---
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


---

# Build Agent overview

# Agentic ServiceNow AI Platform development with Build Agent {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Build Agent is the primary AI-powered development tool that works directly with the ServiceNow AI Platform to help you build applications. It generates code based on natural language descriptions, suggests improvements, and automates repetitive development tasks while you retain control of your
application.
Build Agent is not a one-shot tool, but enables enterprise-grade agentic development.

* Use Build Agent if you understand and can support what it generates.
* Build Agent is for development on the ServiceNow AI Platform, and requires some knowledge of the ServiceNow AI Platform.
* Build Agent requires you to review and actively participate in the development process.
* Build Agent requires the admin role.
{#vc-build-agent-landing__ul_lwv_4sh_b3c}  
Note:  
While Build Agent is part of ServiceNow Otto for Creator, it's the primary ServiceNow tool for agentic development, and thus highlighted in its own section of this document.

## Key benefits of Build Agent {#vc-build-agent-landing__id_rwb_lwz_t3c}

* Built-in governance to develop securely
* Faster enhancement of existing applications, such as adding new features
* Reduced development backlogs and streamlined deployment of new applications
* Better documentation of existing applications through automated documentation
* Increased developer productivity across skill levels
* Reduction in overall development cost
* Automated testing with Automated Test Framework (ATF) test suite generation and execution
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## Additional use cases {#vc-build-agent-landing__id_c5l_twz_t3c}

Some sample use cases for app development with Build Agent include the following examples:

* Rapid prototyping of a new business application
* Creating an HR onboarding workflow
* Adding laptop request to Service Catalog
* Hardening AI-generated code for production
* Refactoring legacy business rules
* Building a mobile-first experience
* Training new developers on the ServiceNow AI Platform
* Extending existing applications
* Designing agentic workflows that chain actions across ServiceNow tables, approvals, and integrations
* Creating custom AI agents tailored to your organization's specific workflows, such as service desk, HR, or IT operations
* Generating skills that extend ServiceNow Otto with domain-specific capabilities
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## Accessing Build Agent {#vc-build-agent-landing__section_fkf_h5p_g3c}

You can access Build Agent in both ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE.  
Note:  
This document provides an overview of how Build Agent sits in the agentic development workflow. For full product documentation, see [Build Agent and ServiceNow AI Platform tools](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/mVS61N9pBdHvHvSLhKRwLw "Compare how Build Agent behaves in ServiceNow Studio (UI-first, declarative workflows) versus the ServiceNow IDE (code-first, autonomous full-stack development), so you can choose the right environment for your task and audience.").
* **[Get started with agentic development using Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/xAjO9cfq4Q4Brmgkq0kNeQ)**   
  Use Build Agent on the ServiceNow AI Platform to build apps agentically by executing complex configuration and development tasks through conversational prompts. This approach simplifies editing and creating ServiceNow applications and metadata such as tables, relationships, and access controls, without manual navigation.
* **[Build Agent and ServiceNow AI Platform tools](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/mVS61N9pBdHvHvSLhKRwLw)**   
  Compare how Build Agent behaves in ServiceNow Studio (UI-first, declarative workflows) versus the ServiceNow IDE (code-first, autonomous full-stack development), so you can choose the right environment for your task and audience.
* **[Creating custom agentic workflows, in-app agents, and skills with Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/1bcMpWN7EGhTufUagJb5rw)**   
  Use Build Agent to create and deploy custom agentic workflows, AI agents, and skills that add agentic experiences to your ServiceNow custom applications, supported by the built-in governance framework.
* **[Limitations of agentic app generation with Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dprn722PJYNrTT6cSfanjw)**   
  Build Agent accelerates agentic app development, but it also has some limitations that you should understand before using it. These constraints span feature coverage, platform compatibility, and governance requirements, all of which affect how and when you can use the tool effectively in agentic development workflows.
* **[Agentic development app refinement in ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/PNw2muBJvcdHuJsWHSvUvA)**   
  ServiceNow Studio connects AI-generated apps to enterprise-grade solutions, where you can review, edit, and enhance your application in a dedicated development environment.
* **[Agentic development app refinement in the ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XRlLa6kThCtmS0vgKBo~Sg)**   
  The ServiceNow IDE provides a VS Code, file-based editing experience with syntax highlighting, code completion, and real-time installing to your instance. Use this approach to harden generated, scaffolded apps into production-grade solutions.