--- sourceDocument: Zurich Build or modify applications sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/application-development Release : - zurich ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Zurich Build or modify applications ft:clusterId : - cadev bundleId : - cadev workflow : - Development, Data, and Analytics --- # Explore # Exploring Build Agent {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Zurich Updated August 20, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 5 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Exploring Build Agent Build Agent is an AI-powered development tool integrated within ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE that enables developers to autonomously create, edit, and deploy full-stack ServiceNow applications. It supports scoped or global applications, including UI and backend components, and automates tasks such as code generation, application organization, deployment to update sets, and more. Build Agent replaces App Engine Studio for advanced development needs like custom scripting and modifications of base system applications. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **Conversational Interface:** Interact with Build Agent via a multi-turn chat panel using natural language to describe and build applications, ask development questions, and receive AI-generated code and logic. * **File Upload Support:** Provide additional context by uploading images, code, and documents to enhance application design and functionality. * **Extended Capabilities:** Beyond application creation, Build Agent can rewrite tables, explain code, validate and enhance apps, fix errors, and run queries on instance data. * **Playbook Designer Integration:** Author Playbook Designer artifacts, including runtime permissions and activity definitions, consolidated into XML update sets for consistent deployments. * **ServiceNow Fluent and Modern Frameworks:** Generates metadata supported by ServiceNow Fluent and can incorporate frameworks like React for custom user experiences. * **Trial and Licensing:** Available as a trial app with 100 free user interactions for 30 days; paid version required for extended use. * **Localization:** Supports multiple languages via the ServiceNow AI Platform localization framework. * **Governance and Quality Controls:** Includes automated safeguards that maintain code quality, security, and compliance during application generation. * **Integration and Tools:** Supports MCP connections for integrating third-party tools (e.g., Figma), and provides tools for semantic search, schema inspection, code search, UI validation, and script execution to enhance development workflows. ## Practical Use and Benefits for ServiceNow Customers * **Accelerated Development:** Automates repetitive tasks to increase developer productivity and reduce development backlogs. * **Enhanced Application Quality:** Provides built-in governance and validation to ensure secure and compliant applications. * **Flexible Development Environment:** Supports usage in ServiceNow Studio, ServiceNow IDE, and Developer Sandboxes for isolated development. * **Comprehensive Development Support:** Enables full lifecycle development including planning, coding, testing, and deployment within a streamlined AI-assisted workflow. * **Agentic Experiences:** Allows creation of agentic workflows, agents, and skills to enrich custom applications with AI-powered interactions. ## Getting Started and Next Steps ServiceNow customers can explore Build Agent by installing the trial app from the ServiceNow Store to evaluate its capabilities. To maximize value, familiarize with Build Agent configuration, usage guidelines, prompting best practices, and integration with SDLC tools like Git and CI/CD pipelines. Customers migrating from App Engine Studio should note that migration primarily involves workflow adjustment rather than artifact conversion. Leveraging Build Agent's chat panel and tools will facilitate efficient, AI-assisted development tailored to enterprise needs. Build Agent enables developers to create, edit, and deploy full-stack ServiceNow® applications to update sets that encompass both user interface and back-end components. As of Zurich Patch 12, ServiceNow Otto is the new AI experience brand. This change is reflected in the name of ServiceNow products, including Build Agent. Your product entitlements remain unchanged. Check your entitlements to determine your access to specific features. ## Build Agent overview {#exploring-build-agent__cf-exploring-parent-overview} Build Agent is an AI tool designed for developers within ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow Integrated Development Environment (ServiceNow IDE). Build Agent acts as an autonomous AI agent capable of independently generating a complete ServiceNow® scoped or global application. For example, a global scope app that uses tables such as incident, problem, and change. ## Migrating to Build Agent from App Engine Studio {#exploring-build-agent__section_g3s_bvk_jkc} If you currently build applications in App Engine Studio (AES), you can migrate to Build Agent when your development needs grow beyond what AES supports. For example, when you need custom scripting, global scope applications, or the ability to modify base system applications. Existing app artifacts like tables, flows, workspaces, and ACLs are already accessible in ServiceNow Studio, so migration is primarily a workflow adjustment rather than a conversion process. For more information, see [Migrating to Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/uKsU~rI68xaNegokNQVzrg "Build Agent is the agentic development experience on the ServiceNow AI Platform. Migrate your applications from App Engine Studio to Build Agent to expand your app's capabilities and take advantage of the agentic developer experience."). ## Conversational interface {#exploring-build-agent__section_ba_conversational_interface} Using the chat panel within ServiceNow Studio or the ServiceNow IDE, you can interact with Build Agent through an easy-to-use multi-turn conversation interface. You can also ask it general questions about developing on the ServiceNow AI Platform. All you have to do is describe an application in natural language, and the agent can then automatically create it. Build Agent generates the necessary code, organizes files clearly, and manages both the core logic and user interface components of the application. Build Agent can understand natural language prompts, autonomously generate full-stack applications, oversee the entire build process, respond to feedback, deploy applications to update sets, and more. Build Agent is enabled by default to create apps with AI, for example in ServiceNow Studio. To use other ServiceNow Otto products, such as the app generation skill, disable Build Agent. For example, using the setting in your ServiceNow Studio preferences.{#exploring-build-agent__ba-on-by-default-ph} ## Where to use Build Agent {#exploring-build-agent__section_ba_environments} You can use Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio, including the ServiceNow IDE. For detailed instructions on using Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio, see [Accessing Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Yw_5hzcqv9ofBaAWYvYuug "Build Agent is available in ServiceNow Studio for UI-first, declarative workflows. You can also use Build Agent the ServiceNow IDE within ServiceNow Studio for code-first, autonomous full-stack development.") and [Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/UU~FEJbdI3nXy~sJSW3MWg "Use Build Agent, an autonomous AI agent, to create and update applications in ServiceNow Studio through conversational interaction."). You can also use Build Agent in Developer Sandboxes, which provides a controlled baseline configuration for isolated, parallel development. For more information, see [Exploring Developer Sandboxes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/D7wwdN3cAQ53usbGdlrDZA "Developer Sandboxes enable delegated developers and admins to request, access, and manage individual sandbox environments on top of the same underlying development instance."). ## Providing context with file uploads {#exploring-build-agent__section_ba_file_uploads} You can upload supported file types, such as images, code, and documents, to provide more context about application design and functionality. For more information, see [Supported file types for Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/6tcBL4f0l9z6adqqAeGkNw "Build Agent accepts images, documents, code files, and file types specific to ServiceNow as uploads. Supported formats, size limits, and general guidelines apply when generating apps and metadata."). ## Extended capabilities {#exploring-build-agent__section_ba_extended_capabilities} While creating and updating applications is the primary use case for Build Agent, its capabilities extend beyond that. It can perform various code-related tasks, such as rewriting tables, explaining code, validating and enhancing existing applications, fixing application errors, and more. For instance, Build Agent can use the Run Query tool to query a specific table within your instance and return the top five records or derive specific insights. To use Build Agent as part of an end-to-end development practice that includes Git, the ServiceNow SDK, ReleaseOps, and CI/CD pipelines, see the [SDLC on ServiceNow guide](https://servicenow.github.io/sdk/guides/sdlc-guide) in the ServiceNow SDK documentation. ## Playbook Designer support {#exploring-build-agent__section_ba_playbook_designer} You can use Build Agent to author Playbook Designer artifacts. As of Zurich Patch 13, including runtime permissions, activity definitions, and Agentic activity field configuration. Playbook records are consolidated into a single XML update set file for consistent deployment across instances. For more information, see [Exploring Playbook](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=process-automation-designer&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US). ## ServiceNow Fluent and modern web frameworks {#exploring-build-agent__build-agent-fluent} Build Agent generates code in ServiceNow Fluent, the domain-specific language for developing on the ServiceNow AI Platform. Build Agent can also incorporate modern web frameworks, such as React, when building custom user experiences. Important: Build Agent only creates metadata supported by ServiceNow® Fluent. For more information, see [ServiceNow Fluent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ohv0rMJ2O_nhoDa98apEXg "Define application metadata in source code using the ServiceNow Fluent domain-specific programming language."). For the latest API reference, see ## Build Agent (Trial) app overview {#exploring-build-agent__section_tmq_bbc_vgc} Build Agent is available as a trial app on a freemium model. To install Build Agent (Trial), visit the [ServiceNow Store](https://www.servicenow.com/products/vibe-coding.html#benefits). After you install the Build Agent (Trial) app, your instance receives 100 free user interactions for 30 days at no additional charge. The free interactions enable you to explore Build Agent features at no additional cost. If you exceed the free interaction limit, you must wait 30 days for a reset, or install the paid version of Build Agent. ## Automatic upgrades {#exploring-build-agent__section_g15_ths_hkc} Qualifying instances receive automatic upgrades when a new version of Build Agent is published to the ServiceNow Store. For more information, see [Install Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/KWC5R6B2opNPj4rvk55EbQ "For the Premium version of Build Agent, install the ServiceNow Otto for Creator application from the ServiceNow Store."). ## Localization and Build Agent {#exploring-build-agent__section_g1g_rcg_y3c} Build Agent incorporates the ServiceNow AI Platform localization, so you can use it in any supported language. For more information, see [Localization Framework](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=localization-framework-landing&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). ## How prompts are counted {#exploring-build-agent__section_prompt-counting} Prompts are counted each time you submit a message to Build Agent. If Build Agent asks a clarifying question and you respond, that response counts as a prompt. Approving a plan that Build Agent presents does not count as a prompt. To get the most value from each prompt, draft your message in a text editor before you submit it. For more information on prompting, see [Example prompts](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/wuovSgfIITreoH~B55Eekw "Explore example prompts for building apps, as well as adding governance, UI and other ServiceNow metadata to help you get started with prompting Build Agent."). ## What apps are in ServiceNow {#exploring-build-agent__section_dlz_gqn_w3c} A ServiceNow app is a package that performs a specific task for a specified group of users. Think of an app as a container with a set of rules around who can access and edit it. For example, ServiceNow apps can include an API, a table, a workspace, a form, a flow, or any combination of those things. ## Enhance applications with agentic experiences {#exploring-build-agent__my-topic-id-2} You can enhance your applications with agentic experiences by using Build Agent. Build Agent enables you to create agentic workflows, agents, and skills for your custom applications. Additionally, Build Agent recommends in-app agents tailored to specific use cases. For more information, see [Create agentic workflows, agents, and skills](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~z~N1ZRI2H8UzYWsu8Gsmg "Build custom agentic workflows, AI agents, and skills for your applications using automated generation tools with Build Agent. You can streamline development by creating the necessary instructions, tools, and access controls based on your requirements."). ## Build Agent benefits {#exploring-build-agent__cf-exploring-parent-benefits} Build Agent accelerates application development on the ServiceNow AI Platform. It helps automate many repetitive and time-consuming tasks that developers previously had to do manually, enabling: * Increased developer productivity * Reduced development backlogs * Quicker deployment of new business applications * Reduction in overall development cost {#exploring-build-agent__ul_nmq_1zk_hgc} ## What to explore next {#exploring-build-agent__cf-exploring-parent-links} To learn more about configuring and using Build Agent, see: * [Build Agent configuration](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OSrqXgV_OrnSqs2KR7EztA "Build Agent connects your instance to AI-powered design workflows. Set up the required application and MCP server connections to start using it.") * [Use Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/IOIc9Nq5bnZhLqSiwgkXdQ "Build Agent is an autonomous AI agent native to ServiceNow that translates plain language instructions into ready-to-deploy applications and metadata, using the platform’s domain language and guardrails. It's purpose-built for full-stack creation and editing across tables, flows, UI, and scripts, and it operates as the core engine for agentic development on the ServiceNow AI Platform.") * [Build Agent reference](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/jnsFBsZ1Gai53IR~YHAFJw "Reference topics provide additional information about using Build Agent to create and edit apps, as well as ServiceNow metadata.") * [Support for regulated markets](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/d3Go5Ad_lvTbN3MIjFEt7Q "Plan deployments and troubleshoot issues by learning about Build Agent constraints that affect deployment capabilities and performance.") {#exploring-build-agent__ul_cbn_stk_hgc} To learn more about prompting, see this Community article on [The fastest way to learn Build Agent prompting? Ask Build Agent.](https://www.servicenow.com/community/now-assist-for-creator-articles/the-fastest-way-to-learn-build-agent-prompting-ask-build-agent/ta-p/3533544){#exploring-build-agent__ba-prompting-community-link-ph} * **[Build Agent use cases](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/GEKBn6kczYKKPyCP44LTEQ)** Use Build Agent for a wide range of development scenarios beyond application creation, including app analysis, modernization, documentation, governance, and learning assistance. * **[Build Agent workflow](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bAQhi_8_FdIvwJIqUnWVJA)** The Build Agent workflow automates building applications, testing, and deploying update sets on the ServiceNow AI Platform. Build Agent streamlines development by handling code compilation, quality checks, and deployment steps without manual intervention. * **[Build Agent chat panel](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/q3KW_n~SoMFlcdQ6crm8hw)** The Build Agent chat panel is where you interact with the AI agent during development. Use it to submit requests, review responses, and apply generated code. * **[Supported models and versions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/G88yQefsDbSNEYomg2uCaA)** Learn which AI models and versions Build Agent supports and how to change them. Use this information to verify compatibility and select the right model for your task. * **[Tutorial for Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/e8BOKU7oZ4y8V5Yg108leg)** Learn to develop reusable server-side logic and build a ServiceNow® application in Build Agent, from data modeling through testing, using agentic development. * **[General guidelines for Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/PLxmFvevquklQ0zlKNZTxA)** Use these guidelines to get the most out of Build Agent in your development workflow. * **[Build Agent tools](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/5nGB0jzHeMvdHGWhfObrew)** Build Agent tools support application development tasks such as semantic search, schema inspection, code search, planning, UI validation, database querying, app navigation, and script execution. Each tool extends what Build Agent can do during a build session. * **[Playbook authoring with Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/iOUz9CDdQvBb4cdKrSkZfQ)** Use Build Agent to author and manage Playbook Designer artifacts through a conversation. You can generate playbook structures, configure activities, set runtime permissions, and define launcher configurations without manually navigating the Playbook Designer UI. * **[MCP connections and Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/P4sT4iEXZOfs7YUr5wZbmg)** MCP connections enable Build Agent to access external tools and resources through standardized communication. Use these connections to integrate third-party applications like Figma for accelerated design-to-development workflows. * **[Build Agent governance](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/R01L4_2rkxcvH7LNfoMmSA)** Governance controls in Build Agent help with code quality, security, and compliance when generating applications. The Build Agent automated safeguards prevent common development issues and enforce organizational standards. * **[Build Agent limitations](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/d3Go5Ad_lvTbN3MIjFEt7Q)** Plan deployments and troubleshoot issues by learning about Build Agent constraints that affect deployment capabilities and performance.