Use case: Summarize a client script using ServiceNow Otto

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated August 11, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Client Script Summarization Using ServiceNow Otto (Australia Release)

    This feature enables developers working with ServiceNow UI Builder portals to quickly understand existing client scripts using AI-generated summaries. It addresses challenges such as lengthy, undocumented scripts that are time-consuming to interpret manually, reducing risks of errors during updates. By leveraging ServiceNow Otto’s Client Script Summarization skill, developers gain instant, clear explanations of script logic and trigger conditions, streamlining maintenance and enhancements.

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    How It Works

    • Developers select any client script within the Data and scripts panel of a UI Builder page.
    • Using the Explain Code panel, which appears if the developer has the uibuilderadmin role and the Client Script Summarization skill is enabled, they request an AI-generated summary.
    • ServiceNow Otto provides both a high-level overview and a detailed breakdown of the script’s behavior and triggers.
    • If scripts are modified, developers can regenerate the explanation to reflect updates, ensuring ongoing clarity.

    Prerequisites and Configuration

    • Install the UI generation plugin.
    • Ensure the developer has the uibuilderadmin role assigned.
    • Enable the Client Script Summarization skill within the Now Experience Framework.
    • Access the portal experience via All > Now Experience Framework > UI Builder and open the relevant page and client script.

    Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    • Significantly reduces the time required to understand complex client scripts from hours to minutes.
    • Minimizes risk of introducing bugs by providing accurate, AI-generated explanations before making changes.
    • Supports confident, efficient maintenance and enhancement of existing UI Builder portals.
    • Keeps documentation up to date dynamically as scripts are modified.

    Understand and edit client scripts.

    Scenario

    A developer at a financial services company has joined a team responsible for managing an existing IT operations portal created with UI Builder. This portal consists of multiple pages that contain client scripts written by a previous developer who is no longer with the organization. Before making any modifications, the new developer needs to understand the functionality of each client script and the specific events that trigger them.

    Problem

    The client scripts are lengthy and undocumented, making it time-consuming for the developer to read through each one to understand its purpose. Misinterpreting a script before making changes could introduce bugs or break key portal functionality. Manually reviewing and documenting each script would take hours and slow down the team’s ability to deliver updates.

    Solution

    With Client script summarization, the developer can select any client script in the Data and scripts panel and request an instant AI-generated explanation. ServiceNow Otto provides both a high-level summary and a detailed breakdown of the script’s logic and trigger conditions, enabling the developer to quickly assess the script’s purpose and decide whether changes are safe to make.

    Before you begin

    Make sure that you install UI generation and that you have the ui_builder_admin role. For more information, see Install UI generation and Grant UI Builder admin role.

    Configuration steps

    Perform the following steps to use the Client script summarization skill:
    1. Navigate to All > Now Experience Framework > UI Builder.
    2. Open the IT operations portal experience.
    3. Select the page that includes the client script for review.
    4. In the Data and scripts panel, open the relevant client script.
      The Explain Code panel appears.
      Note:
      The Explain Code panel appears only if you're assigned the ui_builder_admin role and if the Client script summarization skill is enabled.
    5. Select Explain this code.
    6. Review the concise summary and detailed explanation, including trigger conditions.
    7. If you make changes to the script, select Explain again to regenerate the summary for the updated version.
      Note:
      If you update a script after reviewing the explanation, the Explain Code panel will notify you of the code changes. Always select Explain again to understand the latest version of the script.

    Outcome

    The developer quickly comprehends the purpose and functionality of the client scripts, whereas manually reading and interpreting the code would take several hours. This knowledge enables the developer to confidently plan and implement updates without the risk of introducing unintended regressions.