Build Salesforce Project in VS Code using ForceCode Extension

Prerequisite

• JAVA SE 13
• https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-jdk13-downloads.html

• Salesforce CLI
• https://developer.salesforce.com/tools/sfdxcli
• Visual Studio Code
• https://code.visualstudio.com/
• ForceCode Extension
• https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=JohnAaronNelson.ForceCode

Create Project with ForceCode

• Open VS Code.
• Open Show all commands (ctrl + Shift + P).
• Type/Look for ForceCode: Create Project.
• Specify the Folder you need to store the Project.
• On Bottom Left-hand side you will notice  ForceCode Loading...
• On top of the screen, you will be prompted with an option to select the type of your org.
• After selecting your org, you need to specify whether you want to save and compile your files on the go or not. Please select Yes.
• After that, it will take you to your default web browser for authenticating the Salesforce Org.
• After Successful authenticating, your VS Code is ready to use with ForceCode.

Check out an existing Project

• Create a Package.xml file under the src folder of your project.
• You can use Salesforce Package.xml Generator Extension for VS Code to generate the Package.xml
• https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=VignaeshRamA.sfdx-package-xml-generator
• Click on the ForceCode menu on the right-hand side bottom of the page.
• Type Retrieve Package/Metadata and select from the menu.
• Click on Retrieve by Package.xml option.
• You can see the status of retrieve in the bottom bar of the VS code.
• And after successful retrieval, Your files will be available in the src folder.

Edit/Save/Compile a file

• Open an Apex class.
• Modify something and press Ctrl + S.
• You can check the save and compile status in the ForceCode Extension tab.
• You can Find the ForceCode Extension tab in the left sidebar.
• Similarly, you can create a new Apex Class under the src/classes folder and save it.
• You can follow similar steps for the rest of the elements like LWC, Aura Component, Visualforce, etc.
• Verify your changes in your org.

Bonus Tips

• You can always use salesforce standard CLI commands while working with a ForceCode Project.
• If you need to download and open a new file 
• Got to ForceCode menu Open Salesforce File
• A list will appear with the available files which you can download.
• Use ForceCodeLog in to Salesforce for login to a different org.
• Switch between orgs 
• Click ForceCode Extension bar in the Left-hand side menu.
• Switch between saved Username from the list to switch different orgs.
• Use Package.xml to deploy the files defined in the package to another org.
• Firstly switch to the org you wish to deploy.
• Got to ForceCode MenuDeploy PackageDeploy from Package.xml.