Steps to Start, build and create a PCF Control from Scratch

 Following are the high level steps to start and create a PCF control using Visual Studio 2017.

This is devided into three parts:-

1. Install the required software/Components

• Install npm
• Install PowerApps CLI
• Install Visual Studio 2017 or later

2. Create a PCF Control

• Create a new folder for the project.
• Open Developer Command Prompt and Navigate the pointer to the folder created above.
• Run the following command
• pac pcf init --namespace <specify your namespace here> --name <Name of the code component> --template <component type
• Install the project dependencies using command (npm install) 
• Update ControlManifest.Input.xml
• Update index.ts
• Build the project using (npm run build)
• Start the Component (npm Start)
• Create a folder for holding the solution zip and related files. Navigate to that folder and run the command. (pac solution init --publisher-name HKPublisher --publisher-prefix hk)
• Add reference of the custom component in the solution (pac solution add-reference --path ../    ** Path of SolutionPackage Folder)
• To create the Solution Zip File (msbuild /t:build /restore)

3. Import the Solution into your CRM Instance 

• Import the solution file and use it inside Dynamics 365 CE