and create pull requests – regardless of their role or coding knowledge.
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