Salesforce deployments are no longer just about “moving metadata from sandbox to production.” As orgs grow, teams scale, and release cycles shorten, structured deployment strategies become critical. Two core approaches dominate modern Salesforce delivery:
- Salesforce Packaging
- CI/CD (Continuous Integration & Continuous Deployment)
This blog explains what they are, how they differ, when to use each, and how to implement them in a real Salesforce ecosystem -with practical guidance for developers, architects, and DevOps teams.
Table of Contents
What Is Salesforce Deployment?
Salesforce deployment is the process of transferring metadata and code (such as Apex, LWC, Flows, Objects, and Profiles) from one environment to another.
A typical lifecycle looks like this:
- Developer Sandbox → QA
- QA → UAT
- UAT → Production
Traditional tools include:
- Change Sets
- Salesforce CLI
- Metadata API
But modern Salesforce delivery relies on automation, version control, and repeatability.
What Is Salesforce Packaging?
Salesforce Packaging is a method of bundling metadata and functionality into a versioned, installable unit. Instead of deploying individual components, you deploy a package with a known structure and version history.
Types of Packages:
| Package Type | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Unlocked Package | Metadata container without namespace | Internal teams |
| Managed Package | Versioned, namespace-protected | ISVs / AppExchange |
| Org-Dependent Unlocked Package | Tightly coupled to one org | Large enterprises |
Key Characteristics of Packaging
- Versioned and traceable
- Installable across orgs
- Clear dependency management
- Promotes modular architecture
What Is CI/CD in Salesforce?
CI/CD automates the process of building, testing, and deploying Salesforce changes using pipelines.
CI/CD Stands For:
- Continuous Integration – Automatically validate changes on every commit
- Continuous Deployment/Delivery – Automatically deploy validated changes
Core Components
- Git (Version Control)
- Salesforce CLI
- CI Tool (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Azure DevOps)
- Automated Tests & Validation
In practice, CI/CD ensures that every change follows the same process, reducing human error and increasing release confidence.
Packaging vs CI/CD: The Core Differences
| Aspect | Packaging | CI/CD |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Distribution & versioning | Automation & reliability |
| Version Control | Built-in | Git-based |
| Deployment Style | Install package | Deploy metadata |
| Best For | Products, modular apps | Enterprise org delivery |
| Rollback | Install older version | Git revert + redeploy |
| AppExchange Ready | Yes | No |
Important Insight:
Packaging and CI/CD are not competitors; they complement each other.
When Should You Use Packaging?
Use Packaging when:
- You are building a reusable module
- You want a clear version history
- You plan to distribute functionality across multiple orgs
- You are building:
৹ Internal shared frameworks
৹ Industry accelerators
৹ AppExchange products
Example Use Case
A healthcare org creates a Patient Intake Engine used across multiple Salesforce orgs. Packaging ensures controlled upgrades and dependency safety.
When Should You Use CI/CD?
Use CI/CD when:
- Multiple developers work in parallel
- You want frequent, safe releases
- You need automated testing & validation
- You want to eliminate manual change sets
Example Use Case
An enterprise Sales Cloud org with weekly releases and multiple teams committing changes daily.
The Best Practice: Packaging + CI/CD Together
Ideal Enterprise Architecture
- Develop features inside unlocked packages
- Store package source in Git
- Use CI/CD to build, test, and deploy packages
- Promote packages across environments
This approach delivers:
- Modular design
- Safe deployments
- Scalable DevOps
How to Implement Packaging in Salesforce
Step 1: Enable Dev Hub
sfdx force:config:set target-dev-hub=true
Step 2: Create an Unlocked Package
sfdx force:package:create \
--name Core_Utilities \
--package-type Unlocked \
--path force-app/core \
--target-dev-hub myDevHub
Step 3: Version the Package
sfdx force:package:version:create \
--package Core_Utilities \
--installationkeybypass \
--wait 10
How to Implement CI/CD in Salesforce
Typical CI/CD Flow
- Developer pushes code to Git
- CI pipeline triggers
- Validate deployment with tests
- Deploy to target org
Sample GitHub Actions Workflow
name: Salesforce CI
on: [push]
jobs:
deploy:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v3
- uses: salesforcecli/sfdx-actions/setup@v1
- run: sfdx auth:jwt:grant --clientid ${{ secrets.CONSUMER_KEY }}
- run: sfdx force:source:deploy -p force-app --testlevel RunLocalTests
Tooling Ecosystem for Salesforce CI/CD
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| GitHub Actions | CI pipelines |
| Jenkins | Enterprise CI |
| Azure DevOps | Microsoft stack |
| Copado | Salesforce-native DevOps |
| Flosum | Metadata + compliance |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using change sets for large teams
- No version control
- Deploying directly to production
- Skipping automated tests
- Mixing packaging and non-packaged code randomly
Final Thoughts
- Packaging brings structure, versioning, and modularity
- CI/CD brings automation, speed, and reliability
- Together, they form the foundation of modern Salesforce DevOps
If you are serious about scalable Salesforce delivery, change sets are no longer enough.
Most Reads:
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Resources
- [Salesforce Developer]- (Join Now)
- [Salesforce Success Community] (https://success.salesforce.com/)
For more insights, trends, and news related to Salesforce, stay tuned with Salesforce Trail
Kiran Sreeram Prathi
I’m Kiran Sreeram Prathi, a Salesforce Developer dedicated to building scalable, intelligent, and user-focused CRM solutions. Over the past five years, I’ve delivered Salesforce implementations across healthcare, finance, and service industries—focusing on both technical precision and user experience. My expertise spans Lightning Web Components (LWC), Apex, OmniStudio, and Experience Cloud, along with CI/CD automation using GitHub Actions and integrations with platforms such as DocuSign, Conga, and Zpaper. I take pride in transforming complex workflows into seamless digital journeys and implementing clean DevOps strategies that reduce downtime and accelerate delivery. Recognized by organizations like Novartis, WILCO, and Deloitte, I enjoy solving problems that make Salesforce work smarter and scale better. I’m always open to connecting with professionals who are passionate about process transformation, architecture design, and continuous innovation in the Salesforce ecosystem.
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