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Register a Namespace for AppExchange packaging

Namespace registration is a partner-side activity. Customer orgs typically do not need this; only AppExchange partners packaging managed packages.

By Dipojjal Chakrabarti · Founder & Editor, Salesforce DictionaryLast updated May 21, 2026

Namespace registration is a partner-side activity. Customer orgs typically do not need this; only AppExchange partners packaging managed packages.

  1. Provision a Developer Edition org

    Sign up for a free Developer Edition org at developer.salesforce.com. This becomes the Packaging Org for the partner.

  2. Verify the org as a Partner Packaging Org

    Coordinate with Salesforce ISV Partner Program to register the org. The partner program grants additional capabilities for packaging work.

  3. Register the namespace

    Setup, Package Manager, click Register. Enter the desired namespace (two to fifteen alphanumeric characters). Salesforce validates uniqueness across the platform.

  4. Build the managed package metadata

    Develop the package contents (objects, fields, Apex, LWC) in the Packaging Org. Every component is automatically namespaced.

  5. Publish the package

    Use the standard packaging workflow to publish. Subscribers install via the AppExchange listing.

  6. Consider 2GP for new work

    2GP (Second-Generation Packaging) decouples namespace from Packaging Org and supports modern source-control workflows. Evaluate before committing to 1GP.

Gotchas
  • Namespaces are permanent. Once registered, they cannot be changed; pick the namespace carefully.
  • Customer orgs typically do not need namespaces. Reserve the registration for AppExchange partner work.
  • Apex inside the package references metadata without the namespace prefix. Apex outside the package must include the prefix.
  • 1GP and 2GP are different packaging models. 2GP is the modern direction; pick deliberately at project start.

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