XppForge Visual Studio Extension: Create X++ Objects in Seconds#

Writing X++ code is only part of D365 Finance & Operations development. Before you can start implementing business logic, you often need to create classes, menu items, security objects, controllers, contracts, UI builders, and other metadata.

Most of that work is repetitive.

The XppForge Visual Studio Extension helps automate those repetitive tasks by generating complete X++ objects directly inside Visual Studio. Instead of manually creating multiple metadata files, you simply choose the object you want to generate, provide a few inputs, and let XppForge do the rest.

Everything runs locally, so your source code never leaves your machine.

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Opening XppForge#

After installing the extension, right-click anywhere inside Solution Explorer.

You'll see a new XppForge menu with tools for:

• Format X++
• Analyze X++
• Generate X++ Objects
• Convert SQL to X++
• Open the X++ Workbench

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Opening the X++ Workbench#

Most of the extension's functionality is available through the X++ Workbench.

The workbench provides a single interface for generating common D365FO objects. Select a generator, enter the required information, and XppForge generates the artifacts for you.

Everything is generated locally. Your source code is never uploaded to external services.

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Available Generators#

The workbench currently includes generators for:

• SysOperation Framework
• Chain of Command
• Event Handlers
• Class Objects
• Form Bundles
• Table Bundles
• SSRS Report Bundles
• Retry-Aware Batch Processes
• Approval Workflows
• Documentation & Inventory
• Unit Test Scaffolds
• Custom Templates

Additional productivity tools include:

• X++ Formatter
• X++ Code Analyzer
• SQL to X++ Converter
• Naming Utilities

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Creating a Class#

Creating a class in D365FO is simple, but creating the required metadata manually still takes time.

With XppForge, select Class Object, enter a class name, and click Generate Class.

The generated XML is displayed immediately so you can review it before saving.

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Review the Generated Output#

Before anything is written to disk, XppForge lets you review every generated artifact.

This makes it easy to:

• Verify the generated code
• Copy individual artifacts
• Make changes before saving
• Review the generated metadata

Nothing is saved until you choose to save it.

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Saving Generated Objects#

When you're ready, click Save.

Choose your project or package folder, and XppForge validates the folder structure before writing the generated files.

After saving, the generated objects are immediately available.

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Generating Multiple Objects#

Some generators create multiple related artifacts.

For example, the Form Bundle generator creates everything needed to begin building a new form, including the related security objects.

Instead of manually creating each artifact, XppForge generates them together.

Once saved, each object is written into its appropriate metadata folder.

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Local-First by Design#

One of the design goals of XppForge is protecting customer source code.

All formatting, analysis, and object generation happens locally inside Visual Studio.

Benefits include:

• No source code uploads
• No cloud processing
• Faster generation
• Better privacy
• No dependency on external AI services

Your code stays on your computer.

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Current Features#

The XppForge Visual Studio Extension currently includes:

• X++ Formatter
• X++ Static Code Analyzer
• SQL to X++ Converter
• SysOperation Framework Generator
• Chain of Command Generator
• Event Handler Generator
• Class Object Generator
• Form Bundle Generator
• Table Bundle Generator
• SSRS Report Bundle Generator
• Retry-Aware Batch Generator
• Approval Workflow Generator
• Documentation & Inventory Generator
• Unit Test Scaffold Generator
• Custom Templates
• Naming Utilities

New generators and developer productivity tools are added regularly.

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Conclusion#

The goal of XppForge is simple—remove repetitive development work.

Instead of spending time creating boilerplate objects and metadata, you can generate them in seconds and focus on implementing business logic.

Whether you're building a SysOperation framework, creating a new form, generating security objects, or scaffolding an entire feature, XppForge helps you get started faster without leaving Visual Studio.