Create a custom theme by cloning a Theme Builder theme record

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
  • Create a custom theme in the Next Experience more efficiently using a published Theme Builder theme record.

    Before you begin

    In order to clone a Theme Builder theme, the theme must be published. For information on publishing your Theme Builder theme, see Publish your themes with Theme Builder.

    Role required: admin

    About this task

    To avoid your work from being overwritten, your new cloned theme isn’t editable in Theme Builder.

    Procedure

    1. Navigate to All > Now Experience Framework > Themes.
      The UX Themes table appears.
    2. Under the Name column, search for the Theme Builder theme you want to clone and select the record.
    3. Clone the five UX Theme style records.
      1. From the Compositional: App Theme tab, select and hold (or right-click) the Mobile Colors style record and select Open link in new tab.
      2. In the Name field, enter your theme name.
        For example, ABC Company - Mobile Colors.
      3. Select and hold (or right-click) the header bar and select Insert and Stay.
        This action creates a copy of the style record and redirects the information to the new style record.
        Figure 1. Cloned Mobile Colors style record
        Cloned Mobile Colors style record with Insert and Stay option selected.
      4. Close the open tab.
      5. Repeat this process for the Shape and Form, Colors, Imagery, and Typography style records.
      Note:
      The cloned style records don’t appear in the current theme record and this behavior is expected.
    4. Clone the UX theme record.
      1. From the Name field, change the name of the theme record.
        For example, Custom ABC Company.
      2. Select and hold (or right-click) the header bar and select Insert and Stay.
        Your new UX theme record appears. The style records within this theme are empty and this behavior is expected.
        Figure 2. Newly created UX Theme record
        Newly created UX Theme record.
    5. Add the newly created style records to your theme.
      1. Double-click under the Style column to expose the lookup field.
      2. Search for and select one of your new style records from the drop-down.
      3. Save your selection by selecting the green checkmark.
      4. Double-click under the Type column to expose the drop-down list and select Core.
        Figure 3. Style Type drop-down list
        Style Type drop-down list with Core option selected.
      5. Save your selection by selecting the green checkmark.

        This action associates your style record to the current theme.

      6. Repeat this process for the remaining four style records.
      7. Select and hold (or right-click) the header bar and select Save.
        If the changes haven't been saved, green bars are displayed next to the style records that you have added.
        Figure 4. UX Theme record before the record is saved
        UX Theme record before the record is saved.
    6. Publish your custom theme.
      To publish your custom theme, see Publish multiple themes in Next Experience.
      Now that your custom theme is published, you’re ready to customize your theme. For a step-by-step tutorial for editing your UX Style color record, see Exercise 3, Activity 2 and 3 of the Next Experience Workshop in the ServiceNow Community.