🏗️ Understanding the 3-Surface Model
TrackForcePro isn't just a popup — it's a toolkit across three distinct surfaces. Understanding which surface to use first prevents confusion and makes users 3x faster.
1️⃣ Launcher Popup
Quick-access menu on the extension icon. Check current org, jump to a tool, resume last workspace. 30-second interactions.
2️⃣ Workspace Tab
Full-screen editor for serious work: SOQL, GraphQL, REST, Records, Org Tools. Multi-step workflows, tables, builders.
3️⃣ In-Page Overlays
Floating panels on Salesforce pages when context matters. Show All Data, Sidebar, LWC Explorer, right-click actions, Command Palette.
Decision Tree
- I need to jump into a tool quickly: Launcher → Workspace
- I'm writing or debugging something complex: Workspace directly (Ctrl+click extension icon, or use Launcher to resume)
- I'm on a Salesforce page and need context: Show All Data (double-click field or right-click), Sidebar (Ctrl+Shift+S), LWC Explorer, context menu
- I'm searching metadata or jumping between features: Command Palette (Ctrl+K)
🎯 The 3-Mode Architecture
All features are organized into three modes. Each mode groups related tasks and appears as a colored pill in the workspace header.
Mode 1: Explore (Blue) Explore
For querying, exploring data, and managing users & security:
- SOQL Builder — Visual query editor with inline result editing and 5 export formats
- GraphQL Builder — Three-pane query editor with real-time validation
- Records — Record scanner with All Fields table, inline edit, breadcrumb navigation
- REST Explorer — Send any REST API request with collections and history
- Schema — Search objects, fields, flows, permission sets by API name
- User Manager — Search users, update profiles, manage sessions
- Security Manager — Browse Profiles and Permission Sets with drill-down
Mode 2: Debug (Amber) Debug
For monitoring real-time events and troubleshooting:
- Platform Events — Real-time CometD streaming with event filtering
- Debug Logs — Fetch, filter, and search Apex debug logs
Mode 3: Analyze (Green) Analyze
For auditing, health checks, and administration:
- Audit Trail — Fetch Setup Audit Trail with category filter and CSV export
- Org Health — Real-time org limits and performance metrics
- Org Tools — 7 panels: Login As, Custom Labels, Deployments, Scheduled Jobs, Debug Logs, Org Limits, Admin Utils
- Org & Favicon — Custom favicons per org with 8 shapes and 8 colors
🗺️ Role-Based Learning Paths
Different roles need different first wins. Start training with your role's path.
👨💼 Admin Learning Path
| Phase | Focus | Features to Master |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner (Day 1) | Getting comfortable with the Launcher and Workspace | Launcher popup, resume workspace, switch modes, view current org |
| Intermediate (Days 2-3) | Metadata discovery and record inspection | Schema search, Records tab, All Fields table, record history, Show All Data on pages |
| Advanced (Week 2+) | Org management and automation troubleshooting | Org Tools (labels, deployments, scheduled jobs), Debug Logs, Audit Trail, User Manager |
👨💻 Developer Learning Path
| Phase | Focus | Features to Master |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner (Day 1) | SOQL querying and REST API exploration | SOQL Builder with visual editor, REST Explorer, inline result editing |
| Intermediate (Days 2-3) | Component inspection and event debugging | LWC Explorer, Platform Events, Debug Logs, GraphQL queries |
| Advanced (Week 2+) | Advanced queries and automation troubleshooting | SOQL sub-queries and aggregations, GraphQL relationships, Records bulk scan, LWC network tracing |
🎯 Support/Ops Learning Path
| Phase | Focus | Features to Master |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner (Day 1) | Record troubleshooting on Salesforce pages | Show All Data, context menu, Field History, Sharing tab |
| Intermediate (Days 2-3) | Data inspection and user access verification | Records tab, All Fields table, User Manager, Security Manager, pinned records |
| Advanced (Week 2+) | Bulk record scanning and complex triage workflows | Bulk scan (200 IDs), breadcrumb navigation, SOQL for data comparison, Search UI API queries |
📚 Trainer/Consultant Learning Path
| Phase | Focus | Features to Master |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner (Day 1) | The three-surface model and three-mode architecture | Launcher, Workspace switching, Settings, Command Palette |
| Intermediate (Days 2-3) | Teaching others the product model | All three surfaces, hands-on labs, quiz platform, leaderboard |
| Advanced (Week 2+) | Customizing training for different roles | Settings for appearance, sidebar shortcuts, keyboard shortcut customization, per-org settings |
💼 Common Daily Workflows
Master these five workflows and you'll be confident with TrackForcePro in most situations.
Workflow 1: Find a Record Problem Fast
Workflow 2: Search Metadata by API Name
Workflow 3: Inspect a Broken Page Component
Workflow 4: Triage a Failing Automation
Workflow 5: Translate or Update Labels Safely
🏋️ Hands-On Labs
Use these labs to reinforce learning. Each lab teaches both product navigation and Salesforce problem-solving.
Lab A: Metadata Discovery Race
Exercise: (1) Search a Flow API name using Command Palette (Ctrl+K). (2) Now search the same Flow in Workspace > Explore > Schema. (3) Which surface felt faster for you? Why? (4) Note the difference: Command Palette shows the top 3 results; Schema shows all results with filtering. This teaches feature selection.
Lab B: Page Context Handoff
Exercise: (1) Open any record page in Salesforce. (2) Open Show All Data via the floating button or right-click menu. (3) Find a field with history; click "Field History". (4) Then click "Open in Workspace" to jump to the Records tab. (5) Describe to someone else: when does Show All Data feel like the right choice vs. Records? This teaches cognitive load management.
Lab C: Safe Admin Work with Inline Edit
Exercise: (1) Go to Workspace > Settings > Org Management. (2) Find your production org and verify "Allow Editing" is OFF. (3) Go to Workspace > Explore > Records, try to edit a field (should be blocked with a warning). (4) Now toggle "Allow Editing" ON in Settings (for dev org only). (5) Click "Save & Apply" and watch the setting propagate. (6) Try editing again in Records — it should work now. This teaches settings management and org-level protections.
Lab D: LWC Troubleshooting Deep Dive
Exercise: (1) Open a Salesforce page with custom LWC components. (2) Launch LWC Explorer (sidebar or Ctrl+K). (3) Select a component from the tree. (4) Compare one Apex action (descriptor starts with apex://) with one UI API trace. (5) Can you spot the difference in request/response format? (6) Try filtering by "Apex" only, then "UI API" only. (7) This teaches network analysis and component debugging.
Lab E: SOQL Query Building
Exercise: (1) Open Workspace > Explore > SOQL. (2) Write a query:
SELECT Id, Name, Account.Name FROM Contact LIMIT 5. (3) Run it (Ctrl+Enter
or green Run button). (4) Try double-clicking a result cell to inline edit (if enabled).
(5) Try filtering results using the column filter icon. (6) Export the results as CSV.
This teaches the SOQL Builder end-to-end workflow.
⭐ Best Practices & Coaching Tips
For Admins
- Protect production inline edits: Always disable inline editing in Settings > Org Management for production orgs. Use dev/sandbox only for testing.
- Bookmark your most-used SOQL queries: The SOQL Builder supports multi-tab editing — create tabs for common queries (inactive users, duplicate detection, etc.)
- Use Command Palette for quick setup navigation: Instead of clicking through Setup, use Ctrl+K to search API names and jump directly.
- Export labels in bulk: Org Tools > Custom Labels lets you export all labels at once — translate offline, import back. Much faster than manual updates.
For Developers
- Use LWC Explorer to trace requests: Filter by Apex vs. UI API vs. GraphQL to understand which layer is slow. Screenshot the trace for code reviews.
- Compare SOQL vs. GraphQL results: Use both builders to query the same object — GraphQL is often more efficient for related fields.
- Bulk-scan records with IDs: Got a list of problematic record IDs? Use Records > Bulk Scan (up to 200 IDs) to inspect them all at once. Export the results.
- Set custom keyboard shortcuts: In Settings > General, configure a shortcut for "Toggle Show All Data" (no default exists) so you can inspect pages instantly.
For Trainers
- Teach surfaces first, features second: Most user confusion comes from not knowing which surface to use, not from missing features. Start with Launcher → Workspace → Overlays.
- Use the Quiz platform: After each lab, have users take a related quiz question to reinforce learning. Track leaderboard progress.
- Customize the sidebar for your org: Settings > Sidebar lets you configure shortcuts per role. Create role-specific sidebar layouts to reduce cognitive load.
- Ask the decision-tree question: After training, ask: "When would you use Show All Data vs. Records?" or "Command Palette vs. Schema?" If they can answer clearly, they understand the model.
Universal Best Practices
- One surface at a time: Don't try to use the Launcher, Workspace, and overlays simultaneously for a single task. Pick the right surface first.
- Reset to defaults if confused: Settings > Advanced > Cache Management can clear local storage and reset defaults. Safe for troubleshooting.
- Use dark mode in long sessions: Settings > Appearance > Dark Mode reduces eye strain during extended debugging.
- Backup settings regularly: Settings > Advanced > Backup lets you export your config. Useful before major browser updates or switching machines.