First-Generation Managed Packaging Developer Guide

First-Generation Managed Packages
Why Switch to Second-Generation Managed Packaging?
Move to 2GP: Migrate Your Managed Packages with Ease
Register a Namespace for a First-Generation Managed Package
Create a First-Generation Managed Package Using a UI
Create a First-Generation Managed Package using Salesforce DX
Components Available in First-Generation Managed Packages
Behavior of Specific Metadata in First-Generation Managed Packages
Get Access to Agentforce in Your 1GP Packaging Org
Components Automatically Added to First-Generation Managed Packages
Protected Components in Managed Packages
Set Up a Platform Cache Partition with Provider Free Capacity
Package Dependencies in First-Generation Managed Packages
Metadata Access in Apex Code
Permission Sets and Profile Settings in Packages
Permission Set Groups
Custom Profile Settings
Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Call Salesforce URLs Within a Package
Develop App Documentation
API and Dynamic Apex Access in Packages
Connected Apps
Package and Test Your First-Generation Managed Package
Update Your First-Generation Managed Package
Publish Upgrades to First-Generation Managed Packages
Manage Licenses for Managed Packages
Manage Features in First-Generation Managed Packages
AppExchange App Analytics for First-Generation Managed Packages
Developing and Distributing Unmanaged Packages
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Connected Apps

A connected app is a framework that enables an external application to integrate with Salesforce using APIs and standard protocols, such as SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect. Connected apps use these protocols to authenticate, authorize, and provide single sign-on (SSO) for external apps. The external apps that are integrated with Salesforce can run on the customer success platform, other platforms, devices, or SaaS subscriptions. For example, when you log in to your Salesforce mobile app and see your data from your Salesforce org, you’re using a connected app.

Connected apps creation is restricted as of Spring ‘26. You can continue to use existing connected apps during and after Spring ‘26. However, we recommend using external client apps instead. If you must continue creating connected apps, contact Salesforce Support. See New connected apps can no longer be created in Spring ‘26 for more details.

Note

By capturing metadata about an external app, a connected app tells Salesforce which authentication protocol—SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect—the external app uses, and where the external app runs. Salesforce can then grant the external app access to its data, and attach policies that define access restrictions, such as when the app’s access expires. Salesforce can also audit connected app usage.

To learn more about how to use, configure, and manage connected apps, see the following topics in Salesforce Help:

More Resources

Here are some additional resources to help you navigate connected apps: