Building a React CRUD App on Salesforce with GraphQL

Building a React CRUD App on Salesforce with GraphQL requires minimal plumbing. The process begins with a prebuilt SFDX project that includes a React app and necessary dependencies. The project is then connected to a Salesforce sandbox.

To integrate React and GraphQL, the first step is generating the Salesforce GraphQL schema using the command `npm run graphql:schema`. This schema describes the accessible objects and queries in the org.

Next, define the GraphQL operations required for the UI. In this example, the app needs to fetch Case details and update them. The queries include getting Cases and Case details, while the mutation updates a Case.

After defining the operations, generate TypeScript types from the Salesforce schema and operations using `npm run graphql:codegen`. This generates type-safe definitions for query results, variables, and mutations, eliminating the need for manual data shape definitions.

To execute the queries and mutations, use the Data SDK (`@salesforce/platform-sdk`). This SDK includes a GraphQL client that handles authentication and CSRF token management.

The interesting part of this integration is how well React, GraphQL, and Salesforce's backend components fit together. React is excellent at building the UI, while GraphQL efficiently fetches the required data, including related data in a single query. AI coding tools can generate React boilerplate, GraphQL queries, and wire the pieces together.

Salesforce provides the backend, handling data models, relationships, authentication, permissions, validation, and APIs. This setup allows developers to focus more on UI/UX and determining the desired data presentation.