MCP connections and Build Agent
Summarize
Summary of MCP connections and Build Agent
MCP (Model Context Protocol) connections enable the ServiceNow Build Agent to securely access and interact with various external tools and resources through a standardized communication protocol. This integration allows AI agents within Build Agent to use third-party applications seamlessly, supporting coordinated workflows across different systems without custom integration logic.
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Currently supported MCP connections for Build Agent include Atlassian, Rovo, Docusign, Figma, Linear, Miro, Prisma, Postgres, Zoom (including Zoom Chat, Docs, and Whiteboard). Note that each Zoom integration requires a separate app due to Build Agent's limitation of not supporting multiple servers connecting to one app.
Key Features
- Standardized Communication: MCP defines how AI agents discover and invoke external tools, retrieve resources, and share context, facilitating broad application connectivity.
- ServiceNow Integration: MCP connectors configured in Connect Hub establish connections between ServiceNow and MCP-compatible external systems, enabling Build Agent to access external capabilities.
- Authentication and Approval: Each MCP server must be approved as an AI asset in AI Control Tower by an administrator, authenticated by the user via Personal Integrations, and enabled within Build Agent settings before use.
- Tool Visibility: Users can view available tools per MCP server in the Build Agent settings panel (requires Australia Patch 5 or later).
- Figma Integration: The Figma MCP server uses OAuth for secure access to design data, translating Figma components, styles, and variables into machine-readable formats that Build Agent uses to generate enterprise-grade applications efficiently.
- Supported Environment: MCP connections are usable in both ServiceNow Studio and ServiceNow IDE, requiring Zurich Patch 10 or higher for MCP servers with Build Agent in Studio.
Practical Application and Workflow
To utilize MCP connections:
- An administrator adds the MCP server as a Workflow Data Fabric (WDF) connection and approves it in AI Control Tower.
- Users authenticate the MCP connection through Personal Integrations.
- The MCP server is enabled in Build Agent settings.
Once configured, Build Agent can access external tools to perform tasks such as creating project issues in Linear or accelerating app development from Figma designs. For example, Figma MCP integration allows Build Agent to convert design files directly into application UI components, speeding development and ensuring UI consistency.
Note that connecting Build Agent to the Figma MCP server requires an allowlist process initiated through ServiceNow Support.
MCP connections enable Build Agent to access external tools and resources through standardized communication. Use these connections to integrate third-party applications like Figma for accelerated design-to-development workflows.
- Atlassian Rovo
- Docusign
- Figma
- Linear
- Miro
- Prisma Postgres
- Zoom
- Zoom Chat
- Zoom Docs
- Zoom Whiteboard
MCP is an open protocol that defines how AI agents communicate with external systems to discover and invoke tools, retrieve resources, and share context. By standardizing this communication layer, MCP enables AI agents to interact with a wide range of third-party applications without requiring custom integration logic for each one.
In Connect Hub, an MCP connector represents a configured connection between ServiceNow and an external system that exposes a server compatible with MCP. After you set up an MCP connector, AI agents can use it to access tools and capabilities from the external system, enabling coordinated workflows across models and systems.
Configuration details
For details on configuring MCP connections in Build Agent, see Connect Build Agent to a supported MCP server.
Connect to supported MCP servers
Build Agent can use any MCP connection that's available in an instance's registry, though you must manually authenticate the connection the first time you use it with Build Agent.
An example prompt: Let's create a new project to track my baby's sleep and create issues in Linear based on inputs from the tracker.
Approve and activate MCP servers
Before you can enable an MCP server in Build Agent, an administrator must approve it as an AI asset in AI Control Tower. Each MCP server requires this approval, regardless of whether the server is enabled by default.
- The administrator adds the MCP server as a Workflow Data Fabric (WDF) connection.
- The administrator approves the server as an AI asset in AI Control Tower.
- You authenticate the connection in Personal Integrations.
- You enable the MCP server in Build Agent settings.
Individual MCP servers are enabled by default, but the complete flow must be completed before any server is available for use.
View available tools per MCP server
Application development with Figma MCP server
The Figma MCP (Model Context Protocol) server establishes a secure connection between the Build Agent and Figma using OAuth for login authentication. This server enables the Build Agent to access structured design data directly from Figma files, rather than relying on static screen captures. With the available data, the Build Agent can effectively create applications.
The Figma MCP server translates Figma data, such as components, styles, and variables, into a machine-readable format. The Build Agent uses the translated data to generate code, gather design context, or develop design systems directly from Figma. Developers can create more accurate and consistent application UIs faster than with traditional approaches.
- Designers use Figma to create user interface (UI) components, styles, and variables.
- The Figma MCP server uses OAuth to securely access design data from Figma.
- The Figma MCP server acts as an intermediary, converting Figma design data into the Build Agent context.
- The Build Agent, which is installed on your ServiceNow® instance, receives the translated data and uses it to generate applications.
- The Build Agent creates applications based on the design data provided by Figma.