Force.com IDE Developer Guide

Get Started with the Force.com IDE
Install the Force.com IDE Plug-In
Quickstart: Explore the Force.com IDE
Offline and Online Modes
Update the Force.com IDE
Develop with the Force.com IDE
Test Code with the Force.com IDE
Deploy Code with the Force.com IDE
Get Started with the Apex Debugger
Solutions to Common Force.com IDE Problems
Force.com IDE Release Notes
Useful References
PDF

Offline and Online Modes

Increase your productivity by reducing the time required for saving the projects you create using the Force.com IDE in offline mode, which is the default setting.

Force.com IDE is in a maintenance-only state. We still provide support for the product through our official channels, but updates prior to October 12, 2019 will be only for critical security issues that arise. On October 12, 2019, we will no longer provide support or updates of any kind for Force.com IDE. On that date, we will also begin archiving documentation and removing download links for the product. We recommend that you start migrating to Salesforce Extensions for Visual Studio Code or one of the great tools made by our partners. For more information, see The Future of Salesforce IDEs on the Salesforce Developers Blog.

Warning

By default, the Force.com IDE creates projects in offline mode. When you work in offline mode, you avoid compiling your org’s Apex code each time you save your files. If, however, you have a stable Internet connection and a small- to medium-sized code base, consider toggling your projects to online mode.

Toggle Between Offline and Online Modes

Right-click your project in the Package Explorer and choose Force.com, and then select the mode in which you want to work.

Save Files

When working online, the files you save are saved on the server and then retrieved from the server into your project. When working offline, files are saved locally. You can, however, save files to the server when you right-click the file in the Package Explorer and choose Force.com | Save to Server. This action is the same as when you save files while working online.