platform-report-generate
Use when users create, generate, or validate Salesforce Lightning Report metadata (.report-meta.xml) — tabular, summary, matrix, or joined reports with columns, groupings, filters, charts, cross-filters, buckets, formulas, or time-frame filters. Triggers on "create a report", "build a report", "add a chart", or .report-meta.xml deploy errors. Do NOT trigger for Custom Report Type metadata (use platform-custom-report-type-generate), dashboards, list views, running reports in the UI, or SOQL.
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Safety (NVIDIA SkillSpector)
Risk score
0/100
Recommendation
CAUTION
Severity
LOW
Savant decision
Passed (low risk)
SkillSpector rated it CAUTION, but its risk score is below 20/100, so Savant's policy passes it. Its findings are still listed for review. SkillSpector 2.12.0, static analysis.
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SKILL.md
---
name: platform-report-generate
description: "Use when users create, generate, or validate Salesforce Lightning Report metadata (.report-meta.xml) — tabular, summary, matrix, or joined reports with columns, groupings, filters, charts, cross-filters, buckets, formulas, or time-frame filters. Triggers on \"create a report\", \"build a report\", \"add a chart\", or .report-meta.xml deploy errors. Do NOT trigger for Custom Report Type metadata (use platform-custom-report-type-generate), dashboards, list views, running reports in the UI, or SOQL."
metadata:
version: "1.0"
domains: ["Platform"]
minApiVersion: "60.0"
relatedSkills:
- "platform-custom-report-type-generate"
mcpTools:
salesforce-api-context:
tools: ["get_metadata_type_context", "get_metadata_type_sections", "get_metadata_type_shape"]
semver: ">=1.0.0"
---
## Overview
Lightning Reports define how Salesforce data is queried, grouped, filtered, and displayed. Each report is a single `.report-meta.xml` file placed under `reports/<FolderName>/` within the project's source directory (check `sfdx-project.json` → `packageDirectories[].path` for the source root).
## Critical Rules (Read First)
**TOP DEPLOYMENT KILLERS — check these BEFORE generating any report:**
1. **Grouping fields in columns** — Fields in `<groupingsDown>` or `<groupingsAcross>` must NEVER also appear in `<columns>`
2. **Wrong column names** — Column names are report-type-specific. ALWAYS call MCP tools to verify (see `references/column-names.md`)
3. **Wrong scope** — LeadList uses `org`, not `organization`
4. **Filter column dot notation** — Filter `<column>` values use FLAT names (`INDUSTRY`, `TYPE`) NOT dot notation (`ACCOUNT.INDUSTRY` is INVALID)
5. **Multi-value picklist filters** — Use ONE `<criteriaItems>` with comma-separated `<value>` (e.g., `Technology,Financial Services`). Do NOT split into multiple criteriaItems with booleanFilter
### Rule 1: Format Determines Required Elements
| Format | `<groupingsDown>` | `<groupingsAcross>` | `<block>` |
|--------|-------------------|---------------------|-----------|
| `Tabular` | Not allowed | Not allowed | No |
| `Summary` | At least 1 (max 3) | Not allowed | No |
| `Matrix` | At least 1 (max 3) | At least 1 (max 3) | No |
| `Joined` | Not at top level | Not at top level | At least 2 (max 5) |
### Rule 2: Use Platform Column Names
Report metadata uses **platform report column names**, NOT raw API field names. **ALWAYS call `get_metadata_type_sections` or `get_metadata_type_context` to confirm valid column names.** See `references/column-names.md` for common mappings per report type.
### Rule 3: Valid Report Type Required
`<reportType>` must be a standard API name (e.g., `Opportunity`, `AccountList`, `CaseList`, `LeadList`, `AccountContactRole`) or a deployed custom report type developer name.
### Rule 4–5: Chart & Aggregates Require Summary/Matrix
Charts and `<aggregateTypes>` (Sum, Average, etc.) only work in Summary and Matrix reports.
### Rule 6–8: Limits
- Max **3 cross-filters** per report, each with up to **5 criteria items**
- `<filterLogic>` must reference all filters sequentially (e.g., `1 AND (2 OR 3)`)
- Joined reports: 2–5 blocks, each block format must be Summary or Matrix (not Tabular)
### Rule 9: Folder Structure
Reports must live inside a folder with a corresponding folder metadata file:
```xml
<sourceDir>/reports/<FolderName>/<ReportName>.report-meta.xml
<sourceDir>/reports/<FolderName>-meta.xml
```
Determine `<sourceDir>` from `sfdx-project.json` (commonly `force-app/main/default`, but this is configurable).
### Rule 10–11: Date Columns & Scope
- Date columns use platform names (`CLOSE_DATE`, not `CloseDate`)
- LeadList scope is `org`; Opportunity/AccountList/CaseList use `organization`
### Rule 12–13: Description & Groupings
- `<description>` max **255 characters**
- Grouping fields must NOT appear in `<columns>` — automatic deployment failure
### Rule 14: Folder Metadata Requires `<sharedTo>`
```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<ReportFolder xmlns="http://soap.sforce.com/2006/04/metadata">
<folderShares>
<accessLevel>Manage</accessLevel>
<sharedTo>AllInternalUsers</sharedTo>
<sharedToType>Group</sharedToType>
</folderShares>
<name>My Report Folder</name>
</ReportFolder>
```
### Rule 15: Valid Date Intervals Only
Use `INTERVAL_CURRENT` for "this quarter", `INTERVAL_CURY` for "this year", `INTERVAL_LAST30` for last 30 days. Do NOT use `INTERVAL_CURQ` — it is not valid. See `references/date-intervals.md` for the full list.
## Top-Level Elements
| Element | Required | Notes |
|---------|----------|-------|
| `<name>` | Yes | Report name (max 40 chars) |
| `<reportType>` | Yes | Report type API name |
| `<format>` | Yes | `Tabular`, `Summary`, `Matrix`, or `Joined` |
| `<scope>` | Recommended | `organization` (or `org` for LeadList) |
| `<columns>` | Yes | Field columns — each has `<field>` and optional `<aggregateTypes>` |
| `<filter>` | No | Contains `<criteriaItems>` with `<column>`, `<operator>`, `<value>` |
| `<groupingsDown>` | Conditional | Row groupings: `<field>`, `<dateGranularity>`, `<sortOrder>` |
| `<groupingsAcross>` | Conditional | Column groupings (Matrix only) |
| `<timeFrameFilter>` | Recommended | `<dateColumn>`, `<interval>`, optional `<startDate>`/`<endDate>` |
| `<chart>` | No | See `references/chart-types.md` |
| `<buckets>` | No | Bucket field definitions |
| `<crossFilters>` | No | Cross-object filters (`with`/`without`) |
| `<showDetails>` | Recommended | `true`/`false` |
| `<showGrandTotal>` | Recommended | `true`/`false` |
| `<showSubTotals>` | Recommended | `true`/`false` |
| `<description>` | Recommended | Business purpose (max 255 chars) |
| `<block>` | Conditional | Joined format blocks |
## Filter Syntax
```xml
<filter>
<criteriaItems>
<column>STAGE_NAME</column>
<operator>equals</operator>
<value>Closed Won</value>
</criteriaItems>
</filter>
```
**Multi-value picklist:** Use ONE criteriaItem with comma-separated values:
```xml
<criteriaItems>
<column>INDUSTRY</column>
<operator>equals</operator>
<value>Technology,Financial Services</value>
</criteriaItems>
```
Common operators: `equals`, `notEqual`, `lessThan`, `greaterThan`, `contains`, `startsWith`, `includes`, `excludes`, `isBlank`, `notBlank`. Full list in `references/filter-operations.md`.
## Generation Workflow
1. **Gather Requirements** — object, fields, groupings, filters, chart needs
2. **Determine Format** — no groupings → Tabular; row groupings → Summary; row + column → Matrix; multiple objects → Joined
3. **Identify Column Names** — call `get_metadata_type_sections` MCP tool to get valid platform column names for the report type
4. **Author Metadata** — start from closest example in `examples/` and adapt
5. **Create Folder** — generate folder directory + `<FolderName>-meta.xml` with `<folderShares>`
6. **Validate** — run through `references/verification-checklist.md`
## Reference File Index
| File | When to read |
|------|--------------|
| `references/column-names.md` | Step 3 — column name mappings per report type |
| `references/date-intervals.md` | When setting timeFrameFilter intervals |
| `references/chart-types.md` | When adding a chart — all 17 types + legendPosition rules |
| `references/filter-operations.md` | When building filters — complete operator reference |
| `references/verification-checklist.md` | Step 6 — pre-deploy validation |
| `references/errors-and-troubleshooting.md` | When fields are missing or deployment fails |
| `examples/TabularOpportunitiesReport.report-meta.xml` | Tabular report template |
| `examples/OpportunitiesByStageReport.report-meta.xml` | Summary report with chart |
| `examples/OpportunitiesByStageAndQuarter.report-meta.xml` | Matrix report template |
| `examples/AccountsCreatedThisYear.report-meta.xml` | Filtered report with time frame |