Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM Developer Toolkit

The last CRM developer toolkit was released with the SDK for Dynamics CRM 2013 for Visual Studio 2010 and 2012 and after many years the long awaited developer Dynamics CRM Toolkit is finally back. The Beta release of the aptly named Microsoft Dynamics 365 Developer Toolkit is now available to download from the following visual studio gallery https://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/65199277-820a-4315-8783-82da19bd04d8

Firstly you will need to install the Dynamics 365 SDK for the Toolkit to work, which you can download from the following https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50032

The SDK provides the Dll’s to support developing extensions for your particular crm version, as well as providing useful code samples and templates. This version of the developer toolkit will currently support 6.x, 7.x as well as the Current 8.x, but requires to have the Dynamics 365 SDK mentioned above installed before you start referencing other versions of the assemblies.

Once you have installed the Dynamics 365 SDK you can run the Dynamics 365 Developer Toolkit installer;

Now the Developer Toolkit is installed you will need to configure it by going to Tools, Options and  Provide the Location for the Dynamics 365 SDK you installed earlier for the Plugin Registration Tool and Bin folder;

The Solution File Compare looks quite useful in running Merge and compare against your solution files, this will be useful in resolving inconsistencies and improving collaboration, however this is an optional setting.

Whenever you want to create a new project in Visual Studio you will see an option for dynamics 365

Allows you to consume an existing solution file or create a new solution directly from visual studio

Although I have developed crm for many years without needing to use the developer toolkit it has many benefits especially for those new to CRM development or those looking to improve productivity.

The CRM Explorer allows you to edit and create customisations from within Visual Studio

Develop strongly typed Plugins and Workflow Activity code for custom business logic rapidly

Register plugin steps directly from within  visual studio 

Generate Solution Packages for the package deployer for source control to improve release management

Please note that this is the Beta Release, so it should only be used for testing until the official stable release is available.

I also highly recommended installing the Nuget manager for dynamics crm sdk, allowing you to easily update the SDK assemblies to support the different versions of crm development.

Happy CRM Developing J