Microsoft has officially released the preview build of SharePoint Framework, giving developers an early look at several major changes coming to the SharePoint customization platform. The update focuses heavily on modernizing the developer experience, improving list extensibility, and preparing SPFx for a more open and modular future.
The new preview introduces grouping support for list view command sets, a brand-new SPFx CLI preview, open-sourced templates, and ongoing fixes for npm audit vulnerabilities. Microsoft is also continuing its transition away from older tooling toward the newer Heft-based build system.
According to Microsoft, SPFx 1.23 is currently available as a public beta for testing purposes and should not yet be used in production environments.
What’s New in SharePoint Framework v1.23 Preview
Grouping Support for List View Command Sets
One of the biggest additions in SPFx 1.23 is support for grouping list view command sets in SharePoint lists and libraries.
This gives developers more control over how custom commands appear in both the toolbar and context menus. Instead of displaying commands as a flat list, they can now be organized into logical groups, helping improve usability in complex enterprise environments.
Microsoft says the rollout of this feature is already in progress and is expected to reach all tenants shortly.
New SPFx CLI Preview Replaces Yeoman Direction
Microsoft is also previewing a completely new command-line interface for SPFx development.
The new CLI is designed to eventually replace the long-running Yeoman generator workflow used by SharePoint developers for years. Unlike the older setup, the new CLI is decoupled from SPFx release cycles and supports open-source, customizable templates.
Developers can install the preview CLI using:
npm install @microsoft/spfx-cli --globalAnd scaffold projects using commands like:
spfx create \
--template webpart-react \
--library-name my-spfx-library \
--component-name "Hello World"Microsoft says this new approach will allow organizations to build and maintain their own internal templates and development standards more easily.
Open-Sourced Templates Signal a Bigger Ecosystem Push
Another notable change is Microsoft’s decision to open-source SPFx solution templates.
By making templates publicly accessible, Microsoft is enabling the wider SharePoint ecosystem to create custom scaffolding solutions tailored to specific enterprise needs. This could significantly improve onboarding, standardization, and project consistency for large development teams.
The company also confirmed that the SPFx CLI itself is hosted as an open-source project and welcomes community contributions.
Continued Push Toward Heft-Based Tooling
Microsoft is continuing its migration away from the older Gulp-based toolchain toward the newer Heft build system.
According to Microsoft documentation, SPFx 1.23 will focus primarily on Heft support for newly generated projects, while legacy gulp-based projects will still continue to work during the transition period. However, future releases are expected to fully phase out gulp support.
This move is aimed at improving build performance, scalability, and long-term maintainability for enterprise SPFx projects.
npm Audit Fixes Still Ongoing
Microsoft says the SPFx team has also been working to reduce npm audit vulnerabilities that developers often encounter while scaffolding or installing SPFx projects.
The company acknowledged that some remaining issues still exist in the preview builds but says additional fixes are planned before general availability.
SPFx 1.23 Release Timeline
Microsoft previously shared the expected release schedule for SPFx 1.23:
- Beta releases began in March and April 2026
- Release Candidate builds started in April
- General Availability is expected shortly after final validation
The company is also moving toward a quarterly release cycle for SPFx going forward, giving developers more predictable update schedules.
Why This Update Matters
SPFx 1.23 may look like a developer-focused release on the surface, but it represents a broader modernization effort inside the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
The shift to open-source tooling, customizable templates, and a modern CLI suggests Microsoft wants SharePoint extensibility to become faster, more flexible, and easier to standardize across organizations.
Combined with upcoming AI-related investments teased for future SPFx releases, Microsoft appears to be laying the groundwork for a more modern and AI-ready SharePoint development platform.
FAQ
Is SharePoint Framework 1.23 available now?
Yes. Microsoft has released SPFx 1.23 as a public preview/beta build for testing purposes.
Can developers use SPFx 1.23 in production?
Microsoft currently recommends using the stable production version of SPFx instead of the preview build.
What is the new SPFx CLI?
It is Microsoft’s upcoming replacement for the Yeoman-based SPFx generator. The CLI introduces customizable templates and a more modular development workflow.
What is changing with the build system?
Microsoft is gradually transitioning SPFx projects from the older Gulp-based toolchain to the newer Heft-based system for improved scalability and maintenance.
When will SPFx 1.23 become generally available?
Microsoft previously targeted general availability shortly after the release candidate phase, though timelines may shift depending on testing feedback.
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