Robotic Process Automation (RPA) bot generation skill

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read

    • Use the RPA bot generation skill to create automations, activities, and automation logic additions from text instructions and preview options from the RPA Desktop Design Studio user interface.

    The skill enables citizen developers to participate in the automation development process. Citizen developers can contribute their domain expertise and knowledge of business processes to create automation flows. A citizen developer can quickly and easily create automation flows by describing the task or process in natural language via text. No in-depth technical knowledge of Robotic Process Automation (RPA tools) or programming languages is needed, which makes automation accessible to a wider audience.

    The RPA bot generation skill streamlines the process of creating workflows, reducing the time and effort required to implement RPA solutions. An automation flow can be generated in minutes rather than hours or days, accelerating the time-to-value.

    By generating automation flows through text-based descriptions, RPA becomes more approachable for individuals and businesses who may not have prior experience with automation or coding.

    Access the RPA bot generation skill from the RPA Desktop Design Studio user interface.

    Enable RPA bot generation to gain the following benefits:
    • Build simple, brand-new automations quickly and efficiently.
    • Easily add new activities to existing automations, ensuring modularity and scalability.
    • Use in-line prompting to refine automation logic, whether starting from components or a empty design surface.

    Roles

    RPA developer (sn_rpa_fdn.rpa_developer) or RPA admin (sn_rpa_fdn.rpa_admin) roles are required to use this skill. These roles contain the Now Assist Admin user role (sn_nowassist_admin.user).

    Activation

    Install the Now Assist for RPA Hub application from the ServiceNow Store website. For more information, see Install Now Assist for RPA Hub.

    Then, turn on the RPA bot generation skill to use generative AI for creating automations and activities, and extending automation logic. For more information, see Turn on the RPA bot generation skill.

    You must have a subscription for Now Assist for Creator and RPA Hub applications. For more information, see Supporting information for Now Assist for RPA Hub.

    Limitations of the RPA bot generation skill

    For more information about the limitations of the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) bot generation skill, see Limitations of Now Assist for RPA Hub.

    Accessing the generative AI capability in RPA Desktop Design Studio

    If you log in to the RPA Desktop Design Studio with either RPA Developer or RPA Admin after enabling the RPA bot generation skill, the generative AI capability is available. In this scenario, you can create and edit automations, activities, and extend automation logic flow through text instructions and preview options.

    If you log in to the RPA Desktop Design Studio with a role other than RPA Developer or RPA Admin after enabling the RPA bot generation skill, the generative AI capability will not be available. In this scenario, you will not be able to create and edit automations, activities, or extend automation logic flow through text instructions and preview options.

    If you log in to the RPA Desktop Design Studio with a role other than RPA Developer or RPA Admin and then switch to one of these roles, you won't be able to access the generative AI capability. Restart the RPA Desktop Design Studio and log in with RPA Admin or Developer.

    If you log in to the RPA Desktop Design Studio with either RPA Developer or RPA Admin, and then switch to any other user roles apart from these, you will encounter an error message when attempting to access the generative AI capability.