---
sourceDocument: Australia Enable AI
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/intelligent-experiences

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Enable AI

ft:clusterId :

    - platai

bundleId :

    - platai

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Build Agent

# Build Agent {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated September 30, 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 Build Agent

The Build Agent is an AI-powered tool designed to help developers create, edit, and deploy full-stack ServiceNow® applications efficiently.
It handles both user interface and back-end components within update sets.
This agent operates using a distinct framework compared to other ServiceNow AI agents, making its workflow and configuration unique.
Build Agent supports development within ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE, allowing natural language inputs to drive application changes.
Show full answer Show less  

## How It Works

* Developers describe desired changes or new features in natural language.
* The agent parses these requirements and proposes specific applications and files to create or modify.
* It displays proposed code edits, differences, and summaries for user approval before applying changes.
* Once approved, it edits code, metadata, or scaffolds new applications accordingly.
* This cycle repeats until all requested metadata changes are complete.
* Build Agent can create and run Automated Test Framework (ATF) tests based on configuration and user prompts.
* If tests fail, it helps triage issues and generates regression test suites to monitor application health.
* Finally, the agent builds the application for deployment.

## Configuration Highlights

* **Plugins:** Required plugins vary by Build Agent version. Trial/Free versions need `snglider` and `snbuildagent` plugins, while Premium versions require `snnowcreator` (which includes `snbuildagentpro`).
* **Access:** Available through both ServiceNow Studio and ServiceNow IDE, enabling flexible development environments.
* **Model Context Protocol (MCP) Servers:** Build Agent connects to external resources via MCP servers, facilitating standardized communication for enhanced capabilities.
* **Testing Settings:** Controls whether ATF tests are generated and run automatically. Options include syncing ATF tests with the app creation and running UI tests (client/server-side), with UI tests off by default due to longer execution times.
* **Custom Instructions:** Allow enforcement of organizational standards and naming conventions during sessions. These include preloaded rules and on-demand skills to guide specific workflows. Instructions can apply globally, within specific app scopes, or to individual users.

## Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

* Accelerates application development by using natural language to generate and modify code and metadata.
* Ensures quality through integrated automated testing and regression suites, improving app reliability.
* Supports consistent development practices via customizable rules and instructions aligned with organizational standards.
* Offers seamless integration with ServiceNow Studio and IDE, fitting into existing developer workflows.
* Provides flexible configuration to match different development needs and access to external tools through MCP servers.  
This AI agent enables developers to create, edit, and deploy full-stack ServiceNow® applications to update sets that encompass both user interface and back-end components.
Important:  
Build Agent uses a different framework than other ServiceNow® AI agents. Review the following workflow and configuration settings for Build Agent. For more information, see [Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US).

## Workflow {#build-agent__section_iwq_khx_skc}

You describe what to build or change in natural language, and Build Agent proposes, applies, tests, and builds the changes for your review. The workflow is the same in ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE.

1. Based on the user's request, parse the requirements.
2. Propose the application and files to create or modify.
3. Display the proposed edits, diffs, and summaries, and pause for user approval.
4. Once approved, edit the code or metadata, or scaffold a new application.
5. Repeat until the requested metadata changes are complete.
6. When prompted, or after asking the user depending on the configuration, create and run Automated Test Framework (ATF) tests.
7. If tests fail, triage the failures and produce a regression test suite for monitoring app health.
8. Build the application.
{#build-agent__ol_build_agent_workflow}

## Configuration {#build-agent__section_if4_hmx_skc}

{#build-agent__table_tlf_ylx_skc__entry__2}

| Configuration area | Description |
|-|-|
| Plugins | Plugins are required for Build Agent and vary by version. * For Build Agent (Trial/Free): `sn_glider` and `sn_build_agent` plugins. * For Build Agent (Premium): the `sn_now_creator` plugin, which contains the `sn_build_agent_pro` plugin. {#build-agent__ul_k4p_r4x_skc} |
| Access | Build Agent is accessible in both ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE. |
| Model context protocol (MCP) servers | Build Agent enables access to external tools and resources through standardized communication (MCP servers). For more information, see [MCP connections and Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=accelerate-design-to-development-with-figma-mcp-server&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US) and [Connect Build Agent to a supported MCP server](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-connct-mcp-server&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US). |
| Tests | Test settings determine whether Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer generate and run Automated Test Framework (ATF) tests in conversations. * Sync ATF tests with app: Generates ATF tests when the agent creates an app, and keeps the tests synced when the app is edited. * Run UI ATF tests: Runs client-side and server-side UI ATF tests. This setting requires Sync ATF tests with app and is off by default because UI test runs are slower. {#build-agent__ul_ba_test_settings}For more information, see [Configure auto test prompting and UI tests](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-config-testing&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US). |
| Custom instructions | Custom instructions control how Build Agent behaves during a session. * Rules are preloaded into every session automatically. Rules enforce consistent behavior, such as naming conventions or organizational standards. * Skills are available on demand when a user or the agent invokes them by name. Skills provide task-specific guidance, such as internal guidelines for a particular workflow pattern. {#build-agent__ul_ba_custom_instructions}The Applies To setting determines which sessions use an instruction: all sessions on the instance, sessions within a specific application scope, or only the sessions of the user who created it. For more information, see [Configure custom skills and rules](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-configure-custom-skills-rules&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US). |
[Table 1. Build Agent configuration]

{#build-agent__table_tlf_ylx_skc}