Combined Theme Builder release notes for upgrades from Washington DC to Xanadu

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated May 4, 2026
  • 6 minutes to read
  • Consolidated page of all release notes for Theme Builder from Washington DC to Xanadu.

    How to use this page

    To help you prepare for your upgrade, we have combined the cross-family Theme Builder release notes onto one page. Read this summary of the new features, changes, and updated information for your product from Washington DC to Xanadu.

    Tip:
    If there were no updates for a release notes section in a certain family release, we included a short note for your reference. For example, if a product did not have any updates in Tokyo, the row says "No updates for this release."

    Important information for upgrading Theme Builder to Xanadu

    Before you upgrade to Xanadu, review these pre- and post-upgrade tasks and complete the tasks as needed.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    No updates for this release.

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    New features

    Between your current release family and Xanadu, new features were introduced for Theme Builder.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    Component editing
    Edit individual components to better suit your brand and to meet accessibility compliance standards. The theme hooks you can edit are specific to each type of component. For more information, see the Accessibility Information section that follows.
    New feature messaging
    Learn about new features via a what's new modal when you first launch the updated version of Theme Builder.
    Open in Theme Builder button
    As of version 3.1, while customizing a UX theme record, an Open in Theme Builder button displays redirecting you to the editor page in a new tab.
    Validation of JSON code for the theme records you create
    As of version 3.1, Theme Builder logs errors and displays an alert for any invalid manual theming updates, helping to prevent saving an incorrect theme record.
    Customize shape and topography values
    As of version 3.1, view your customizations in the Global and Component style tabs.

    Xanadu

    Publish multiple themes with Theme Builder
    Publish multiple themes with their alternate color palettes to your web instance. Set a default theme for your users.
    Add a dark alternate color palette
    Add a dark alternate color palette to your Theme Builder theme. You can edit this alternate color palette to further enhance your brand style.
    Set the presentation order of your themes in Next Experience
    Define the presentation order of the themes that are displayed in the ServiceNow® Next Experience user preferences.
    Select from multiple themes in Next Experience user preferences
    View multiple themes and their alternate color palettes in Next Experience user preferences.
    Set the presentation order of your Theme Builder themes
    As of Theme Builder version 4.1, you can control the order in which the themes created with Theme Builder appear in Next Experience user preferences by using the List view within the Manager page.
    Remove Global Style overrides
    As of Theme Builder version 4.1, you can remove any overrides that you made to Global Styles and return to your initial values by using the Remove Override button.
    Use drag-and-drop to publish and unpublish your themes
    As of Theme Builder version 4.1, use the drag-and-drop feature in the List view to publish and unpublish your themes for your web instance.
    Adjust a component to meet accessibility standards
    As of Theme Builder version 4.1, the Accessibility Inspector now displays the total number of accessibility errors in your theme and lists the specific components with contrast issues. See the Accessibility section for details.

    Changes

    Between your current release family and Xanadu, some changes were made to existing Theme Builder features.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    No updates for this release.

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Removed

    Between your current release family and Xanadu, some Theme Builder features or functionality were removed.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    No updates for this release.

    Xanadu

    • Removed the Apply button used to apply your theme to web and mobile instances. To publish your theme, use the Publish option from the theme card overflow menu. For more information about publishing themes, see Publish your themes with Theme Builder.

    Deprecations

    Between your current release family and Xanadu, some Theme Builder features or functionality were deprecated.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    No updates for this release.

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Activation information

    Review information on how to activate Theme Builder.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    Install Theme Builder by requesting it from the ServiceNow Store. Visit the ServiceNow Store website to view all the available apps and for information about submitting requests to the store. For cumulative release notes information for all released apps, see the ServiceNow Store version history release notes.

    Xanadu

    Install Theme Builder by requesting it from the ServiceNow Store. Visit the ServiceNow Store website to view all the available apps and for information about submitting requests to the store. For cumulative release notes information for all released apps, see the ServiceNow Store version history release notes.
    Note:
    As of Theme Builder version 4.1, you see when a new Theme Builder update is available from within the Editor page view.

    Additional requirements

    If any additional requirements were introduced or changed for Theme Builder we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    No updates for this release.

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Browser requirements

    If any specific browser requirements were introduced or changed for Theme Builder we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    No updates for this release.

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Accessibility information

    Review details on accessibility information for Theme Builder, such as specific requirements or compliance levels.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    Adjust components to meet accessibility standards
    Use new Accessibility checker capabilities to ensure you're meeting conformant color contrast levels as you apply your own brand and colors to your web or mobile instance. See Adjust components to meet accessibility standards for details.

    Xanadu

    Accessibility improvements for Theme Builder include the following updates:
    • Added a dark alternate color palette that makes the display easier for your eyes and less disturbing in low-light settings is available for creation. For more information, see Add an alternate color palette.
    • Updated modal when you publish a theme group for your web instance. A warning appears if there’s an accessibility error within the base theme or the theme's alternate color palettes. A link within the modal navigates you to the correct theme or alternate color palette with accessibility errors.
    • Improved Accessibility Inspector detects and guides you through fixing accessibility issues in your theme. This tool includes the total number of violations and a list of specific components with accessibility issues. For more information, see Adjust a component to meet accessibility standards.
    • Updated reflow feature ensures the content within the Component Editor view automatically adjusts when the screen size is reduced. This improvement eliminates the need for horizontal scrolling.

    Localization information

    If there are specific localization considerations for Theme Builder we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    No updates for this release.

    Xanadu

    No updates for this release.

    Highlight information

    If there are specific highlight considerations for Theme Builder we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Washington DC

    • Edit individual components to better suit your brand and to meet accessibility compliance standards.
    • Work with component-specific theme hooks to create a theme tailored to your needs.

    See Working with themes in Next Experience for more information.

    Xanadu

    • Achieve your branding and styling needs by offering multiple themes and alternate color palettes to your users.
    • Add a dark alternate color palette to your newly created themes and edit to refine your theme.
    • As of Theme Builder version 4.1, receive notifications about updates directly from the Theme Builder application.
    • As of Theme Builder version 4.1, organize your themes by priority, purpose, or other criteria, by using the drag-and-drop feature in the List view. With this feature, you can publish and order the themes that are displayed in the Next Experience Theme user preference.

    See Working with themes in Next Experience for more information.