--- sourceDocument: Australia Build or modify applications sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/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 --- # Autonomous Engineer and Build Agent # Autonomous Engineer and Build Agent {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated October 28, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Autonomous Engineer and Build Agent Autonomous Engineer and Build Agent are two distinct but complementary ServiceNow products designed to enhance and automate application development. Build Agent acts as an autonomous AI execution layer, enabling conversational, incremental development through a chat interface within ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE. Autonomous Engineer leverages Build Agent to handle large or complex implementations by generating structured plans and building work items in parallel, reducing the need for manual artifact creation. Both products are accessed and operated primarily within ServiceNow Studio. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **Separate Products with Integrated Use:** Build Agent can be used independently, but Autonomous Engineer requires Build Agent to execute its automated builds. * **Conversational Development:** Build Agent allows developers to create, edit, and deploy applications using natural language commands through a chat panel. * **Automated, Parallel Execution:** Autonomous Engineer accepts full sets of requirements, creates implementation plans, and uses background agents to build work items concurrently. * **Unified Interface:** Both products share the ServiceNow Studio environment, including the Explorer panel, editor tabs, and the Build Agent chat panel, which provides status updates and surfaces work items that need user review. * **Shared Tools and AI Models:** They utilize the same development tools (semantic search, schema inspection, code search, UI validation, database querying, script execution) and AI models, allowing seamless transitions and consistent configurations. * **Test Integration:** Both products integrate with Test Agent to generate and run tests, ensuring validation of artifacts before deployment. * **Common Configuration and Deployment:** Settings are managed centrally for both products, and deployment uses standard ServiceNow methods such as update sets and the application repository. ## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers * Enable faster, more efficient application development by automating artifact creation and deployment tasks. * Use Build Agent for conversational, incremental changes or Autonomous Engineer for comprehensive implementations from requirements to deployment. * Access progress updates and manage build reviews easily through the integrated chat panel in ServiceNow Studio. * Maintain consistency and control with shared AI models, tools, configurations, and deployment workflows. * Streamline validation by leveraging Test Agent integration to ensure quality before moving applications to production. ## Installation Notes Autonomous Engineer is available as a separate application in the ServiceNow Store and installs Build Agent as a dependency. Installing Build Agent alone does not install Autonomous Engineer. Autonomous Engineer and Build Agent are separate products that work together. Autonomous Engineer uses Build Agent as its execution layer. ## Separate products {#ae-build-agent-relationship__section_ae_ba_separate_products} Autonomous Engineer and Build Agent are separately entitled products. Check your entitlements to determine your access to each. You can use Build Agent without Autonomous Engineer, but Autonomous Engineer requires Build Agent to run. Build Agent : An autonomous AI agent that creates and updates ServiceNow applications through a conversational chat interface in ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE. You interact with Build Agent directly through natural language to build, edit, and deploy applications to update sets. Autonomous Engineer : An agentic worker that accepts requirements, generates a structured implementation plan, and builds work items in parallel using background agents. Autonomous Engineer handles large or complex implementations where building each artifact manually is not practical. Autonomous Engineer is available in ServiceNow Studio. Note: Autonomous Engineer is a separate application available in the ServiceNow Store. Installing Autonomous Engineer also installs Build Agent as a dependency. Installing Build Agent alone does not install Autonomous Engineer. ## How they work together {#ae-build-agent-relationship__section_ae_ba_how_they_work_together} Autonomous Engineer uses Build Agent as its execution layer. When Autonomous Engineer builds work items in the execution phase, it does so through Build Agent. The Build Agent chat panel displays status updates and surfaces work items that require your review during execution. Both products are available in ServiceNow Studio. You can use the Build Agent chat panel to interact with either product depending on your development needs. Use Build Agent for conversational, incremental development. Use Autonomous Engineer when you need to go from a full set of requirements to a complete implementation without building each artifact manually. ## What is shared {#ae-build-agent-relationship__section_ae_ba_shared} The following are shared between Autonomous Engineer and Build Agent: ServiceNow Studio environment : Both products run in ServiceNow Studio. The Explorer panel, editor tabs, and open files are in context for both products. Build Agent chat panel : The chat panel in ServiceNow Studio is the interface for both products. During an Autonomous Engineer run, the chat panel surfaces work items that need your attention and displays progress from background agents. Test Agent integration : Both products generate and run Test Agent tests as part of the build process to validate artifacts before deployment. For more information, see [Test what you built with Autonomous Engineer](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2Nkb_L6wmFHh9xnvkxw0qA "Test Agent generates test coverage for each work item that Autonomous Engineer builds, executes the tests, and performs root cause analysis (RCA) on failures."). Tools : Both products use the same set of tools to support application development tasks such as semantic search, schema inspection, code search, UI validation, database querying, and script execution. For more information, see [Supported tools for Autonomous Engineer](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/peazO2A1FhkZyFmAankj4g "Autonomous Engineer tools support application development tasks such as semantic search, schema inspection, code search, planning, UI validation, database querying, app navigation, and script execution. Each tool extends what Autonomous Engineer can do during a build session."). Models : Both products draw from the same set of supported AI models. You can change the active model from within either product. For more information, see [Supported models for Autonomous Engineer](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/1xFoLYWJ0s6OxXBmqozzMQ "Learn which AI models and versions Autonomous Engineer supports and how to change them. Use this information to verify compatibility and select the right model for your task."). Settings : Configuration settings for Autonomous Engineer and Build Agent are managed in the same location. Settings that apply to Build Agent also apply when Autonomous Engineer runs. For more information, see [Configure Autonomous Engineer](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/G1fvwe8dhS059DHdvmKZ0g "Configure Autonomous Engineer by installing it from the ServiceNow Store and enabling the features required for planning and parallel execution on your instance."). Deployment : Both products use the same deployment methods to move applications from development to production environments, including update sets and the application repository. For more information, see [Deploying what you built with Autonomous Engineer](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Nzig8NH2Jj6pl7lWUyDuWw "When all work items are complete, Autonomous Engineer generates an update set that you export and move through the standard ServiceNow deployment process.").