Metadata API Developer Guide
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Modify Metadata Through Metadata API Functions Permission
Users with the Modify Metadata Through Metadata API Functions
permission can update metadata (including Apex) through Metadata API even if they don’t also have
the Modify All Data permission. Metadata API is used for deployments using change sets, the Ant
Migration Tool, or the Salesforce CLI. Users must have the permission that enables use of the
feature supported by the metadata they’re trying to modify. They must also have the permission
that enables their deployment tool.
The Modify Metadata Through Metadata API Functions permission doesn’t impact direct customization of metadata using Setup UI pages, because those pages don’t use Metadata API for updates.
Some metadata, such as Apex, executes in system context, so be careful how you delegate the Modify Metadata Through Metadata API Functions permission. Modify Metadata Through Metadata API Functions allows deployment of Apex metadata, but it doesn’t allow some Apex development and debugging features that still require the Modify All Data permission.
Modify Metadata Through Metadata API Functions is enabled automatically when either the Deploy Change Sets or the Author Apex permission is selected.