Steps To Create A Developer Environment for LWC

Hello everyone,

I hope you are doing well.

In the last article, I explained some key advantages of Lightning Web Component if you have not checked please check the following link

Now, let's start to set up the developer environment for the Lightning Web Component as you can’t develop Lightning web components in the Developer Console. So, to develop Lightning web components, we have to use any code editor. for this article, I use the VS Code. To deploy and retrieve source code from your Org you need to use Salesforce CLI.

Step 1: Install Salesforce CLI with VSCode

The Salesforce CLI is a powerful command-line interface that simplifies development and builds automation when working with your Salesforce org.

To Install CLI from here: Salesforce CLI

After Installing CLI,

In Windows, upgrade to the current version open command prompt by executing the following command.

sfdx update

Find more details for sfdx commands here: sfdx commands

Install VS Code [IDE]

I use VS Code, you can use the code editor of your choice.

To Install VS code from here: VS Code

Download Salesforce Extension Pack from VS Code extensions section or download it directly from VS Code market place Salesforce Extension Pack (My Favorite)

Congrats! now that you have set up Salesforce CLI and Code Editor successfully. Let’s go ahead and set up your Dev Org to start coding.

Create Project In VS Code with Authenticate Organization

To create a project and authenticate organization please refer to the following steps:

1.In VS Code press Ctrl + Shift + P which open command palette.

2.Type sfdx: Create project with manifest and press enter.

3. Give a project name and press Enter.

4. Press Ctrl + Shift + P which open command palette.

5. Select sfdx: Authorize an org and press enter

6. Select sandbox or production accordingly and press enter

7. Enter Org Alias (short name) and press enter

8. Salesforce login page is opened in the browser tab, Enter your salesforce credentials and that’s it it’s done.

9. Optional: If you are working on the existing organization and you want to retrieve all metadata from your organization, use the following additional step

Retrieve existing Metadata from an organization

 In right-side panel right click on package.xml under the manifest folder and select"SFDX:Retrieve Source In Manifest From Org"

You can modify the package.xml if you want to retrieve specific metadata from an organization

Cheers!! you have set up your LWC developer environment successfully.

Useful References

1. Developer Guide
2. Salesforce Pre Build Lightning Web Components
3. How to Debug Lighting Web Component