Exploring Flow generation with images

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated August 7, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Exploring Flow generation with images

    ServiceNow’s Now Assist enables customers to create flows or subflows in Workflow Studio directly from images. By attaching a detailed image of the flow process, Now Assist generates a flow preview that can be modified and regenerated. This feature helps streamline flow creation by interpreting visual diagrams into functional workflows.

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    Activation and Setup

    The Flow generation with images skill is included in the Now Assist for Creator (snnowcreator) application, which can be installed from the ServiceNow Store. Users configure AI model providers—such as Azure OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Anthropic Claude on AWS—via AI Control Tower and set preferences in the Now Assist Admin console.

    Key Features

    • Multi-step flow or subflow creation: Build complex workflows from images with supported triggers and actions automatically configured with data pill values.
    • Supported trigger types: Includes Scheduled triggers, Record triggers (Created, Created or Updated, Updated), Service Level Agreement triggers, Inbound email triggers, and Service Catalog triggers. Text directions can specify these triggers.
    • Use of standard flow design patterns: The system recognizes typical flowchart shapes and conventions to accurately interpret flow logic.
    • AI model integration: Supports multiple large language models, with configurable options to best suit organizational needs.

    Guidelines for Effective Flow Generation

    • Use clear, high-resolution images: Ensure shapes, text, and arrows are distinct to optimize AI interpretation.
    • Keep diagrams simple: Avoid overcrowding; break complex processes into smaller flows or subflows.
    • Follow standard symbols: Use common flowchart conventions (e.g., rectangles for steps, diamonds for decisions) for clarity.
    • Clear and consistent labeling: Step names, labels, and annotations should be legible and uniform.
    • Start with triggers: Clearly indicate flow triggers first, followed by actions and logic in the desired sequence.
    • Explicit decision points: Mark yes/no branches clearly to avoid ambiguity.
    • Modular approach: Prefer generating multiple subflows via separate images for easier management and reuse in Workflow Studio.

    Benefits

    This capability accelerates flow development by converting visual diagrams into working workflows, reduces manual configuration, and supports standard design patterns to ensure consistency. It empowers customers to efficiently translate business processes into automated workflows using AI assistance.

    Create a flow or a subflow from an image by using Now Assist. Capture the detailed process in an image and attach the image to Workflow Studio. Now Assist generates a preview of the flow that you can modify and regenerate.

    Activation

    The skill Flow generation with images is installed with the Now Assist for Creator (sn_now_creator) application. You can install this application from the ServiceNow Store website.

    Benefits

    Enable flow generation with images to gain these benefits.
    • Build a multi-step flow or subflow from an image in Workflow Studio. Supported triggers and actions are configured with appropriate data pill values.
    • Use standard flow design patterns.

    Supported LLMs

    You can use Azure OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Anthropic Claude on AWS as the AI model provider for Now Assist skills and AI agents. Use the Configuration Controls in AI Control Tower to define which options are available, then set the skill-level preferences in the Now Assist Admin console. For more information, see Large language models on the ServiceNow AI Platform®.

    Supported trigger types

    Flow generation supports a limited number of trigger types. You can use text directions to specify these trigger types.
    • Scheduled triggers
    • Record triggers
      • Created
      • Created or Updated
      • Updated
    • Service Level Agreements triggers
    • Inbound email triggers
    • Service Catalog triggers

    General guidelines

    Follow these general guidelines when generating a flow or subflow from an image by using Now Assist.

    Use clear images
    Use high resolution images with clear shapes, text, and arrows. Avoid using blurred screenshots and images of unclear whiteboard diagrams.
    Keep it simple
    Don't overload the diagram with excessive nodes. Break complex flows into smaller flows or subflows.
    Use standard symbols
    Stick to the common flow chart notions so that AI can interpret the structure accurately. For example, rectangle for steps and diamond for decisions.
    Use clear and consistent labeling
    Ensure that the step names, labels, and annotations are legible and consistent across the image.
    Start with triggers
    Clearly indicate the flow trigger first, followed by actions and flow logic in the same order that you want them to be in the flow. Clearly indicate the expected outcome to avoid ambiguity.
    Show decision points explicitly
    Use clearly marked yes/no decision branches.
    Use modular approach
    Instead of generating one large and complex flow, generate multiple subflows through separate images and use them together in Workflow Studio.