Tasks to automate Dynamics 365 post-deployment steps

1. Tasks

1.1 Data transfer

Transfer configuration data between environments. Code adapted from ConfigDataMover.

1.1.1 Export to file

Runs a given fetchXml query to retrieve data from CRM and store it as json at a given directory.

1.1.2 Import to CRM

Reads data as json from a given directory and imports it into CRM.

1.2 Duplicate detection rules

Establish which duplicate detection rules are published before a deployment, and then republish them after a deployment.

1.2.1 Get published duplicate detection rules

Gets all published duplicate detection rules in CRM and stores them as a json file.

1.2.2 Publish duplicate detection rules

Reads a json file to determine which duplicate detection rules should be republished and republishes them.

1.3 Deactivate forms

Deactivates all forms in CRM matching any of the ids given as a comma separated string.

1.4 Update SLA

Conditionally sets an SLA as being active and/or default. Can also retrieve business hours (calendar) and assign it to the SLA.

1.5 Assign workflows to user

Assigns all workflows in CRM to a given user.

2. Usage

• Compile code in release mode.
• Create an empty release task. See Microsoft HowTo.

How you execute the VstsExtensions.dll is your choice. This example uses PowerShell to deploy the task "Export to file":

• In your tasks folder, add ExportToFile.ps1:

[CmdletBinding(DefaultParameterSetName = 'None')]
param (
    [String] [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)] 
    $Connection,

    [String] [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)]
    $WorkingDirectory,

    [String] [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)]
    $FetchXml
)

$ScriptPath = Split-Path -parent $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Definition
$ExtensionsPath = $ScriptPath + "\VstsExtensions.dll"
$ExtensionsCorePath = $ScriptPath + "\VstsExtensions.Core.dll"

Write-Verbose "Entering ExportToFile.ps1"
Write-Verbose "Connection is $Connection"
Write-Verbose "Working direcory is $WorkingDirectory"

Get-ChildItem path -recurse

Add-Type -Path $ExtensionsPath
Add-Type -Path $ExtensionsCorePath

$ExportToFile = New-Object -TypeName VstsExtensions.ExportToFile -ArgumentList $Connection, $WorkingDirectory, $FetchXml
$ExportToFile.Run()

Write-Verbose "Leaving ExportToFile.ps1"

• In your task.json, specify input parameters:

"inputs": [
    {
        "name": "Connection",
        "type": "string",
        "label": "Connection",
        "defaultValue": "",
        "required": true,
        "helpMarkDown": "CRM connection string"
    },
    {
        "name": "WorkingDirectory",
        "type": "string",
        "label": "Working Directory",
        "defaultValue": "",
        "required": true,
        "helpMarkDown": "Default working directory. Must match the directory used to read from when importing data to CRM."
    },
    {
        "name": "FetchXml",
        "type": "string",
        "label": "FetchXml",
        "defaultValue": "",
        "required": true,
        "helpMarkDown": "Query used to read data from CRM."
    }
]

Also specify your execution:

"execution": {
    "PowerShell": {
        "target": "$(currentDirectory)\\ExportToFile.ps1",
        "workingDirectory": "$(currentDirectory)"
    }
}

• Run your script locally to confirm it's working.
• Build your VSTS task with tfx extension create --manifest-globs vss-extension.json. It will compile to a .tfix file.
• Publish your extension to VSTS. See Microsoft HowTo.