TrailblazerDX 2025 may have been dominated by the Agentforce buzz, but Salesforce’s premier developer conference delivered far more than AI agent updates. From long-awaited tooling revamps to game-changing integrations, here are the top 7 developer innovations you need to know about.
1. Agentforce Now Available in Developer Edition Orgs
Salesforce’s free Developer Edition (DE) orgs just got a massive upgrade. For the first time, developers can experiment with Agentforce—Salesforce’s generative AI framework—without costly licenses. New DE orgs now include:
- 150 LLM outputs/hour for testing agent workflows.
- 10GB data space for RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) implementations.
While existing DE orgs haven’t received retroactive access, new signups via the standard portal unlock immediate AI experimentation.
2. Agentforce Tooling: CLI, Templates & OpenAPI Integration
Building AI agents just got easier with new low-code and pro-code tools:
- Salesforce CLI Plugin (
sf agent): Deploy and manage agents via command line (coming soon). - Prebuilt Agent Templates: Jumpstart projects with industry-specific blueprints.
- OpenAPI Spec Support: Connect agents to external APIs (Apex, MuleSoft, Heroku) by importing OpenAPI docs.
Plus, a new VS Code plugin auto-generates OpenAPI specs for Apex REST classes, streamlining third-party integrations.
3. Agentforce API Goes Live with SSE Support
Integrate agents into external apps using the new Agentforce API, leveraging Server-Sent Events (SSE) for real-time, chunked responses. Key features:
- Synchronous & Asynchronous Modes: Optimized for agent-to-agent or user-facing workflows.
- Broad Language Support: JavaScript, Python, Java, and more.
4. Lightning Out Revival: Embed Salesforce UI Anywhere
After years in beta, Lightning Out is finally going GA! Embed Lightning Web Components (LWC) in external apps securely via:
- Iframe & Shadow DOM: Prevent CSS/JS conflicts.
- CDN Optimization: Ensure fast loading times.
- Event-Driven Communication: Sync data between host apps and embedded LWCs.
This is a game-changer for portals, intranets, or custom dashboards needing Salesforce UI snippets.
5. Heroku AppLink: The Functions Replacement We Needed
With Salesforce Functions retiring, Heroku AppLink steps in as a sleeker solution for elastic scalability. Highlights:
- Simplified Connectivity: Use
heroku salesforce:connectto link Heroku apps to Salesforce orgs. - Salesforce SDK: Access org data seamlessly from Heroku.
- External Services: Auto-generate metadata for integrated workflows.
Ideal for offloading heavy processing from Salesforce while maintaining tight integration.
6. Spring ‘25 Updates: LWC Local Development & API Retirement
Two critical Spring ‘25 releases gained clarity at TDX:
- LWC Local Development: Restored standalone component preview alongside full app testing.
- API Version Retirement (21.0-30.0): Test readiness using the new Release Update in sandboxes to disable deprecated APIs early.
7. Apex Generics Shelved
In a bittersweet update, Apex Generics were deprioritized and moved to the long-term backlog. While disappointing for developers awaiting typed collections, Salesforce emphasized focus on AI and scalability tools.
Final Thoughts
TrailblazerDX 2025 proved that Salesforce is doubling down on developer empowerment, blending AI innovation with mature tooling. Whether you’re building agents, revamping UIs, or scaling with Heroku, these updates offer something transformative.
What’s your favorite announcement? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to tag #TDX2025 on social media!
