# Common Actions

We recommend that you use these core Salesforce CLI actions whenever possible. Consistent vocabulary creates a consistent user experience and reduces the cognitive load for Salesforce CLI users.

| Action      | Description                                                                             | Example                      |
| :---------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------- |
| `assign`    | Associate something with the user.                                                      | `sf org assign permset`      |
| `create`    | Create a new resource on a remote server.                                               | `sf org create sandbox`      |
| `delete`    | Delete a resource from a remote server.                                                 | `sf org delete scratch`      |
| `deploy`    | Deploy local source code to an environment.                                             | `sf project deploy start`    |
| `describe`  | Get information that describes a resource, such as metadata about a standard object.    | `sf sobject describe`        |
| `display`   | Output more extensive information, such as multiple tables and long text.               | `sf org display`             |
| `export`    | Export data from an org or data store to one or more local files.                       | `sf data export tree`        |
| `generate`  | Generate files on the local computer for scaffolding new code, such as Apex classes.    | `sf apex generate class`     |
| `get`       | Get and show a single record.                                                           | `sf data get record`         |
| `import`    | Import data into an org and or data store.                                              | `sf data import tree`        |
| `insert`    | Insert a piece of data, such as a record.                                               | `sf cmdt insert record`      |
| `install`   | Add an external resource, such as a plugin, to a local Salesforce CLI installation.     | `sf plugins install`         |
| `link`      | Link a resource, such as plugin, into a local Salesforce CLI for development.           | `sf plugins link`            |
| `list`      | Output a single column of data or name-value pairs.                                     | `sf org list`                |
| `log`       | Log output for an environment.                                                          | `sf env log`                 |
| `login`     | Log in to an environment.                                                               | `sf org login web`           |
| `logout`    | Log out of an environment.                                                              | `sf org logout`              |
| `open`      | Open an environment in a web browser.                                                   | `sf org open`                |
| `promote`   | Advance a resource in a release or workflow pipeline.                                   | `sf package version promote` |
| `publish`   | Publish something, such as an Experience Builder site, to make it live.                 | `sf community publish`       |
| `query`     | Execute a data store query.                                                             | `sf data query`              |
| `report`    | Check the status of an operation, such as a deployment.                                 | `sf project deploy report`   |
| `resume`    | Continue a job that was previously started. All resumable jobs are given an ID.         | `sf project deploy resume`   |
| `retrieve`  | Retrieve local source code from an environment.                                         | `sf project retrieve start`  |
| `run`       | Execute code or tests, such as Apex classes.                                            | `sf apex run`                |
| `set`       | Set local or global configuration variables.                                            | `sf alias set`               |
| `tail`      | Stream log output.                                                                      | `sf apex tail log`           |
| `unset`     | Unset local or global configuration variables.                                          | `sf alias unset`             |
| `uninstall` | Remove external resource from a local Salesforce CLI installation.                      | `sf plugins uninstall`       |
| `unlink`    | Unlink a resource from a local Salesforce CLI installation.                             | `sf plugins unlink`          |
| `update`    | Get the most recent version of a resource.                                              | `sf plugins update`          |
| `upsert`    | Update existing data if exists, and insert a new one if doesn't.                        | `sf data upsert bulk`        |
| `validate`  | Validate something, such as a deployment or retrieval, without executing it.            | `sf project deploy validate` |
| `which`     | Show which resource, such as a plugin, another resource, such as a command, belongs to. | `sf which`                   |