Salesforce CLI now has built-in discovery commands. Start with `sf search`, `sf commands`, command help, shell completion, and `sf which`; use `grep` only as a fallback for narrowing text output.
### 1. Finding Basic Commands
Starting with the basics, let's say you need to find commands related to organizations (`orgs`). The Salesforce CLI has various org-related commands, but to find them quickly:
```sh
sf org --help | grep "org"
```
This command filters the extensive help information of `sf org` to lines containing "org", giving you a quick overview of available org commands.
### 2. Locating Commands for Data Manipulation
Often, you'll need to manipulate data, like querying or exporting data. For instance, to find commands related to querying data:
```sh
sf data --help | grep "query"
```
This reveals options and subcommands under `sf data` that are related to querying, making it easier to find the exact syntax or command you need.
### 3. Searching for Deployment Commands
Deployment is a critical task, and you need to get the commands right. If you're looking for commands related to deploying metadata:
```sh
sf project deploy start --help | grep -i "test\|target"
```
This filters out the specific options and subcommands for metadata deployment, simplifying the task of finding the right command for your deployment needs.
### 4. User Management Commands
Managing users is a common task. To find commands related to user creation or management:
```sh
sf user --help | grep "create"
```
This command is particularly useful when you're looking to create new users and need to know the specific command and its options.
### 5. Environment and Instance Management
For managing your environments or instances, you might need specific commands. To find those:
```sh
sf env --help | grep "list"
```
This is helpful to list all environments or instances, providing you with the exact command to use.
### Advanced Tips
- **Case-Insensitive Search**: Use `grep -i` for a case-insensitive search, which is particularly useful if you're unsure about the casing.
- **Extended Patterns**: Use `egrep` or `grep -E` for more complex pattern searches.
- **Contextual Search**: If you need more context around your search, use `grep` with `-B`, `-A`, or `-C` to display lines before, after, or around the matching line.
### A better discovery sequence
Run `sf search`, inspect `sf <topic> --help`, then open the exact command's help. Use `sf which <command>` to identify its plugin and `sf commands` for an inventory. `grep` is Unix-specific and can hide surrounding context, so documentation and built-in help remain the source of truth. Verified against the [Salesforce CLI discovery guide](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/salesforce-cli-plugin/guide/super-powers.html) on 2026-08-01.
Salesforce CLI now has built-in discovery commands. Start with sf search, sf commands, command help, shell completion, and sf which; use grep only as a fallback for narrowing text output.
1. Finding Basic Commands
Starting with the basics, let’s say you need to find commands related to organizations (orgs). The Salesforce CLI has various org-related commands, but to find them quickly:
1
sf org --help | grep "org"
This command filters the extensive help information of sf org to lines containing “org”, giving you a quick overview of available org commands.
2. Locating Commands for Data Manipulation
Often, you’ll need to manipulate data, like querying or exporting data. For instance, to find commands related to querying data:
1
sf data --help | grep "query"
This reveals options and subcommands under sf data that are related to querying, making it easier to find the exact syntax or command you need.
3. Searching for Deployment Commands
Deployment is a critical task, and you need to get the commands right. If you’re looking for commands related to deploying metadata:
1
sf project deploy start --help | grep -i "test\|target"
This filters out the specific options and subcommands for metadata deployment, simplifying the task of finding the right command for your deployment needs.
4. User Management Commands
Managing users is a common task. To find commands related to user creation or management:
1
sf user --help | grep "create"
This command is particularly useful when you’re looking to create new users and need to know the specific command and its options.
5. Environment and Instance Management
For managing your environments or instances, you might need specific commands. To find those:
1
sf env --help | grep "list"
This is helpful to list all environments or instances, providing you with the exact command to use.
Advanced Tips
Case-Insensitive Search: Use grep -i for a case-insensitive search, which is particularly useful if you’re unsure about the casing.
Extended Patterns: Use egrep or grep -E for more complex pattern searches.
Contextual Search: If you need more context around your search, use grep with -B, -A, or -C to display lines before, after, or around the matching line.
A better discovery sequence
Run sf search, inspect sf <topic> --help, then open the exact command’s help. Use sf which <command> to identify its plugin and sf commands for an inventory. grep is Unix-specific and can hide surrounding context, so documentation and built-in help remain the source of truth. Verified against the Salesforce CLI discovery guide on 2026-08-01.
