feat: CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES bulk import from OData contract (#143)

Add CREATE [OR MODIFY] EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Service syntax that
bulk-creates external entities from a consumed OData service's cached
$metadata. Supports INTO module redirect and ENTITIES name filter.

Closes #143

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

Author: ako

.claude/skills/mendix/browse-integrations.md

@@ -111,7 +111,25 @@ WHERE ObjectType IN ('ODATA_CLIENT', 'REST_CLIENT', 'ODATA_SERVICE',
 AND ModuleName = 'Integration';
 ```
 
-## Workflow: Import an Entity from a Contract
+## Workflow: Import Entities from a Contract
+
+### Bulk import (all or filtered)
+
+```sql
+-- Import all entity types at once
+CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM MyModule.SalesforceAPI;
+
+-- Import into a different module
+CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM MyModule.SalesforceAPI INTO Integration;
+
+-- Import only specific entities
+CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM MyModule.SalesforceAPI ENTITIES (PurchaseOrder, Supplier);
+
+-- Idempotent re-import (updates existing)
+CREATE OR MODIFY EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM MyModule.SalesforceAPI;
+```
+
+### Single entity (with customization)
 
 1. Browse available entities:
    ```sql

.claude/skills/mendix/odata-data-sharing.md

@@ -273,6 +273,20 @@ FROM ODATA CLIENT ProductClient.ProductDataApiClient
 GRANT ProductClient.User ON ProductClient.CustomerAddressesEE (READ *);
 ```
 
+**Bulk alternative:** Instead of creating external entities one by one, import all (or a subset) from the contract:
+
+```sql
+-- All entities from the service
+CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM ProductClient.ProductDataApiClient;
+
+-- Or specific ones only
+CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM ProductClient.ProductDataApiClient
+  ENTITIES (Product, CustomerAddress);
+
+-- Idempotent re-import
+CREATE OR MODIFY EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM ProductClient.ProductDataApiClient;
+```
+
 ## Step-by-Step: Read-Write API with Microflow Handlers
 
 For write operations (insert, update, delete), the OData service delegates to microflows that map between the view entity and the underlying persistent entities.

cmd/mxcli/help_topics/odata.txt

@@ -108,6 +108,24 @@ CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITY
     Email: String(200)
   );
 
+CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES (bulk from $metadata)
+-----------------------------------------------
+
+  -- Create all entity types as external entities
+  CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM MyModule.ExternalAPI;
+
+  -- Create into a different module
+  CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM MyModule.ExternalAPI INTO Integration;
+
+  -- Create only specific entities
+  CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM MyModule.ExternalAPI ENTITIES (Customer, Order);
+
+  -- Idempotent — updates existing entities
+  CREATE OR MODIFY EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM MyModule.ExternalAPI;
+
+  -- Combine all options
+  CREATE OR MODIFY EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM MyModule.ExternalAPI INTO Integration ENTITIES (Customer, Order);
+
 ALTER / DROP
 -----------
 

docs-site/src/appendixes/quick-reference.md

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ CREATE PERSISTENT ENTITY Module.Photo (
 | Create with extends | `CREATE PERSISTENT ENTITY Module.Name EXTENDS Parent.Entity (attrs);` | EXTENDS before `(` |
 | Create view entity | `CREATE VIEW ENTITY Module.Name (attrs) AS SELECT ...;` | OQL-backed read-only |
 | Create external entity | `CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITY Module.Name FROM ODATA CLIENT Module.Client (...) (attrs);` | From consumed OData |
+| Create external entities | `CREATE [OR MODIFY] EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Client [INTO Module] [ENTITIES (...)];` | Bulk from $metadata |
 | Drop entity | `DROP ENTITY Module.Name;` | |
 | Describe entity | `DESCRIBE ENTITY Module.Name;` | Full MDL output |
 | List entities | `LIST ENTITIES [IN Module];` | List all or filter by module |
@@ -94,6 +95,7 @@ CREATE CONSTANT MyModule.EnableLogging TYPE Boolean DEFAULT true;
 | List external entities | `LIST EXTERNAL ENTITIES [IN Module];` | OData-backed entities |
 | List external actions | `LIST EXTERNAL ACTIONS [IN Module];` | Actions used in microflows |
 | Create external entity | `CREATE [OR MODIFY] EXTERNAL ENTITY Module.Name FROM ODATA CLIENT Module.Client (...) (attrs);` | |
+| Create external entities | `CREATE [OR MODIFY] EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Client [INTO Module] [ENTITIES (...)];` | Bulk from $metadata |
 | Grant OData access | `GRANT ACCESS ON ODATA SERVICE Module.Name TO Module.Role, ...;` | |
 | Revoke OData access | `REVOKE ACCESS ON ODATA SERVICE Module.Name FROM Module.Role, ...;` | |
 | List contract entities | `LIST CONTRACT ENTITIES FROM Module.Client;` | Browse cached $metadata |

docs-site/src/reference/odata/README.md

@@ -25,6 +25,25 @@ Mendix supports consuming and publishing OData services. Consumed services (ODat
 | Statement | Description |
 |-----------|-------------|
 | [CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITY](create-external-entity.md) | Import an entity from a consumed OData service |
+| [CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES](#create-external-entities) | Bulk-create external entities from cached $metadata |
+
+## CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES
+
+Bulk-create external entities from a consumed OData service's cached `$metadata`.
+
+```sql
+-- Create all entity types from the contract
+CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Service;
+
+-- Create into a specific module
+CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Service INTO TargetModule;
+
+-- Filter to specific entities
+CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Service ENTITIES (Customer, Order);
+
+-- Idempotent — update existing entities
+CREATE OR MODIFY EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Service;
+```
 
 ## Contract Browsing Statements
 

docs/01-project/MDL_QUICK_REFERENCE.md

@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ CREATE PERSISTENT ENTITY Module.Photo (
 | Create with extends | `CREATE PERSISTENT ENTITY Module.Name EXTENDS Parent.Entity (attrs);` | EXTENDS before `(` |
 | Create view entity | `CREATE VIEW ENTITY Module.Name (attrs) AS SELECT ...;` | OQL-backed read-only |
 | Create external entity | `CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITY Module.Name FROM ODATA CLIENT Module.Client (...) (attrs);` | From consumed OData |
+| Create external entities | `CREATE [OR MODIFY] EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Client [INTO Module] [ENTITIES (...)];` | Bulk from $metadata |
 | Drop entity | `DROP ENTITY Module.Name;` | |
 | Describe entity | `DESCRIBE ENTITY Module.Name;` | Full MDL output |
 | Describe enumeration | `DESCRIBE ENUMERATION Module.Name;` | Full MDL output |
@@ -111,6 +112,7 @@ CREATE CONSTANT MyModule.EnableLogging TYPE Boolean DEFAULT true;
 | Show external entities | `SHOW EXTERNAL ENTITIES [IN Module];` | OData-backed entities |
 | Show external actions | `SHOW EXTERNAL ACTIONS [IN Module];` | Actions used in microflows |
 | Create external entity | `CREATE [OR MODIFY] EXTERNAL ENTITY Module.Name FROM ODATA CLIENT Module.Client (...) (attrs);` | |
+| Create external entities | `CREATE [OR MODIFY] EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Client [INTO Module] [ENTITIES (...)];` | Bulk from $metadata |
 | Grant OData access | `GRANT ACCESS ON ODATA SERVICE Module.Name TO Module.Role, ...;` | |
 | Revoke OData access | `REVOKE ACCESS ON ODATA SERVICE Module.Name FROM Module.Role, ...;` | |
 | Show contract entities | `SHOW CONTRACT ENTITIES FROM Module.Client;` | Browse cached $metadata |

mdl-examples/doctype-tests/10-odata-examples.mdl

@@ -365,6 +365,49 @@ SHOW EXTERNAL ACTIONS;
 SHOW EXTERNAL ACTIONS IN OdTest;
 /
 
+-- ############################################################################
+-- LEVEL 10: CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES (bulk from contract)
+-- ############################################################################
+
+/**
+ * Level 10.1: Create all external entities from a consumed OData service.
+ * Reads the service's cached $metadata and creates one external entity
+ * per entity type in the domain model.
+ * Prerequisite: The OData client must have cached metadata (fetched during CREATE).
+ *
+ * CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM OdTest.SalesforceAPI;
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Level 10.2: Create external entities into a different module.
+ * By default entities are created in the same module as the service.
+ * Use INTO to redirect them.
+ *
+ * CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM OdTest.SalesforceAPI INTO Integration;
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Level 10.3: Create only specific external entities by name.
+ * Use the ENTITIES clause to filter which entity types to create.
+ *
+ * CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM OdTest.SalesforceAPI ENTITIES (Account, Contact);
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Level 10.4: Idempotent bulk create — updates existing entities.
+ *
+ * CREATE OR MODIFY EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM OdTest.SalesforceAPI;
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Level 10.5: Combine INTO, ENTITIES filter, and OR MODIFY.
+ *
+ * CREATE OR MODIFY EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM OdTest.SalesforceAPI INTO Integration ENTITIES (Account, Contact);
+ */
+
+-- NOTE: These commands require a live OData client with cached $metadata,
+-- so they are shown as comments above. The syntax is validated by mxcli check.
+
 -- ############################################################################
 -- NOTE: CREATE ODATA CLIENT now auto-fetches and caches $metadata from the
 -- MetadataUrl. CONTRACT BROWSING commands (SHOW CONTRACT ENTITIES/ACTIONS)

mdl/ast/ast_odata.go

@@ -136,3 +136,13 @@ type CreateExternalEntityStmt struct {
 }
 
 func (s *CreateExternalEntityStmt) isStatement() {}
+
+// CreateExternalEntitiesStmt represents: CREATE [OR MODIFY] EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Service [INTO Module] [ENTITIES (Name1, Name2)]
+type CreateExternalEntitiesStmt struct {
+	ServiceRef     QualifiedName // FROM Module.Service
+	TargetModule   string        // INTO Module (optional, defaults to service module)
+	EntityNames    []string      // ENTITIES (Name1, Name2) filter (optional, imports all if empty)
+	CreateOrModify bool          // True if CREATE OR MODIFY was used
+}
+
+func (s *CreateExternalEntitiesStmt) isStatement() {}

mdl/executor/cmd_contract.go

@@ -468,6 +468,137 @@ func edmToMendixType(p *mpr.EdmProperty) string {
 	}
 }
 
+// ============================================================================
+// CREATE EXTERNAL ENTITIES (bulk)
+// ============================================================================
+
+// createExternalEntities handles CREATE [OR MODIFY] EXTERNAL ENTITIES FROM Module.Service [INTO Module] [ENTITIES (...)].
+// It reads entity types from the cached $metadata and creates external entities in the domain model.
+func (e *Executor) createExternalEntities(s *ast.CreateExternalEntitiesStmt) error {
+	if e.writer == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("not connected to a project in write mode")
+	}
+
+	doc, svcQN, err := e.parseServiceContract(s.ServiceRef)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Build entity set lookup: entity type qualified name → entity set name
+	esMap := make(map[string]string)
+	for _, es := range doc.EntitySets {
+		esMap[es.EntityType] = es.Name
+	}
+
+	// Build filter set if entity names specified
+	filterSet := make(map[string]bool)
+	for _, name := range s.EntityNames {
+		filterSet[strings.ToLower(name)] = true
+	}
+
+	// Determine target module
+	targetModule := s.TargetModule
+	if targetModule == "" {
+		targetModule = s.ServiceRef.Module
+	}
+
+	var created, skipped, failed int
+
+	for _, schema := range doc.Schemas {
+		for _, et := range schema.EntityTypes {
+			// Apply entity name filter
+			if len(filterSet) > 0 && !filterSet[strings.ToLower(et.Name)] {
+				continue
+			}
+
+			entitySetName := esMap[schema.Namespace+"."+et.Name]
+			if entitySetName == "" {
+				entitySetName = et.Name + "s" // fallback
+			}
+
+			// Build attributes from properties
+			var attrs []ast.Attribute
+			for _, p := range et.Properties {
+				// Skip key properties named ID (Mendix manages its own ID)
+				isKey := false
+				for _, k := range et.KeyProperties {
+					if p.Name == k {
+						isKey = true
+						break
+					}
+				}
+				if isKey && p.Name == "ID" {
+					continue
+				}
+
+				attrs = append(attrs, ast.Attribute{
+					Name: p.Name,
+					Type: edmToAstDataType(p),
+				})
+			}
+
+			stmt := &ast.CreateExternalEntityStmt{
+				Name:           ast.QualifiedName{Module: targetModule, Name: et.Name},
+				ServiceRef:     s.ServiceRef,
+				EntitySet:      entitySetName,
+				RemoteName:     et.Name,
+				Countable:      true,
+				Attributes:     attrs,
+				CreateOrModify: s.CreateOrModify,
+			}
+
+			if err := e.execCreateExternalEntity(stmt); err != nil {
+				fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "  FAILED: %s.%s — %v\n", targetModule, et.Name, err)
+				failed++
+			} else {
+				created++
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if skipped > 0 || failed > 0 {
+		fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "\nImported %d entities from %s (%d failed)\n", created, svcQN, failed)
+	} else {
+		fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "\nImported %d entities from %s into %s\n", created, svcQN, targetModule)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// edmToAstDataType converts an Edm property to an AST data type.
+func edmToAstDataType(p *mpr.EdmProperty) ast.DataType {
+	switch p.Type {
+	case "Edm.String":
+		length := 200
+		if p.MaxLength != "" && p.MaxLength != "max" {
+			if n, err := fmt.Sscanf(p.MaxLength, "%d", &length); n == 0 || err != nil {
+				length = 200
+			}
+		}
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeString, Length: length}
+	case "Edm.Int32":
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeInteger}
+	case "Edm.Int64":
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeLong}
+	case "Edm.Decimal":
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeDecimal}
+	case "Edm.Boolean":
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeBoolean}
+	case "Edm.DateTime", "Edm.DateTimeOffset", "Edm.Date":
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeDateTime}
+	case "Edm.Double", "Edm.Single":
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeDecimal}
+	case "Edm.Byte", "Edm.SByte", "Edm.Int16":
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeInteger}
+	case "Edm.Guid":
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeString, Length: 36}
+	case "Edm.Binary":
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeString, Length: 200}
+	default:
+		return ast.DataType{Kind: ast.TypeString, Length: 200}
+	}
+}
+
 // ============================================================================
 // AsyncAPI Contract Commands
 // ============================================================================

mdl/executor/executor_dispatch.go

@@ -196,6 +196,8 @@ func (e *Executor) executeInner(stmt ast.Statement) error {
 		return e.dropRestClient(s)
 	case *ast.CreateExternalEntityStmt:
 		return e.execCreateExternalEntity(s)
+	case *ast.CreateExternalEntitiesStmt:
+		return e.createExternalEntities(s)
 	case *ast.GrantODataServiceAccessStmt:
 		return e.execGrantODataServiceAccess(s)
 	case *ast.RevokeODataServiceAccessStmt: