Creating custom Salesforce apps and Lightning components enables businesses to tailor their CRM experience without extensive coding. Salesforce provides two primary tools for this: Lightning App Builder for no-code/low-code app creation and Lightning Web Components (LWC) for custom development. The process combines declarative point-and-click configuration with optional programmatic customization, allowing both admins and developers to build solutions that match specific workflows.

Key takeaways from the available sources:

• Lightning App Builder is a drag-and-drop tool for creating custom apps, pages, and layouts without code, supporting standard, custom, and third-party components ^[3][7][9]
• Custom Lightning components can be built using Lightning Web Components (LWC) or Aura Components, requiring developer skills but offering deeper functionality ^[5][10]
• App types include Home Pages, App Pages, and Record Pages, each serving different user needs and device formats ^[3][9]
• Permissions and editions determine access to these tools, with most features available in Enterprise, Unlimited, and Developer editions ^[7]

Building Custom Salesforce Apps and Lightning Components

Creating Custom Apps with Lightning App Builder

Lightning App Builder is Salesforce’s primary tool for creating custom apps through a visual interface, eliminating the need for coding in most scenarios. This tool supports the assembly of apps using pre-built components, custom components, and third-party integrations. The process begins in Setup, where users access the App Manager to create new Lightning apps or modify existing ones. Each app can be branded with custom colors, logos, and navigation items tailored to specific user roles or business functions ^[4][7][8].

Key steps and features of Lightning App Builder include:

• App creation workflow: From Setup, navigate to App Manager > New Lightning App, then follow the wizard to name the app, set branding (colors/logos), and assign navigation items. For example, the "Energy Consultations" app demo shows how to group related objects like Accounts, Contacts, and custom objects into a single interface ^[4]
• Page types: Users can design three primary page types:
• App Pages: Dashboard-style layouts for overview screens (e.g., a "Top Accounts and Opportunities" page) ^[3]
• Home Pages: Customizable landing pages for users when they log in ^[9]
• Record Pages: Detail pages for specific objects (e.g., Account or Opportunity records) ^[7]
• Component palette: The builder provides a library of standard components (e.g., charts, lists, filters) and supports adding custom Lightning components. Components can be dragged onto the canvas and configured via a properties pane ^[3][10]
• Responsive design: Apps automatically adapt to desktop and mobile layouts, with a preview mode to test mobile responsiveness ^[1][8]
• Utility bar: A persistent bottom toolbar in Lightning apps that provides quick access to frequently used components (e.g., notes, recent items) ^[8]

Permissions required to use Lightning App Builder include "Customize Application" and "Modify All Data" for full management capabilities. The tool is available in Enterprise, Unlimited, Performance, and Developer editions, with limited functionality in Professional and Group editions ^[7]. For users transitioning from Salesforce Classic, existing apps can be upgraded to Lightning with a two-click process, preserving access to Classic while enabling new features ^[8].

Developing Custom Lightning Components

For functionality beyond standard components, Salesforce supports custom Lightning component development using two frameworks: Lightning Web Components (LWC) and the legacy Aura Components. LWC, introduced as the modern standard, offers better performance and aligns with web standards like JavaScript ES6+. Developers use these components to create reusable UI elements, integrate external APIs, or build complex interactions not possible with declarative tools ^[5][10].

The development process involves:

• Programming models:
• Lightning Web Components (LWC): Uses modern JavaScript and HTML templates, recommended for new development. Example use cases include dynamic forms, custom data visualizations, or real-time updates ^[5]
• Aura Components: Older framework still supported but not recommended for new projects unless maintaining legacy code ^[10]
• Dynamic component creation: Advanced use cases allow components to be instantiated dynamically at runtime. For example, a custom component could load different sub-components based on user input or data conditions. This requires JavaScript controller logic to handle the createComponent method, as discussed in community forums ^[6]
• Integration with App Builder: Once developed, custom components appear in the Lightning App Builder’s component palette. Admins can then drag them onto pages and configure their properties without coding. For instance, a custom "Customer Satisfaction Score" component could be added to an Account record page ^[1][10]
• Deployment and testing: Components are deployed via Salesforce DX or change sets. The Lightning Component Library provides documentation and examples for common patterns (e.g., data tables, modals). Testing should include:
• Validation in Lightning Experience and Salesforce Mobile App
• User permission checks (components respect field-level security and sharing rules)
• Performance profiling for complex components ^[5]

Key considerations for component development:

• Reusability: Design components to be context-agnostic (e.g., a "Data Card" component that works on any record page) ^[9]
• Security: Enforce Lightning Security Service to prevent XSS vulnerabilities and ensure components adhere to Salesforce’s security model ^[10]
• Performance: Avoid blocking the main thread with heavy JavaScript; use wire services for data fetching ^[5]
• Documentation: Include design specifications and example use cases in the component’s .design file for App Builder users ^[1]

For teams without developer resources, third-party components from the AppExchange can extend functionality. These are installed like managed packages and appear in the App Builder palette alongside standard components ^[3].