How Do I Get Started Building on ServiceNow? (ServiceNow Foundations #2)

Travis Toulson · 3 weeks ago

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First Step: Get a Personal Developer Instance

If you're just getting started with ServiceNow, the best place to begin is with a Personal Developer Instance (PDI). This isn't where you build production apps, but it is the perfect environment to learn the platform, explore the tools, and experiment without worry.

A PDI is your own free, full-featured ServiceNow instance. Think of it as your personal sandbox. You can test ideas, break things, rebuild them, and develop skills in a way that doesn’t affect anyone else’s environment.

What You Get with a PDI

A full installation of the ServiceNow platform, on the version of your choice
Core developer tools like ServiceNow Studio ready to go
Pre-installed apps like ITSM, with the ability to activate additional plugins
Access to most platform features (some licensed features may be restricted)
Full admin control to explore and customize your environment

How to Request One

Just head over to developer.servicenow.com, create a free account, and click Request Instance. Choose the version you want (Zurich is the latest) and in seconds you'll have a fully functioning instance to start using.

Best Practices for Using Your PDI

Back up your work. PDIs can go inactive or be reclaimed. Use Git or your preferred source control system to keep track of your progress.
Don’t use PDIs for University labs. Those labs require special pre-configured environments that PDIs don’t support.
Manage upgrades wisely. You can upgrade in place or release and request a new one on the latest version. Just make sure your work is backed up.
Experiment freely. PDIs are for learning. Try new features, build proof-of-concepts, break stuff, and see what happens—that’s what it’s for.