---
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


---

# Initialize a Git repository

# Initialize a Git repository with the ServiceNow IDE {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Zurich
* 
* Updated July 31, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Initialize a local Git repository for an application and push it to a remote Git repository to manage an application in source control.

## Before you begin

* Create or convert an application with the ServiceNow IDE. For more information, see [Create an application with the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/RExDjkfKVZFt87FEhT24Vg "Create a scoped application to develop in source code with the ServiceNow IDE.") or [Convert an application with the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/4brGVJGxz4_QZVNGN_xWag "Convert an existing scoped application to support development in source code with the ServiceNow IDE.").
* Create a dedicated Git repository for the application from your Git provider.
* Set your basic or OAuth 2.0 credentials for the ServiceNow IDE to connect to your Git repository. For more information, see [Connect to a Git provider using basic authentication with the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/UiXx2L1YjF8_qtctNX6r3A "Connect to a Git domain using basic authentication credentials to manage applications in source control from the ServiceNow IDE.") or [Configure OAuth 2.0 credentials to connect to a Git provider with the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/1C0y3cFU~Z5z8AatdjrQTQ#authenticate-git-repository-oauth "Connect to a Git domain using OAuth 2.0 credentials to manage applications in source control from the ServiceNow IDE.").

{#initialize-git-repository-servicenow-ide__ul_cst_bs4_bcc}

Role required: admin

## About this task

An application on an instance can be connected to only one repository at a time. To clone an application that exists in a remote Git repository, see [Clone a Git repository with the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/rEdqqORM5ESGFDi6N351xw "Clone a remote Git repository to collaborate on applications in source control with the ServiceNow IDE.").

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllApp DevelopmentServiceNow IDE.
2. Open a workspace with an application that isn't connected to a Git repository.
3. From the Activity Bar, select the Source Control view (![Source Control]()).
4. Select Initialize Repository or use the <kbd class="ph userinput">Git: Initialize Repository</kbd> command from the command palette.
5. Select the application for which you want to initialize a Git repository and press Enter.
6. Select main as the default branch name or enter another name and press Enter.
7. Select the Stage All Untracked Changes icon (![Stage all untracked changes]()).
8. Enter a commit message and select the Commit icon (![Stage all untracked changes]()).
9. Select the More actions menu icon (![More actions]()) and select Push.
10. Enter a remote repository URL and press Enter.

## Result

The application is available in the remote repository.
If your Git credentials aren't configured or are inactive, the application isn't pushed to the remote repository. When prompted to configure your credentials, select Configure to configure your Git credentials and then try again.

## What to do next

You can check out or create branches in the repository and push changes to the remote repository. For more information, see [Using source control in the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dp5Zi2EB0QJGdGQ_k5MVLg "Use Git commands and other source control features in the ServiceNow IDE to manage changes to an application across a development team.").
**Related concepts**   

* [Connect to a Git provider using OAuth 2.0 with the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/1C0y3cFU~Z5z8AatdjrQTQ#connect-git-provider-oauth-2 "Set up an OAuth 2.0 application registry and credentials to connect to your Git provider from the ServiceNow IDE.")
* [Using source control in the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dp5Zi2EB0QJGdGQ_k5MVLg "Use Git commands and other source control features in the ServiceNow IDE to manage changes to an application across a development team.")  
**Related tasks**   

* [Connect to a Git provider using basic authentication with the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/UiXx2L1YjF8_qtctNX6r3A "Connect to a Git domain using basic authentication credentials to manage applications in source control from the ServiceNow IDE.")
* [Configure a MID Server to use source control with the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/gRB_neLFhsZ2yOneTaAx4A "Configure a MID Server to use source control with the ServiceNow IDE if your Git provider is behind a firewall.")

*[\>]: and then