---
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
---
# Supported tools
# Supported tools for Autonomous Engineer {#ariaid-title1}
Release version: Australia
Updated September 16, 2026
 4 minutes to read
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## Summary of Supported tools for Autonomous Engineer
Autonomous Engineer provides a suite of tools designed to facilitate various application development tasks within ServiceNow.
These tools enhance capabilities such as searching, planning, validating, querying, and scripting during build sessions, enabling developers to work efficiently and accurately on their applications.
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## Key Features
* **Code Search Tool:** Allows searching workspace files by exact text or regex to find references to fields, scripts, or functions, helping assess the impact of changes before implementation.
* **Open App Tool:** Converts applications not originally developed with ServiceNow IDE, Studio, or SDK into Fluent format, enabling their integration and development within the Build Agent workspace.
* **Planning Tool:** Generates detailed, iterative development plans that can be refined through feedback until finalization, supporting structured application building.
* **Rollback Script Tool:** Enables reverting scripts executed by Build Agent or Autonomous Engineer during the current session, restoring the instance to its prior state if unexpected results occur. Usage is governed for security.
* **Run Query Tool:** Executes queries on specific instance tables to retrieve top records or insights, aiding data exploration.
* **Run Script Tool:** Generates and runs server-side scripts requiring custom logic or dynamic creation beyond querying. Scripts require user approval before execution and run within the app's scope, with governance controls applied.
* **Semantic Metadata Search Tool:** Provides intelligent searching based on semantic understanding rather than keywords, allowing for implicit and explicit searches to locate files, applications, or knowledge relevant to development tasks.
* **Table Schema Inspector Tool:** Displays comprehensive details about table fields including names, types, mandatory status, and references, assisting in schema understanding and validation before development.
* **UI Validation Tool:** Automatically detects and validates UI components created during builds using Playwright skills and the Automated Test Framework (ATF) Cloud Runner. Requires ATF test generator and Cloud Runner apps installed.
* **Web Search and Web Fetch Tools:** Support external information retrieval via public web search and fetching content from specified URLs. Web search must be enabled in settings.
## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers
* Streamline application development by leveraging specialized tools for searching, planning, validating, and scripting within a unified environment.
* Reduce errors and manage risks with rollback capabilities and thorough UI validation.
* Improve discovery and reuse of existing application components through semantic search, minimizing duplication.
* Ensure comprehensive understanding of data schemas and application structures before making changes.
* Access external knowledge and content to inform development efforts seamlessly.
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.
## Code search tool {#ae-supported-tools__section_code-search}
The code search tool searches workspace files by exact text or regex patterns. Use the code search tool to find references to a field, script, or function across your app, and to understand the impact of a change before making it.
## Open app tool {#ae-supported-tools__section_cbg_xhx_z3c}
For applications that were not developed using the ServiceNow IDE, ServiceNow Studio, or the ServiceNow SDK, you must convert them into Fluent format to enable development within the Build Agent. You can prompt the Build Agent to use the open app tool to locate the application you want. Alternatively, you can search for an application directly within the Build Agent, and it will automatically use the open app tool. The open app tool can find an application, convert it to Fluent format, and then add the converted app to your workspace.
## Planning tool {#ae-supported-tools__section_zvr_jdj_fhc}
Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer include a planning tool that creates a detailed, step-by-step plan for your application development. You can refine the plan iteratively by prompting for changes and providing feedback until you reach
a final version.
## Rollback script tool {#ae-supported-tools__section_rollback-script}
The rollback script tool reverts a previous run script tool operation on demand. After Build Agent or Autonomous Engineer runs a script, it returns a rollback context you can use to undo that run. Use the rollback script tool when a script run produces an unexpected result and you want to restore your instance to its
previous state.
Only scripts run by Build Agent or Autonomous Engineer in the current session can be reverted using this tool. For details on security and governance around the rollback script tool, see [Build Agent governance](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/C3Mrgv_RcUZavdVUn9VU3w "Governance controls in Build Agent help with code quality, security, and compliance when generating applications. The Build Agent automated safeguards prevent common development issues and enforce organizational standards.").
## Run query tool {#ae-supported-tools__section_lny_jhx_z3c}
Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer can use the run query tool to query a specific table within your instance and return the top five records or derive specific insights.
## Run script tool {#ae-supported-tools__section_run-script}
The run script tool generates and runs a server-side script on your instance during a build session. Use the run script tool when you need Build Agent or Autonomous Engineer to perform an operation that goes beyond querying a table. For example, to retrieve data that requires custom logic, or to create something dynamically when no other tool covers the task.
Before the script runs, Build Agent or Autonomous Engineer shows you the generated script, its stated intent, and the application scope it will run in. You must approve the operation before it executes. The script runs in the scope of the app you're building
by default. For details on security and governance around the run script tool, see [Build Agent governance](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/C3Mrgv_RcUZavdVUn9VU3w "Governance controls in Build Agent help with code quality, security, and compliance when generating applications. The Build Agent automated safeguards prevent common development issues and enforce organizational standards.").
## Semantic metadata search tool {#ae-supported-tools__my-topic-id}
The semantic metadata search tool is part of the Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer tool registry. Semantic search enables you to describe what you're looking for without providing the exact file name or keyword. For example, you can search for files related to incident process management, and the tool finds relevant results based on semantic understanding, not just keyword matching. Indexing keeps results current as your instance evolves.
Build Agent uses semantic search in two ways:
Implicit search
: Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer determine when to use the semantic search tool based on your development task. When you describe what you want to accomplish, Build Agent or Autonomous Engineer searches for existing files and applications that match your intent. It then presents the results in a plan for your approval, which helps prevent duplicate content creation.
Explicit search
: You can directly request a search by asking Build Agent or Autonomous Engineer to find something on your instance. Use explicit search when you want to locate specific files, applications, or knowledge without making changes.
## Table schema inspector tool {#ae-supported-tools__section_table-schema-inspector}
The table schema inspector tool returns every field on a table, including field names, types, mandatory flags, and reference targets. Use the table schema inspector tool to understand a table's structure before adding fields or
writing logic against it, and to verify the schema of base system tables.
## UI validation tool {#ae-supported-tools__section_pqk_b4w_z3c}
Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer detect UI components created during the build process, then analyzes and validates the UI using the UI validation tool. The tool automatically uses skills available in the Playwright MCP and executes them on the Automated Test Framework (ATF) Cloud Runner infrastructure.
You can specifically prompt UI validation by asking Build Agent or Autonomous Engineer to validate the UI built using the ATF cloud runner tooling. The UI validation tool is available for Build Agent in both ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE.
Note:
The ATF test generator and Cloud Runner app must be installed on the instance to use the UI validation tool.
## Web search tool {#ae-supported-tools__section_pqk_b4w_z3c2}
Two Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer tools support external search.
* Use the web search tool to find information on the public web.
* Use the web fetch tool to retrieve content from a URL that you supply.
{#ae-supported-tools__ul_nv4_fqg_pkc}
Note:
The web search tool must be enabled in the Build Agent or Autonomous Engineer settings. For more information, see [Configure web search](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/0LA4FraiP1NHy15iAOdmDg "Enable the web search tool so that Build Agent can search the public web and retrieve relevant information when responding to queries.").