Application Repository for self-hosted, air-gapped customers

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Application Repository for self-hosted, air-gapped customers

    Self-hosted and air-gapped ServiceNow customers do not have direct access to the public ServiceNow® Store and its application repository, limiting their ability to use advanced application development features. The Application Repository scoped application provides these customers with a private, internal repository installed within their own network, enabling the use of the latest application development capabilities without connecting to external networks.

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    “Air-gapped” environments refer to systems completely isolated from outside network connections, requiring alternative methods to transfer data and install applications.

    Recommended Installation

    It is advised to install the Application Repository on a dedicated instance solely for repository purposes. This approach minimizes load on other instances and enhances the performance of installing applications from the repository. Once installed, other networked instances within the private environment can publish and install application artifacts through this repository instance.

    Acquiring and Setting Up the Application

    Self-hosted, air-gapped customers should contact their ServiceNow account representative before installation. The representative coordinates with ServiceNow Support and the customer team to facilitate the installation process and provide guidance on requesting Store applications in an on-premises environment.

    Instances authenticate to the repository through a one-time “pairing” process that securely stores instance credentials server-side. After pairing, instances can fully interact with the repository’s application development features internally.

    This application feature enables self-hosted customers to use their own internal application repository just as cloud customers do. These customers don’t install the Application Repository via the ServiceNow® Store; they use an alternative method.

    Overview of Application Repository for self-hosted

    Customers whose instances are hosted on the ServiceNow® cloud have access to an application repository by default via the public ServiceNow® Store. However, self-hosted and air-gapped customers don’t have such access, and thus can’t take advantage of advanced application development features.

    Warning:
    Most customers install applications through their networks from the ServiceNow® Store. This topic covers customers who aren’t using networked sources.

    The term "air-gapped" refers to the condition when a computer or network has no network interfaces, either wired or wireless, connected to any outside networks. When you want to move data from one source to another, you must use an alternative method. To move data between sources that aren’t on a network, you must use an alternative such as the one described in this topic.

    The ServiceNow® Application Repository is a scoped application that can be installed on a customer instance, and enables usage of the latest application development features inside their own private network without the need to communicate with external networks.

    Recommended installation

    It is recommended to install the Application Repository on a dedicated instance used only for that purpose. Installing in this way reduces the load on other instances from other transactions and improves the experience of installing other Store applications. After you have successfully installed the application, other networked client instances can publish and install application artifacts to and from this instance.

    Acquiring the application

    Before attempting to install the application, ServiceNow self-hosted "air-gapped" customers should reach out to their account representative. They will work with Support and your team to set up the installation process. To learn more, see the Knowledge Base article, How On-Prem customers can request a Store App.

    How the setup process works

    Instances are authenticated with the repository via a “pairing” process that stores instance credentials on the server-side, and needs to be done only once per instance. After an instance is “paired” with the repository, it can start interacting with the repository via its various application development features.