---
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
---
# Build Agent tools
# Build Agent tools {#ariaid-title1}
Release version: Australia
Updated July 23, 2026
 4 minutes to read
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## Summary of Build Agent tools
Build Agent tools enhance application development within ServiceNow by supporting tasks such as semantic search, schema inspection, code search, planning, UI validation, database querying, app navigation, and script execution.
Each tool extends Build Agent's capabilities during a build session to streamline development, improve accuracy, and maintain governance.
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## Key Features
* **Code search tool:** Search workspace files using exact text or regex to find references and assess change impacts across your app.
* **Open app tool:** Converts legacy or non-Fluent applications into Fluent format for development within Build Agent by locating and adding apps to your workspace.
* **Planning tool:** Generates detailed, iterative development plans that you can refine through feedback to finalize your app strategy.
* **Rollback script tool:** Allows on-demand reversion of scripts run by Build Agent or Autonomous Engineer in the current session, restoring your instance to its prior state. Requires Australia Patch 5 or later.
* **Run query tool:** Queries specific instance tables to retrieve top records or derive insights.
* **Run script tool:** Generates and executes server-side scripts for custom operations beyond querying, with prior review and approval. Runs scripts in the app's scope. Requires Australia Patch 5 or later.
* **Semantic metadata search tool:** Enables intent-based search for files and applications without exact keywords, preventing duplicate content creation. Supports implicit and explicit searches. Requires Australia Patch 2 or later.
* **Table schema inspector tool:** Provides detailed schema information (fields, types, mandatory flags, references) to help understand or verify table structures before development.
* **UI validation tool:** Automatically detects and validates UI components built during development using Playwright MCP skills on ATF Cloud Runner. Available from Australia Patch 3 onward and requires ATF test generator and Cloud Runner apps.
* **Web search tool:** Supports external public web searches. Requires Australia Patch 4 or later and must be enabled in settings.
* **Web fetch tool:** Retrieves content directly from specified URLs to support development research.
## Key Outcomes
* Facilitates comprehensive application development by integrating multiple tools in Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer.
* Improves development accuracy and efficiency through semantic and code searches, planning, and schema inspection.
* Ensures safe changes with rollback capabilities and controlled script execution under governance policies.
* Supports modern UI validation leveraging automated testing infrastructure for higher quality interfaces.
* Enables working with legacy apps by converting them to Fluent format for unified development experience.
* Expands research and knowledge discovery with semantic metadata and external web search capabilities.
Build Agent 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 Build Agent can do during a build session.
## Code search tool {#build-agent-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 {#build-agent-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 {#build-agent-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 {#build-agent-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.").
Note:
To use the rollback script tool, you must be on Australia Patch 5 or later.
## Run query tool {#build-agent-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 {#build-agent-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.").
Note:
To use the run script tool, you must be on Australia Patch 5 or later.
## Semantic metadata search tool {#build-agent-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.
Note:
You must have Australia Patch 2 and later to use the semantic search tool.
## Table schema inspector tool {#build-agent-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 {#build-agent-tools__section_pqk_b4w_z3c}
Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer detect UI components created during the build process, then analyze and validate 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, starting with Australia Patch 3 to use it in ServiceNow Studio.
Note:
The ATF test generator and Cloud Runner app must be installed on the instance to use the UI validation tool.
## Web search tool {#build-agent-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.
Note:
* You must have Australia Patch 4 and later to use the web search tool.
* 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.").