Building applications in source code

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated June 2, 2026
  • 4 minutes to read
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    Summary of Building applications in source code

    ServiceNow enables customers to create and develop custom applications using source code through two main development environments: the ServiceNow IDE on the ServiceNow AI Platform and the ServiceNow SDK for local development with Visual Studio Code Desktop. Both environments use ServiceNow Fluent, a domain-specific language with APIs to define application metadata, alongside JavaScript modules and third-party libraries to enhance code reuse within scoped applications. Developing applications in source code provides the advantages of familiar tools, easier source control management, complex application modification, and early error detection at build time.

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    ServiceNow IDE vs ServiceNow SDK

    • ServiceNow IDE: An online IDE based on Visual Studio Code for the Web that supports real-time collaboration, Git integration, full ServiceNow Fluent language server support, JavaScript modules, and the Build Agent accessed via a chat panel. It supports converting existing applications and allows one concurrent branch per repository per instance or sandbox.
    • ServiceNow SDK: Allows local development with Visual Studio Code Desktop, supports offline work, collaboration through source control, full Git functionality, installation of the ServiceNow Fluent language server extension, and Build Agent skills starting from version 4.6.0. It also supports converting existing applications and JavaScript modules.

    Application Structure

    Applications created or converted using these tools follow a structured format similar to Node.js/npm packages, defined by package.json and now.config.json. Key directories and files include:

    • .vscode: Recommended VS Code extensions
    • dist: Build artifacts including metadata XML and static asset files
    • metadata: Application metadata in XML (not to be edited directly)
    • nodemodules: Third-party Node.js dependencies
    • src: Source code split into client (UI files), fluent (ServiceNow Fluent files), and server (JavaScript modules)
    • target: Installable package (.zip) for instance upload
    • Configuration files such as .eslintrc for code quality, .gitignore for source control exclusions, and now.config.json for application-specific configuration

    Editing metadata should be done through source code or the ServiceNow AI Platform rather than directly modifying XML files.

    Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    • Build complex, maintainable applications using familiar development tools and workflows
    • Leverage ServiceNow Fluent and JavaScript modules to efficiently define metadata and reuse code
    • Collaborate seamlessly with other developers through source control integration and real-time code sharing (ServiceNow IDE) or local Git workflows (ServiceNow SDK)
    • Utilize build-time error detection and tools like ESLint to ensure code quality
    • Deploy applications as packaged artifacts for consistent instance uploads

    Create and develop custom applications in source code using familiar development tools and processes.

    Overview of development in source code

    You can create applications in code using the ServiceNow IDE on the ServiceNow AI Platform or locally in Visual Studio Code Desktop with the ServiceNow SDK.

    In either development environment, you use ServiceNow Fluent, a domain-specific programming language, to define the metadata that makes up applications. ServiceNow Fluent includes APIs for defining the different types of metadata.

    With the ServiceNow IDE or ServiceNow SDK, you can also create JavaScript modules and use third-party libraries in your application to optimize code reuse in scripts within an application scope.

    Developing and maintaining applications in source code enables you to work in familiar development environments, create and modify complex applications, manage code in source control more easily, and catch errors at build time.

    Comparison of the ServiceNow IDE and the ServiceNow SDK

    Feature ServiceNow IDE ServiceNow SDK
    Development environment Online ServiceNow instance Local development and the ability to work offline
    User interface IDE based on Visual Studio Code for the Web Visual Studio Code Desktop
    Collaboration View any user's changes in real time in code or embedded ServiceNow AI Platform user interfaces.

    Collaborate with other developers on applications in source control.

    		 Download changes from an instance and install local changes to an instance using the ServiceNow SDK CLI to collaborate with other users.

    Collaborate with other developers on applications in source control.
    Source control Supports the most common Git functionality and integrating with a Git provider of your choice.

    One concurrent branch per repository per instance (or developer sandbox).

    		 Full support
    Application conversion Support for converting existing applications not created with the ServiceNow IDE or ServiceNow SDK. Support for converting existing applications not created with the ServiceNow IDE or ServiceNow SDK.
    ServiceNow Fluent Full support

    The ServiceNow Fluent Language server is included with the ServiceNow IDE.

    		 Full support

    The ServiceNow Fluent Language server can be installed from the Visual Studio Code Extension Marketplace.
    JavaScript modules and third-party libraries Full support Full support
    ServiceNow Otto for Code Code auto-complete support for scripts.

    For information about activation, see Now Assist for Code.

    		 Not supported
    Build Agent Full support. Build Agent is accessed from a chat panel in the ServiceNow IDE.

    For information about activation, see Build Agent.

    		 Build Agent skills are available beginning with ServiceNow SDK version 4.6.0.

    Application structure

    Applications created or converted with the ServiceNow IDE or ServiceNow SDK include source code files and metadata XML files. The package.json and now.config.json files define the application structure, which is similar to that of Node.js applications or Node Package Manager (npm) packages.

    Figure 1. Default structure of an application created in the ServiceNow IDE
    Structure of an application created in the ServiceNow IDE

    By default, applications include the following directories and files. You can modify certain aspects of the application structure to suit your needs in the now.config.json file.

    Table 1. Application structure in source code
    Directory or file Description
    .vscode Directory containing recommended Visual Studio Code extensions.
    dist Directory containing the build artifacts for packaging. This directory includes the following subdirectories:
    • app: Directory containing the built metadata XML files.
    • static: Directory containing the built static asset files.
    metadata

    Directory containing the application metadata (XML) of the application, such as table schemas and business rules, organized in the same directory structure as existing ServiceNow applications.

    Note:
    Application metadata shouldn't be edited from the XML files. Edit application metadata in the source code or on the ServiceNow AI Platform.
    node_modules Directory containing the third-party Node.js modules on which your application depends.
    src Directory containing the source code of your application. This directory includes the following subdirectories:
    • client: Directory containing the client-side files for developing user interfaces.
    • fluent: Directory containing ServiceNow Fluent code in .now.ts files. The generated subdirectory contains the application files converted to ServiceNow Fluent.
    • server: Directory containing JavaScript module code in .js or .ts files.
    target Directory containing an installable package (.zip file) to upload to an instance.
    .eslintrc File containing the ESLint configuration. ESLint helps identify and fix issues in the application code.
    .gitignore File containing a list of directories or files for Git to ignore. These files aren't tracked in source control.
    now.config.json File containing the ServiceNow application configuration. The now.config.json file must be in the base directory for an application. You can configure aspects of an application by adding support parameters. For more information, see Custom application configuration in source code.
    now.prebuild.mjs Auto-updated file containing complete information about dependencies and their versions. This file is only available with the ServiceNow SDK.
    package-lock.json Auto-updated file containing complete information about dependencies and their versions. This file is only available with the ServiceNow SDK.
    package.json File containing information about your application and custom or third-party module dependencies. The package.json file must be in the base directory for an application. On an instance, the package.json path is specified in the Package JSON field of the custom application record [sys_app] in the format <scope>/<package-name>/<version>/package.json.

    Related applications and features

    JavaScript APIs
    Use JavaScript APIs in scripts that you write to change the functionality of applications or when you create applications.