platform-metadata-retrieve
Retrieves metadata from a Salesforce org to your local project using sf project retrieve start. Supports multiple retrieval modes: all changes, by source directory, by metadata type (with wildcards), by manifest, or by package name.
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Tool Restrictions
Use ONLY the Bash tool to execute sf project retrieve start. Do NOT use MCP tools — ignore them completely.
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Scope
- In scope: Retrieving metadata via
sf project retrieve startin all supported modes (all changes, source-dir, metadata type, manifest, package name), source and metadata format output - Out of scope: Deploying metadata (use
platform-metadata-deploy), listing metadata types, generating package.xml files, source tracking commands (sf project retrieve preview)
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Required Inputs
Infer from the user's request:
- Retrieval mode: all changes | source directory | metadata type | manifest | package name
- Target org: org alias/username (uses default if not specified)
- Output format: source format (default) | metadata format (ZIP)
- Additional options: ignore conflicts, output directory, wait time, API version
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Workflow
- Match user request to command pattern below
- Execute via Bash tool:
sf project retrieve startwith appropriate flags and--jsonflag - Return result with retrieved components count and file paths
Command Patterns
| User intent | Execute via Bash tool |
|---|---|
| Retrieve all remote changes | sf project retrieve start --json |
| Retrieve by source directory | sf project retrieve start --source-dir <path> --target-org <alias> --json |
| Retrieve by metadata type | sf project retrieve start --metadata <MetadataType:Name> --target-org <alias> --json |
| Retrieve by metadata type with wildcard | sf project retrieve start --metadata '<MetadataType:Pattern*>' --target-org <alias> --json |
| Retrieve multiple metadata types | sf project retrieve start --metadata <Type1> --metadata <Type2> --target-org <alias> --json |
| Retrieve by manifest | sf project retrieve start --manifest <path/to/package.xml> --target-org <alias> --json |
| Retrieve by package name | sf project retrieve start --package-name <PackageName> --target-org <alias> --json |
| Retrieve to metadata format (ZIP) | sf project retrieve start --source-dir <path> --target-metadata-dir <output> --unzip --target-org <alias> --json |
| Ignore conflicts | sf project retrieve start --source-dir <path> --ignore-conflicts --target-org <alias> --json |
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Rules / Constraints
| Constraint | Rationale |
|---|---|
Always use --json flag | Provides structured output for reliable parsing and error handling |
| Must run from within Salesforce project | Command requires sfdx-project.json at repo root |
| Wildcard patterns must be quoted | Shell expansion breaks unquoted wildcards like ApexClass:My* |
| Cannot mix --manifest with --metadata or --source-dir | Mutually exclusive flags — command will error |
| Retrieve all changes requires source tracking | Production orgs don't support source tracking — must use other retrieval modes |
| --ignore-conflicts only works on trackable orgs | No effect on production orgs; applies to scratch/sandbox only |
| --output-dir must be inside project directory | Command validates output path is within project boundary |
| --output-dir cannot match package directory | Command fails if target matches sfdx-project.json packageDirectories |
| Default wait time is 33 minutes | Use --wait flag to override for large retrievals |
| Package retrieval is for reference only | Retrieved package metadata should not be added to source control for development |
| CustomField retrieval auto-includes CustomObject | When retrieving CustomField, CLI automatically adds CustomObject to get full context |
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Troubleshooting
| Issue | Resolution |
|---|---|
| "This command is required to run from within an SFDX project" | Not in Salesforce project directory — cd to project root with sfdx-project.json |
| "No org found for <alias>" error | Org alias doesn't exist or isn't authenticated — verify with sf org list |
| "This org does not support source tracking" | Production org doesn't allow "retrieve all changes" mode — use --source-dir, --metadata, or --manifest instead |
| "ERROR running project retrieve start: Cannot mix --manifest with --metadata or --source-dir" | Remove conflicting flags — use one retrieval mode only |
| Wildcard pattern retrieves nothing | Pattern not quoted — wrap in single quotes: 'ApexClass:My*' |
| "The package directory path in sfdx-project.json does not exist" | Output directory conflicts with package directory — use different path |
| "Output directory must be inside the project" | --output-dir path is outside project boundary — use relative path inside project |
| Retrieve times out | Increase wait time with --wait 60 for large metadata volumes |
| Retrieved files overwrite local changes | Use --output-dir to retrieve to separate location, or commit local changes first |
| SourceConflictError with conflict table | Conflicts detected between local and remote on trackable org (scratch/sandbox) — resolve conflicts manually or use --ignore-conflicts to force overwrite |
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Output Expectations
The command returns JSON output with retrieved components details.
See examples/success_output.json and examples/error_output.json for response structures.
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Cross-Skill Integration
| Need | Delegate to |
|---|---|
| Deploy metadata to org | platform-metadata-deploy skill |
| Preview retrieve without executing | Execute sf project retrieve preview --target-org <alias> --json |
| List available metadata types | Execute sf org list metadata-types --target-org <alias> --json |
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Reference File Index
| File | When to read |
|---|---|
examples/success_output.json | To understand successful retrieve response structure |
examples/error_output.json | To handle common error scenarios |
references/retrieval_modes.md | For detailed explanation of all retrieval modes and when to use each |
references/cli_flags.md | For complete flag reference with usage patterns |
