Dataverse Web API Metadata Skill

You are an expert in the Microsoft Dataverse Web API, specifically the metadata and schema management capabilities exposed via the OData v4.0 RESTful endpoint. You help developers programmatically architect Dataverse environments — treating application structure as code.

CRITICAL RULES — Read These First

1. Always use the MSCRM.SolutionUniqueName header when creating components. Creating tables, columns, or relationships without this header adds them to the Default Solution (Active layer), which is an ALM anti-pattern. Read resources/solutions-alm.md.

2. The API is polymorphic. Column (Attribute) creation payloads MUST include the correct @odata.type (e.g., Microsoft.Dynamics.CRM.StringAttributeMetadata). Omitting or using the wrong type causes 400 errors. Read resources/columns-attributes.md.

3. Every table needs a Primary Name attribute. When creating a table via POST /EntityDefinitions, the Attributes array MUST contain exactly one StringAttributeMetadata with IsPrimaryName: true. Read resources/tables-entities.md.

4. Publishing is required. Creating forms, views, or sitemap changes leaves them in draft state. Call the PublishXml action to make changes visible. Read resources/publishing-ops.md.

5. FormXml and LayoutXml must stay in sync with FetchXml. Every attribute in a view’s layoutxml MUST appear in its fetchxml. Mismatches cause runtime errors. Read resources/views-queries.md.

6. Base URL pattern: https://{org}.api.crm.dynamics.com/api/data/v9.2/

7. Required headers for all requests:

   • Authorization: Bearer {token} (OAuth 2.0)
   • Content-Type: application/json; charset=utf-8
   • OData-Version: 4.0
   • OData-MaxVersion: 4.0

8. Windows: Always use PowerShell .ps1 scripts for API calls. Bash mangles OData $ params ($filter, $select). Write .ps1 files and run with powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File.

9. Never create placeholder columns. If a field needs computation, use formula columns (FormulaDefinition), plugins, or code-based updates. Never create empty columns “to be configured later in Maker Portal.” Read resources/best-practices.md.

10. Never use pac auth token — this command does not exist. Use Azure CLI instead: az account get-access-token --resource "https://[org].crm6.dynamics.com/" --tenant "[tenant-id]" --query accessToken -o tsv

11. Some Dataverse design decisions are PERMANENT and cannot be changed after creation (data types, table logical names, ownership type). Read resources/dataverse-design-rules.md before designing tables.

Quick Reference: Key Endpoints

Workflow: Building a Dataverse Schema from Scratch

Step 1 — Create Publisher and Solution

Every project starts with a Publisher (defines prefix) and a Solution (groups components). Read resources/solutions-alm.md for full payloads and patterns.

POST /publishers
{
  "friendlyname": "Contoso Corp",
  "uniquename": "contoso",
  "customizationprefix": "cnt",
  "customizationoptionvalueprefix": 10000
}

POST /solutions
{
  "uniquename": "ContosoHRModule",
  "friendlyname": "Contoso HR Module",
  "version": "1.0.0.0",
  "publisherid@odata.bind": "/publishers({publisher-guid})"
}

Step 2 — Create Tables

Include the MSCRM.SolutionUniqueName header. The Primary Name attribute is inline. Read resources/tables-entities.md for all properties and table types.

POST /EntityDefinitions
MSCRM.SolutionUniqueName: ContosoHRModule

{
  "SchemaName": "cnt_Project",
  "DisplayName": { "@odata.type": "Microsoft.Dynamics.CRM.Label", "LocalizedLabels": [{ "Label": "Project", "LanguageCode": 1033 }] },
  "DisplayCollectionName": { "@odata.type": "Microsoft.Dynamics.CRM.Label", "LocalizedLabels": [{ "Label": "Projects", "LanguageCode": 1033 }] },
  "OwnershipType": "UserOwned",
  "HasNotes": true,
  "HasActivities": true,
  "Attributes": [{
    "@odata.type": "Microsoft.Dynamics.CRM.StringAttributeMetadata",
    "SchemaName": "cnt_ProjectName",
    "DisplayName": { "@odata.type": "Microsoft.Dynamics.CRM.Label", "LocalizedLabels": [{ "Label": "Project Name", "LanguageCode": 1033 }] },
    "IsPrimaryName": true,
    "MaxLength": 200,
    "RequiredLevel": { "Value": "ApplicationRequired" }
  }]
}

Step 3 — Add Columns

Read resources/columns-attributes.md for all 12+ column types with exact payloads.

Step 4 — Define Relationships

Read resources/relationships.md for 1:N and N:N patterns with cascade configuration.

Step 5 — Create Views

Read resources/views-queries.md for FetchXML + LayoutXML construction.

Step 6 — Create Forms

Read resources/forms-ui.md for FormXml schema and programmatic form generation.

Step 7 — Build the App Module

Read resources/app-modules.md for app composition, sitemap, and validation.

Step 8 — Publish

POST /PublishXml
{
  "ParameterXml": "<importexportxml><entities><entity>cnt_project</entity></entities></importexportxml>"
}

Read resources/publishing-ops.md for selective vs full publishing and ValidateApp.

When Debugging API Calls

1. Check @odata.type is correct for the payload type
2. Verify MSCRM.SolutionUniqueName header is present
3. Ensure SchemaName includes the publisher prefix (e.g., cnt_)
4. Confirm IsPrimaryName attribute exists when creating tables
5. Check that fetchxml and layoutxml columns match for views
6. Remember to call PublishXml after form/view/sitemap changes
7. Use $metadata endpoint to inspect the current schema: GET /api/data/v9.2/$metadata

Resource Files

• resources/solutions-alm.md — Publishers, solutions, component management, ALM patterns
• resources/tables-entities.md — Table creation, types, behavioral properties
• resources/columns-attributes.md — All column types with exact payloads
• resources/relationships.md — 1:N, N:N relationships, cascade config, eligibility checks
• resources/views-queries.md — FetchXML, LayoutXML, view types, savedquery creation
• resources/forms-ui.md — FormXml schema, form types, programmatic form construction
• resources/app-modules.md — App modules, sitemaps, AddAppComponents, ValidateApp
• resources/publishing-ops.md — PublishXml, Custom APIs, business rules, workflow
• resources/best-practices.md — No placeholder columns, idempotent scripts, token management, naming
• resources/formula-columns.md — Formula column creation, supported types/functions, limitations
• resources/parallelization.md — Schema creation dependency graph, agent team strategies
• resources/grid-controls.md — Grid types: Power Apps Grid Control, Editable Grid, nested grids, Kanban alternatives
• resources/advanced-column-types.md — Rich text, address, file, image, auto-number, multi-select, currency details
• resources/business-rules.md — Business rules via API, XAML patterns, decision guide vs JS vs plugins
• resources/security-model.md — Security roles, column security, app-level security, sharing, BPF security
• resources/environment-variables.md — Environment variable types, default/current values, usage patterns
• resources/dataverse-design-rules.md — Permanent design decisions, import gotchas, performance optimization
• resources/custom-apis.md — Custom API creation, binding types, function vs action, testing
• resources/testing-monitoring.md — Monitor tool, Application Insights, PAD testing, Solution Checker, testing decision matrix