---
sourceDocument: Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform user interface
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/xanadu/platform-user-interface

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform user interface

ft:clusterId :

    - platux

bundleId :

    - platux

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Configure a base template

# Configure a base template {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

An easy way to create a base template is to copy the existing ESS sample site and
customize it to suit your own needs. You can also configure a base template from
scratch.

## Before you begin

Role required: content_admin or admin

## About this task

Follow these steps to create a single base page and generate all important components
within the site.

## Procedure

1. Design a layout.  
   Regardless of the interface, a site can be distilled into a few simple layouts.
2. Create a theme.  
   The theme defines the structure of the layouts in CSS and the base styles, such as fonts and colors. For more information, see [Design themes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8CeMyTff6QZa6syZwqlOFA "Design themes are the convergence of structure and styling, making them a critical tool for creating a powerful user interface.").
3. Build the common blocks.  
   Pages are composed of content blocks. Most content blocks are reused on multiple pages. For the base template, create basic blocks such as a header, side navigation, and some basic content for the main content area of the page. More detailed content can be added later, but define content for reuse on many of the site pages here. For more information, see [Content blocks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/10IBm6HPSkM1sg4lE0xKOg "A block is a defined piece of content within the system that can be reused.").
4. Build a site entry page.  
   Use the common content blocks you just created to design the first page that users see when they enter the site. For more information, see [Create a content page](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/q1TDqK2dga0B6DQ5zLq27Q "Pages are built from content blocks and organized into sites.").
5. Build a detail page.  
   Design the detail pages to determine how pages such as knowledge articles, catalog items, and search results are displayed. You can build a detail page by copying the site entry page and adding additional content blocks. For more information, see [Copy a page](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hw9ZdrimmxMCtv47DfMmAA "Copying pages is an efficient way to avoid duplicating the same work and to create pages quickly from a guiding base template.").
6. Assign the pages created to the new site.  
   Create the site and apply the layout and theme to the site defaults. Then, navigate to the All Pages list and specify the base template site in the Site column for each of the base template pages. For more information, see [Create a site](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/5v~9UTT7ZM6RmnECJvR05g "Configure a site by either creating a new site with CMS or by editing a copy of either the ESS Portal or the Service Management Portal.").