ServiceNow Studio: The New Unified Developer Experience | Features & Future

[Earl Duque]

ServiceNow Studio: The New Unified Developer Experience

✨ ServiceNow has unveiled an exciting new tool for developers - ServiceNow Studio. This unified development environment aims to streamline the workflow for ServiceNow developers by bringing together multiple capabilities into one cohesive interface. Let's explore the key features and benefits of this new studio.

A Centralized Development Hub

One of the main goals of ServiceNow Studio is to reduce fragmentation in the developer experience. Previously, ServiceNow developers had to juggle multiple tools and interfaces like UI Builder, Workspace Builder, Service Portal, and more. ServiceNow Studio consolidates these into a single environment, allowing developers to access everything they need in one place.

Some key features of the new unified interface include:

• A file navigator to browse application files and metadata
• Integrated tabs for various builders and tools
• The ability to work across multiple scopes simultaneously
• A powerful search capability
• Recent files and bookmarks for quick access

Cross-Scope Development Made Easy

Perhaps one of the most exciting capabilities is the ability to work seamlessly across multiple application scopes. In the past, developers would get annoying messages about being in the wrong scope when trying to edit files. ServiceNow Studio eliminates this friction by allowing editing across scopes without constant switching.

The interface uses color coding to visually distinguish files from different scopes. Developers can also group tabs by scope for better organization. This cross-scope functionality is a major productivity booster.

Streamlined App and File Creation

Creating new applications and files is simplified in ServiceNow Studio. The scope selection is moved to the creation step, removing the need for a persistent scope picker. Developers can quickly spin up new apps, business rules, flows, and other components through an intuitive creation process.

Powerful Search and Navigation

Finding the files and metadata you need is easier than ever with ServiceNow Studio's enhanced search capabilities. Developers can perform quick searches right from the main interface. There's also a dedicated code search feature to find specific snippets across files.

The file navigator allows browsing by application or metadata type. Recent files and bookmarks provide quick access to frequently used items. Overall, the navigation and search features help developers locate what they need faster. 

Integrated Builder Experiences

ServiceNow Studio aims to bring together various builder tools into one interface. While some experiences may still launch in separate tabs currently, the goal is to eventually integrate all development builders directly into ServiceNow Studio.

This includes tools like Table Builder, Flow Designer, and more. Having these capabilities embedded in the main studio interface will create a more cohesive development experience.

Looking to the Future

The ServiceNow team shared some exciting plans for future enhancements to Studio, including:

• AI-powered search capabilities
• The ability to bookmark lists in addition to individual files
• More flexible options for opening files in different builders
• Improved scope change notifications
• Seamless toggling between ServiceNow Studio, Creator Studio, and ServiceNow IDE

While these are forward-looking statements and not guaranteed features, they show ServiceNow's commitment to continually improving the developer experience.

Getting Started with ServiceNow Studio

ServiceNow Studio is available now for instances on the Xanadu release (patch 3 or higher). It's a free application that can be installed from the ServiceNow store. Later this year, it will be automatically included in Xanadu patch 3+ instances.

The ServiceNow team encourages developers to try out Studio and provide feedback through the community hub and Slack channel. As a tool built based on developer input, they are eager to hear how it can be further improved.

Conclusion

ServiceNow Studio represents an exciting step forward in unifying and streamlining the ServiceNow development experience. By bringing together multiple tools and capabilities into one cohesive interface, it aims to boost productivity and make life easier for ServiceNow developers. As the product continues to evolve based on user feedback, it has the potential to become an indispensable tool for the ServiceNow developer community.

[Jan F]

Hi @Earl Duque and @Andrew Barnes - ,

thanks for the interesting YouTube Video.

The Cross-Scope Development looks and feels promising.

I've got two questions:

1. Until now I was not able to find any possibility to link an app in the new Studio to Source Control ? Is this planned for the future ?

2. I had some trouble after installing the Studio to create an app with some errors. Where would be the place to post this ?

Best regards,

Jan 

[Andrew Barnes -]

I am so glad! 1. Its not possible right now, you can continue to link and commit via the older methods for now. 2. Support or - https://www.servicenow.com/community/servicenow-studio/ct-p/servicenow-studio

[highlandcj]

As a developer regularly using VS Code, the ServiceNow Studio workspace instantly felt familiar and provided a useful visual representation of application creation that has helped me to learn my way around in ServiceNow app development.

[Joatan Fontoura]

Hi!

I didn't find how to commit changes in a repository using the new ServiceNow Studio. Does anyone knows how to do that? In legacy ServiceNow Studio it is in Source Control > Commit Changes.

Thank you!

[Paige Duffey]

@Joatan Fontoura - Source control is not available today through ServiceNow Studio. You can still use the older methods for pushing to source control.

[YUSUFMO]

Great content 👌 

[YUSUFMO]

• My question is how do you get two app  linked together and yet they can still work independently as created and how best can you use a VS code?

[Dean Attewell]

Would be create if you had a very good example build of an app..

eg create a Video Store app

- front end for customers

screens for employees to

- add videos,

- add customers

- Book a video for customer

screens for admins

- hire prices

- categories