Generate apps in ServiceNow Studio

Use the app generation skill to build an application in ServiceNow Studio by describing your business process in a conversation with Now Assist.

Starting with the Australia release, app generation is being prepared for future deprecation. It will be hidden and no longer activated on new instances but will continue to be supported. Build Agent provides the latest experience for this functionality. For more information, see Build Agent.

This video shows you how to perform the following procedure.

Before you begin

To use app generation, enable the skill in the Now Assist Admin console. For more information, see Turn on the app generation skill.

Role required: now_assist_panel_user

Note:

To edit (not create) apps, assign users the delegated_developer or now_assist_panel_user role.

About this task

When the app generation skill is turned on, the Now Assist icon () appears on the home page banner.

Procedure

1. Open the Now Assist panel by navigating to App Engine > ServiceNow Studio and selecting the Now Assist icon.

   

2. In the Now Assist panel, select Create an app.
   Now Assist asks you to describe your application.
3. Describe your current business process.

   Include your application's use case so that Now Assist understands the purpose of your application. Provide detailed requirements if you have them, or start with a broad description so that Now Assist can help narrow down your application's requirements.

   

4. Provide details about how you want the app to work.

   Now Assist asks questions to understand the data to be collected, the users involved and their permissions, and the desired interface. Your answers help Now Assist create the correct tables, roles, access control lists (ACLs), forms, and record producers for your application. You can also ask Now Assist to create a workspace (user interface) and flow (automation) for your application.

   If you know exactly how you want your app to work, be specific about its functionality. If you do not, describe what you know and collaborate with Now Assist to determine the correct application requirements. For more information, see General guidelines for using app generation.

   

5. Preview, finalize, and then generate the app.
   1. If necessary, select Make changes to continue editing.

      

      Continue the conversation with Now Assist until the summary matches your application's requirements.
   2. When the application requirements are accurate, select Preview app.

      

      The preview opens and displays a list of app files. Filter the app files list and narrow the search as needed. Select any app file to view details. For example, select a role to see if it grants users create, read, write, or delete permissions. If your app contains a record producer, select it to see the form and fields. As you continue previewing and requesting updates with Now Assist, changes such as adding a new role appear as the preview pane loads.

      

      Note:

      Workspaces and flows depend on tables, so these application features are generated after tables and when you save the application.

      

      Note:

      If the Now Assist panel is covering information, select the Now Assist icon to close the panel. Select the icon again to open the panel and continue the conversation.

      When you finish previewing, select an option:

      

      • Save files and open app generates the app and opens it in ServiceNow Studio for you to review and edit. If you included workspaces (user interface) or flows (automation) in your application, their metadata is generated when you save the application.
      • Make changes continues the conversation with Now Assist so you can refine and edit the app. The app preview updates after Now Assist applies your changes.
      • Discard and start over deletes the current app and resets the conversation in the Now Assist panel.

      For more information about ServiceNow Studio, see ServiceNow Studio.

Result

Use the tools in ServiceNow Studio to add more features and enhance your app. For more information, see Create an application in ServiceNow Studio and Create an app file in ServiceNow Studio.

• Add a workspace to a custom application with app generation
  Add a workspace to a custom application by asking Now Assist. Describe what you want in the workspace, or ask Now Assist for recommendations.
• Add a flow to a custom application with app generation
  Add a flow to a custom application by asking Now Assist. Describe what you want the flow to do, or ask Now Assist for suggestions.
• Review and edit applications built using app generation
  After app generation creates an application, review and modify it in ServiceNow Studio to verify accuracy and extend functionality.