---
sourceDocument: Australia Build or modify applications
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/application-development

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Build or modify applications

ft:clusterId :

    - cadev

bundleId :

    - cadev

workflow :

    - Development, Data, and Analytics


---

# Create an application

# Create an application with the ServiceNow SDK {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read

Create an application to develop in source code with the ServiceNow SDK.

## Before you begin

Use the ServiceNow SDK to authenticate to a ServiceNow instance. For more information, see [Authenticating to a ServiceNow instance with the ServiceNow SDK](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/nL7cd6DX4nhPL7JqXrpiAQ "Authenticate to a ServiceNow instance and store user credentials for accessing the instance on your system with the ServiceNow SDK.").

Role required: admin

## About this task

This procedure uses the ServiceNow SDK command-line interface (CLI). From a command-line tool, enter `now-sdk --help` to get information about the available commands and global options. To get additional information about a
command and its parameters, enter the command and `--help` or `-h`. For example, `now-sdk auth --help`. For more information about the CLI, see [ServiceNow SDK CLI](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/1MO9bmCip~e_esXKiwLOVQ#servicenow-sdk-cli-commands "Use the ServiceNow SDK command-line interface (CLI) to manage changes between a local application and the application on an instance.").

## Procedure

1. Create a local directory for your application.
2. In Visual Studio Code, open the directory.
3. From the application directory, open an integrated Terminal window.
4. Create an application following a guided set of prompts with the `init` command:  

       npx @servicenow/sdk init

   Note:  
   Using the `npx` command installs the ServiceNow SDK in your application directory instead of globally.
5. Respond to the following series of prompts.  
   {#create-application-now-sdk__table_ivh_lzn_pdc__entry__2}

   | Prompt | Response |
   |-|-|
   | Select a template | Select a template that determines the default application structure, such as whether to create a full-stack application that supports UI development ands whether to use JavaScript or TypeScript to create modules. |
   | Name of ServiceNow Application | Enter a name for the application. |
   | NPM package name | Enter a name for the application package used in the package.json file. The package name must adhere to Node Package Manager (npm) package naming standards. |
   | Create a Global/Scoped App? | Select whether to create a scoped or global application. * Scoped: Create a scoped application that is protected by identifying and restricting access to application files and data. * Global: Create an application in the global scope to allow it to be accessible to other global applications. Global applications are supported only with instances beginning with the Australia release. {#create-application-now-sdk__ul_mbq_15t_m3c} |
   | Scope name | For scoped applications, enter the scope of the application. The scope name must be unique on the instance, begin with x_\<prefix\>, and be 18 characters or fewer. For more information, see [Namespace identifier](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/4r91RROpIUdqYvlYCoy3oQ "The system adds a namespace identifier to the front of application artifacts such as tables, scripts, and configuration records."). |
   [ ]

   {#create-application-now-sdk__table_ivh_lzn_pdc}  
   In the following example, a scoped application named Example App (x_snc_example_app) is created.

       $ npx @servicenow/sdk init
       [now-sdk] Bootstrapping a new ServiceNow application project...
       ? Select a template: now-sdk + basic
       ? Name of ServiceNow Application:  Example App
       ? NPM package name:  example-app
       ? Scope name:  x_snc_example_app
       [now-sdk] Application created successfully.
                 Install the required dependencies with your preferred package manager before running "$now-sdk build".
                 Ex: Run "npm install" if using npm.

6. Install the required third-party dependencies using your preferred package manager.  
   For example, if you use Node Package Manager (npm), run `npm install`.
7. Build the application with the `build` command:  

       now-sdk build

8. **Optional:** Install the application on an instance with the `install` command:  

       now-sdk install --auth <alias>

## Result

An application with the default application structure is available locally.
For information about the application structure, see the [Application structure](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ctrNTXJvQ5Ygxu7d2YraWA#building-applications-source-code__application-structure) section of the Building applications in source code topic.

If you installed the application successfully, it's available on the instance. For more information about installing applications, see [Build and install an application with the ServiceNow SDK](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/rnpBfFywHE7VmjLj_ajZXg "Build and install a local application developed with the ServiceNow SDK on a ServiceNow instance.").

## What to do next

In Visual Studio Code, start developing your application in source code with ServiceNow Fluent, writing custom JavaScript modules, or adding third-party libraries. For more information, see [Developing applications with the ServiceNow SDK](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/TSA~0RNlIJsoIkW~HyJ9Ag "Create and develop applications in source code locally in Visual Studio Code Desktop with the ServiceNow SDK. Build and install applications to make your changes available on an instance.").