What is automatically created when a custom search index is created in Data Cloud?

In Salesforce Data Cloud, a custom search index is created to enable efficient retrieval of data (e.g., documents, records) for AI-driven processes, such as grounding Agentforce responses. Let’s evaluate the options based on Data Cloud’s functionality.

Option A: A retriever that shares the name of the custom search index.When a custom search index is created in Data Cloud, a corresponding retriever is automatically generated with the same name as the index. This retriever leverages the index to perform contextual searches (e.g., vector-based lookups) and fetch relevant data for AI applications, such as Agentforce prompt templates. The retriever is tied to the indexed data and is ready to use without additional configuration, aligning with Data Cloud’s streamlined approach to AI integration. This is explicitly documented in Salesforce resources and is the correct answer.

Option B: A dynamic retriever to allow runtime selection of retriever parameters without manual configuration.While dynamic behavior sounds appealing, there’s no concept of a "dynamic retriever" in Data Cloud that adjusts parameters at runtime without configuration. Retrievers are tied to specific indexes and operate based on predefined settings established during index creation. This option is not supported by official documentation and is incorrect.

Option C: A predefined Apex retriever class that can be edited by a developer to meet specific needs.Data Cloud does not generate Apex classes for retrievers. Retrievers are managed within the Data Cloud platform as part of its native AI retrieval system, not as customizable Apex code. While developers can extend functionality via Apex for other purposes, this is not an automatic outcome of creating a search index, making this option incorrect.

Why Option A is Correct:

The automatic creation of a retriever named after the custom search index is a core feature of Data Cloud’s search and retrieval system. It ensures seamless integration with AI tools like Agentforce by providing a ready-to-use mechanism for data retrieval, as confirmed in official documentation.