DEV Community: Jeffrey Bulanadi

Stop Rebuilding Postman Collections from Scratch. Use Raw URLs from GitHub Instead.

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:47:12 +0000

Quick story on why I wrote this.

I got assigned to a handover project with a lot of API work. No API docs, no Postman collections, nothing. Just the project files.

So I built my own Postman collection. Then a second dev joined and did the same. Then a third.

Everyone had their own copy. Nobody was in sync.

The Fix

If your team stores collections in Azure DevOps or GitHub, there's a simple way to share them through Postman using Raw URLs.

What the guide covers

Export a Postman collection properly. Only properly exported JSON files work with Raw URL imports.
Structure your repo for Postman. Keep a /postman folder with your collection files.
Import using Raw URLs from GitHub. Click Raw, copy URL, paste into Postman. Fastest method.
Import by downloading the file. Works offline if raw URLs are restricted.

Part 1 of 3

Part 1 (this one): Import using Raw URLs
Part 2: Connecting GitHub directly to Postman
Part 3: CI/CD automation with the Postman API

Full guide with screenshots: learnbeyondbc.com

How does your team share API collections? Would love to hear what works for you.

I built a VS Code extension to replace PowerShell scripts for BC Docker containers

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:32:55 +0000

For years, I used the same PowerShell script to spin up Business Central containers. I didn't write it. Someone shared it with me, and I just kept using it.

It worked fine most of the time. But every time I needed a new container, I had to open the script, change a few values, and figure things out again. I always felt there should be an easier way.

So, I built one.

BC Docker Manager

A VS Code extension that lets you create and manage BC Docker containers without PowerShell scripts, without Docker Desktop, and without BcContainerHelper.

What it does

Browse every BC version from the Microsoft CDN. Sandbox or OnPrem, any country, any version.
Create containers in 3 clicks. The wizard handles container name, credentials, EULA, image pull, health check, and networking.
Generate launch.json, compile, publish AL apps. Connect the AL Language extension instantly. Compile inside the container. No local compiler needed.
One click environment setup. Checks Hyper-V and Docker Engine. Fixes what's missing.
Manage users, databases, networking, SSL. Add users, backup/restore, hosts file, certificates.
Save container profiles. Reuse setups for different clients or projects.

Why now?

Microsoft announced that BcContainerHelper is being retired (official announcement). If you're still relying on it, this is a good time to explore other options.

Deeply nested AL code can be a nightmare to review, especially in big files.

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 18:14:47 +0000

I wrote AL Indent Prism, a small VS Code extension to help.

Adds subtle background colors per indent level
Works only on AL files
Supports light/dark themes
Doesn’t touch your code

It makes structure easier to see at a glance and speeds up reviews.

Open source + free → https://learnbeyondbc.com/blogs/al-indent-prism-code-review

Feedback, issues, or pull requests are welcome!

Updating Global Apps in Business Central (No BS)

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 12:26:52 +0000

I recently shipped an AppSource update that passed validation and went live. Other tenants saw the update right away. One client didn’t.

Nothing was broken. The client was on a lower platform version, and the app update simply wasn’t available there.

That experience led me to write a short, no BS guide on how global app updates actually work in Business Central and how to update them correctly using the Admin Center.

Full write-up here:
https://learnbeyondbc.com/blogs/update-global-app-business-central

Surviving Business Central Breaking Changes using AL Preprocessor Directives

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:01:23 +0000

Business Central 27 made several 26.x issues official breaking changes, especially around events and posting routines. Instead of branching your extensions or rewriting logic for each upgrade, AL’s preprocessor directives let you control version-specific behavior cleanly.

This post walks through:

Creating symbols (CLEAN26, CLEAN27)
Wrapping logic with #if and #else
Handling the NoSeriesManagement → “No. Series” transition
Dealing with the Invoice Post. Buffer changes

Full guide with code samples and GitHub repo:
http://learnbeyondbc.com/blogs/bc-breaking-changes-al-preprocessor

extensions.json is the BC dev file nobody talks about, but everyone should use.

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 17:05:25 +0000

New dev joins your team. “What VS Code extensions do I need?” You list them. They miss some. Things break. You troubleshoot.

This file fixes that.

✅ Auto-installs extensions
✅ Keeps setups identical
✅ 20+ essential tools explained
✅ Translation tools for multilingual projects
✅ Full walkthrough with working code

Full guide here: 👉 https://learnbeyondbc.com/blogs/extension-json-al-configuration-file-bc-developers

Microsoft just updated their docs on container-based development environments for #msdyn365BC.

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:57:28 +0000

⚠️ Heads up, Business Central devs!

Microsoft just updated their docs on container-based development environments for #msdyn365BC.

If you're using Docker + BCContainerHelper, this refresh includes:

✅ Updated install steps
✅ Insider build access via artifact URLs
✅ Troubleshooting tips for memory, disk, and browser issues
✅ PowerShell examples for publishing apps

📌 Check the updated guide: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-running-container-development

Microsoft just updated code signing rules for #msdyn365BC

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 01:00:02 +0000

If you're publishing .app files: New certs need secure hardware (Azure Key Vault or FIPS USB).

❌ No valid signature = No AppSource Even on-prem needs explicit skip

Options:
✔️ Azure Key Vault
✔️ .PFX (legacy)
✔️ Self-signed (local/on-prem)

Full guide: 👉 Sign an app package file — Business Central | Microsoft Learn

Understanding Data Archive (Codeunit 600) in Business Central

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:38:28 +0000

Imagine you’ve got a filing cabinet full of old customer records.
Your boss says, “Delete everything older than 5 years to save space.”
But what if you suddenly NEED those records?
You need them gone but also kept.

That’s exactly what Data Archive does.
It’s like taking a photograph of your records before shredding them.

Let me walk you through this out-of-the-box functionality Microsoft built for archiving almost EVERYTHING in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central:

✅ Archive before delete
✅ Works on custom tables
✅ Saves everything as JSON
✅ Export as Excel or CSV
✅ Full walkthrough with working code

Read the complete guide: 👉 https://learnbeyondbc.com/blogs/bc-data-archive-codeunit-600-complete-guide

msdyn365BC #BusinessCentral #ALDevelopment #DataArchive #BCWeekendCodeHacks #LearnBeyondBC #BCSaturdayCodeHacks

New in BC 2024 Wave 2: Production Scrap Report for Manufacturing Teams

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:19:09 +0000

Heads up, #msdyn365BC developers and consultants, there’s a new report in town.

The Production Scrap report just landed in BC 2024 Wave 2, and it’s a must-have for manufacturing visibility.

Here’s what it brings:

✅ Production Order Scrap %
✅ Scrap Quantity Over Time
✅ Work & Machine Center stats
✅ Scrap by Code

If you’re building or customizing for manufacturing clients, this is one to bookmark.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/manufacturing-powerbi-production-scrap

95% of BC devs set up OAuth2 the hard way. Here's the 5% method that actually works.

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:55:50 +0000

95% of BC devs set up OAuth2 the hard way. Here’s the 5% method that actually works.

✅ Workspace
✅ Collections
✅ Variables that behave

This blog walks through the setup that fixed it all.

https://learnbeyondbc.com/blogs/bc-oauth2-setup-and-automation-part-2

OAuth2 Automation P1: Register Your Entra App, Assign BC Permissions

Jeffrey Bulanadi — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 18:07:24 +0000

OAuth2 app registration looks simple… until you understand what’s happening behind the scenes.

Most guides say, “click here, do that.”

This blog shows what most guides miss.

https://learnbeyondbc.com/blogs/bc-oauth2-setup-and-automation-part-1

DEV Community: Jeffrey Bulanadi

Stop Rebuilding Postman Collections from Scratch. Use Raw URLs from GitHub Instead.

The Fix

What the guide covers

Part 1 of 3

I built a VS Code extension to replace PowerShell scripts for BC Docker containers

BC Docker Manager

What it does

Why now?

Links

Deeply nested AL code can be a nightmare to review, especially in big files.

Updating Global Apps in Business Central (No BS)

Surviving Business Central Breaking Changes using AL Preprocessor Directives

extensions.json is the BC dev file nobody talks about, but everyone should use.

Microsoft just updated their docs on container-based development environments for #msdyn365BC.

Microsoft just updated code signing rules for #msdyn365BC

Understanding Data Archive (Codeunit 600) in Business Central

msdyn365BC #BusinessCentral #ALDevelopment #DataArchive #BCWeekendCodeHacks #LearnBeyondBC #BCSaturdayCodeHacks

New in BC 2024 Wave 2: Production Scrap Report for Manufacturing Teams

95% of BC devs set up OAuth2 the hard way. Here's the 5% method that actually works.

OAuth2 Automation P1: Register Your Entra App, Assign BC Permissions