---
sourceDocument: Zurich Release Notes
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/release-notes

 Release :

    - zurich

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Zurich Release Notes

ft:clusterId :

    - rn

bundleId :

    - rn


---

# Build Agent release notes

# Build Agent release notes {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Zurich  
Updated August 3, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 9 minutes to read
Summarize  
![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI  
This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.  

## Summary of Build Agent release notes

The ServiceNow® Build Agent application in the Zurich release empowers developers to create, edit, and deploy full-stack applications and metadata using a conversational interface.
It integrates deeply with ServiceNow Studio and supports various AI models and metadata types, enhancing application development efficiency.
The Build Agent features are now part of the ServiceNow Otto® brand, reflecting the platform's evolving AI-driven capabilities.
Show full answer Show less  

## Key Features

* **Integration in ServiceNow Studio:** Build Agent is accessible within ServiceNow Studio, allowing app building in a consolidated environment with contextual launch support for easier context specification.
* **Expanded Model and Metadata Support:** Supports multiple AI models including Gemini 3.5, Google GPT 5.5, Azure OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, and Sonnet versions. Metadata support has been broadened to include assignment rules, forms, data policies, email integration, UI components, and more.
* **Automated Testing Enhancements:** The Test Agent within Build Agent automatically maintains Automated Test Framework (ATF) tests by updating or removing outdated ones, supports UI testing that covers multi-step browser interactions, and enables test execution from the ServiceNow SDK.
* **Custom Skills and Rules:** Developers can create custom skills and rules to control Build Agent's behavior at instance, application, or user levels for consistent session handling.
* **Background Script Execution:** Server-side scripts can be run as part of app-building flows with approval prompts to review scripts before execution.
* **Conversation Handoff:** Seamlessly continue app building in Build Agent from ServiceNow Otto conversations without repeating context, with full transcript availability.
* **Sandbox Usage:** Build Agent supports use in Developer Sandboxes to isolate development while granting admin access to developers.
* **Web Search and External Content Access:** New web search tools allow searching and fetching public web content directly within Build Agent.
* **Checkpoint and Update Set Management:** Changes from Build Agent and manual edits are tracked in update sets with human-readable names, facilitating review and rollback.
* **Semantic Search:** Enables discovery of instance artifacts based on meaning, improving navigation and editing efficiency.
* **UI Validation Tool:** Validates UI output during app creation using Playwright-based checks, with diagnostic feedback integrated into the Build Agent panel.
* **Expanded File Type Support:** Supports uploading images, documents, text, and code files to describe app requirements.
* **Enhanced MCP Server Support:** Connect and manage external Model Context Protocol servers within Build Agent and ServiceNow Studio.

## Key Outcomes

* **Streamlined Development Workflow:** Developers can build and test applications conversationally within ServiceNow Studio, reducing context switching and improving productivity.
* **Improved Test Suite Maintenance:** Automated synchronization and generation of ATF tests help keep testing aligned with ongoing app changes, supporting quality assurance.
* **Customization and Consistency:** Custom skills and rules allow tailored behavior of Build Agent sessions, ensuring consistent application of development policies and practices.
* **Better Change Management:** Consolidated update sets and checkpoints simplify change tracking, review, and deployment processes.
* **Access to Rich External and Instance Data:** Integrated web search and semantic instance artifact search facilitate informed development using relevant data sources.
* **Greater Flexibility and Control:** Background script execution with approval and sandbox environment support provide secure and controlled development capabilities.
* **Aligned with ServiceNow Otto Brand:** The rebranding to ServiceNow Otto reflects enhanced AI capabilities without affecting existing entitlements.  
The ServiceNow®
Build Agent application enables developers to create, edit, and deploy full-stack applications and metadata through a conversational interface. Build Agent was enhanced and updated in the Zurich release, and its Now Assist features have been rebranded to ServiceNow Otto®.

## Build Agent highlights for the Zurich release {#build-agent-rn__build-agent-rn-highlights}

* Use Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio.
* Work with additional Model Context Protocol (MCP) support.
* Create apps and newly supported metadata in the global scope.
* Choose from newly supported models.
* Search external content without leaving Build Agent.
{#build-agent-rn__ul_drj_1lt_t3c}

See [Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US) for more information.{#build-agent-rn__build-agent-rn-highlights-2}

## New in the Zurich release {#build-agent-rn__build-agent-rn-new-features}

**[Zurich Patch 12](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/nFEzte~_Oj3p5oe_IOj~iw "The Zurich Patch 12 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[Automatic test maintenance](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-testing&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Test Agent in Build Agent automatically updates or removes Automated Test Framework tests that are outdated as your application changes, keeping the test suite aligned with the current state of your code. UI tests don't run automatically during updates, because they can
    take additional time and interrupt the development flow. To automatically keep tests synced, you must enable the new Sync ATF tests with app setting in Build Agent.

[UI testing](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-testing&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Generate comprehensive UI tests for applications you build with Build Agent. UI testing extends the existing functional test capability to cover browser-level interactions, such as multi-step page navigation flows. To run UI tests automatically on update, you must
    enable the Run UI ATF tests setting in Test Agent.  
    Note:  
    You can also prompt Build Agent to generate UI tests.

[Get prompted to test](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-testing&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   After each development action, Build Agent can prompt you to generate ATF tests for what you just built. Accept or decline the prompt at each step to keep test coverage in sync with your development work.  
    Note:  
    You must enable getting prompted to test in the Build Agent settings.

[SDK test execution](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-testing&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Execute ATF tests from the ServiceNow SDK. Test execution and troubleshooting were previously available only in ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE.

[Updated model support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-models-versions&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   The following new models are supported for Build Agent:

    * Gemini 3.5 is now the default model for Google
    * GPT 5.5 is now the default model for Azure OpenAI
    * Opus 4.8
    {#build-agent-rn__ul_fnn_sld_xjc}

[Change model version in chat](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-models-versions&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Change the AI model versions in Build Agent without navigating out to the table on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

[Define custom skills and rules](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-configure-custom-skills-rules&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Create custom skills and rules to control how Build Agent behaves during a session.

    * Custom rules are injected into the system prompt on every run, so Build Agent behaves consistently at the scope you choose.
    * Custom skills provide internal guidelines for specific tasks. You can apply skills and rules at the instance level, application level, or user level.
    {#build-agent-rn__ul_brn_vjj_xjc}

[Background script execution](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-tools&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Run server-side scripts as part of app-building flows in Build Agent using the new run script and rollback script tools. Before a script runs, an approval prompt shows the generated script, its stated intent, and the target application scope so you can review
    the operation before approving.

[Conversation handoff to Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=access-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Build applications by receiving context from ServiceNow Otto (formerly Now Assist) conversations and continuing work in Build Agent without repeating yourself. The full conversation transcript is attached to the session so you can reference details beyond the summary. Conversation handoff is available only in ServiceNow Studio.

[Use Build Agent in a sandbox](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=access-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Use Build Agent in Developer Sandboxes to isolate development and provide admin access to developers in a protected environment.

[View MCP tools per server](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=accelerate-design-to-development-with-figma-mcp-server&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   View the list of tools available on each connected MCP server in the Build Agent settings panel.

[Knowledge base access metadata support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-supported-metadata&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Work with the knowledge base access metadata type in Build Agent.

**[Zurich Patch 11](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/JQLHTFYdMq84dtlOmcoOXA "The Zurich Patch 11 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[Web search tool](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-tools&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Access public web content from Build Agent using two new search tools. Use the web search tool to find information on the public web, and use the web fetch tool to retrieve content from a URL that you supply.

[Consolidated update sets](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-update-sets&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Track changes generated by Build Agent and manual edits in update sets for checkpointing and rollback. Update sets can be merged into a single update set before deployment. All changes to your application are captured in the same
    scope, making it easier to review what was modified and merge updates to other environments.

[Expanded metadata support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-supported-metadata&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Work with more metadata types in Build Agent, which now supports connection and credential alias, data lookup, playbooks, rest message/HTTP method, and user criteria.

**[Zurich Patch 10](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OlHc11_MRcY8df829R0AoA "The Zurich Patch 10 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[MCP server support in ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-connct-mcp-server&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Connect Build Agent to external MCP servers in ServiceNow Studio. Previously, MCP server connectivity was only available in the ServiceNow IDE.

[Additional MCP server integrations](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=accelerate-design-to-development-with-figma-mcp-server&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Integrate Build Agent with newly supported MCP servers.

[Access update sets from Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-update-sets&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   View update sets created by Build Agent from within the chat panel in ServiceNow Studio. Each checkpoint includes a button that opens the relevant update set in a new tab.

[UI validation tool in ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-tools&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Validate user interface output during app creation with the UI validation tool in Build Agent, available in ServiceNow Studio.

[Search retrieval tool support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-about-creating-in-app-agents&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Use the Search retrieval tool to enable agents to fetch and present relevant information from configured data sources in response to user queries. Agents can retrieve knowledge articles, catalog items, and other indexed
    content directly within the agentic workflow, reducing the need for users to navigate to separate search interfaces.

[Support for more file types](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-supported-file-types&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Upload more types of files to Build Agent to describe what you want to build, including images, documents, and text and code files.

[Expanded metadata support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-supported-metadata&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Work with more metadata types in Build Agent, which now supports assignment rules, forms, and data policies.

**[Zurich Patch 9](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/x_b0P655TcDvCV8lE9Ir8g "The Zurich Patch 9 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[MCP Client integration](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-connct-mcp-server&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Connect Build Agent to external MCP servers to bring tools and data sources directly into your build workflow. External resources participate alongside Build Agent on the ServiceNow AI Platform, which reduces the need to switch between tools and transfer data manually.

[Create agentic workflows, agents, and skills](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=create-custom-ai-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Turn business requirements into fully configured agents, skills, and agentic workflows for your custom applications. Build Agent inspects the existing tables, roles, business rules, and metadata in your app to create tailored in-app agents and tools.

[Test Agent for Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-testing&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Use Test Agent to execute Automated Test Framework (ATF) tests right from the Build Agent chat panel for test artifacts created in the same session. When tests fail, the generated tests and test results are saved in the standard ATF record tables and can be scheduled for continued
    regression testing for the app. If Test Agent modifies tests during troubleshooting, those changes are automatically saved to the test records.

[UI validation tool](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exploring-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Validate user interface output during Build Agent app creation in the ServiceNow IDE using the integrated UI validation. UI validation runs Playwright-based UI checks on Cloud Runner and surfaces failures with diagnostic context directly in the Build Agent panel.

[Semantic search for instance artifact discovery](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-tools&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Use semantic search in Build Agent to locate relevant instance artifacts, including tables, scripts, and business rules during build and edit tasks. Find files, applications, and knowledge on your instance based on meaning
    instead of exact keywords.

[Additional model support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exploring-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Choose the provider and model that fits your organizational needs in Build Agent, which now supports Anthropic Claude on AWS Sonnet 4.6 and Azure OpenAI GPT 5.4.

[Expanded metadata support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-supported-metadata&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Work with more metadata types in Build Agent, which now supports flows, Service Catalog configurations, inbound email actions, dictionary overrides, choice lists, condition builder query conditions, and enhanced Service Portal capabilities.

[Contextual launch for Build Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=access-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Include context from ServiceNow Studio tabs and component preview screens when you open Build Agent. Context helps reduce the need to manually search for and specify context in the chat panel.

**[Zurich Patch 8](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~gO9GEmW74xbdJlS67m0Mg "The Zurich Patch 8 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[Additional metadata support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-supported-metadata&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Work with more metadata types in Build Agent, which now supports email.

**Zurich Early Availability**
[Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-in-servicenow-studio&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Access Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio to build apps conversationally in a consolidated development environment.

[Improved LLM support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exploring-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Use AWS Claude Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.5 in Build Agent for contextual conversations.

[New metadata support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-supported-metadata&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Work with more metadata types, as Build Agent now supports the following:

    * Email integration
    * List controls
    * Service Catalog items
    * UI components
    * UI policies
    * UI views
    * Workspaces
    {#build-agent-rn__ul_gz5_zpz_t3c}

## UI changes {#build-agent-rn__build-agent-rn-ui-changes}

**[Zurich Patch 12](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/nFEzte~_Oj3p5oe_IOj~iw "The Zurich Patch 12 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[Organized settings with tabs](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-configure-settings&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Find Build Agent easier now that the Settings panel has tabs: General, Skills, Rules, and MCP.

**[Zurich Patch 10](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OlHc11_MRcY8df829R0AoA "The Zurich Patch 10 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[New button prompt to add AI to an app](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=create-a-new-application-using-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   A new Add AI button when you first open the Build Agent chat panel starts a guided conversation to help you define and generate a skill or agent.  
    Note:  
    You must have a ServiceNow Otto for Creator license for the new button to appear.

[Open Build Agent from ServiceNow Studio banner](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=access-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   A new icon in the ServiceNow Studio application banner provides another way to access Build Agent.

**[Zurich Patch 9](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/x_b0P655TcDvCV8lE9Ir8g "The Zurich Patch 9 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[Generated artifact preview](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=edit-an-existing-application-using-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Preview generated tables, flows, and scripts that Build Agent creates in ServiceNow Studio so you can review and approve changes inline before saving or committing them to the application.

## Changed in this release {#build-agent-rn__build-agent-rn-changed-features}

**[Zurich Patch 12](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/nFEzte~_Oj3p5oe_IOj~iw "The Zurich Patch 12 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[ServiceNow Otto rebrand](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exploring-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   ServiceNow Otto is the new AI experience brand. This change is reflected in the name of ServiceNow products, including Build Agent. Your product entitlements remain unchanged. Check your entitlements to determine your access to specific features.

[Licensing change for in-app agents and skills](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-about-creating-in-app-agents&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Only users with Build Agent - Prime can create agents and skills.

**[Zurich Patch 11](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/JQLHTFYdMq84dtlOmcoOXA "The Zurich Patch 11 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[Improved checkpoint and update set management](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ba-conversational-change-log&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Build Agent handles checkpoints and update sets differently in the following ways:

    * Checkpoint 0 no longer creates an update set.
    * Checkpoint 1 is the base update set for all subsequent changes.
    * Update sets use human-readable naming.
    {#build-agent-rn__ul_zqn_nsb_qjc}

[Enhanced semantic metadata search tool](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=build-agent-tools&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   An updated semantic metadata search tool improves performance replaces the previous semantic search tool.

**[Zurich Patch 8](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~gO9GEmW74xbdJlS67m0Mg "The Zurich Patch 8 release contains important problem fixes.")**
[Build Agent version parity for PDIs](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exploring-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Personal development instances (PDIs) are now updated to match the latest Build Agent version, delivering a consistent experience across both personal and production-track instances. Developers testing and building on PDIs have access to the same capabilities available in
    production environments.

[Updated interaction limits](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exploring-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   To provide developers more room to iterate, the following Build Agent limits have been increased:

    * Build Agent (Trial): 100 prompts per instance per 30-day cycle
    * PDIs: 25 prompts per instance per cycle

    {#build-agent-rn__ul_d2d_vcr_x3c}  
    Note:  
    Limits are per-instance, not per-user. Only submitted prompts contribute to the limit. Plan approvals are not counted.

**Zurich Early Availability**
[Support for global scope](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exploring-build-agent&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Build apps and metadata in the global scope.

## Activation information {#build-agent-rn__build-agent-rn-activation}

Build Agent is a ServiceNow AI Platform feature that is active by default.  
Note:  
Build Agent is dependent on ServiceNow Otto for Creator. For more information, see [ServiceNow Otto for Creator release notes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/heMGpolVnFM5SJlcdar3ZQ "The ServiceNow ServiceNow Otto for Creator application includes generative AI skills that can help you develop on the ServiceNow AI Platform efficiently. ServiceNow Otto for Creator was enhanced and updated in the Zurich release.").

## Related ServiceNow applications and features {#build-agent-rn__build-agent-rn-related-apps}

[ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=servicenow-studio-landing&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Use ServiceNow Studio to build, configure, and deploy custom ServiceNow apps from a single development environment.

[ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=servicenow-ide-landing&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Create and develop scoped applications in source code in an integrated development environment (IDE) on the ServiceNow AI Platform to improve collaboration across development teams and accelerate application development.

:   Access generative AI skills and AI agents that can help you develop on the ServiceNow AI Platform efficiently.

[Agentic development on the ServiceNow AI Platform](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=vibe-coding-landing&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US)
:   Use vibe coding and ServiceNow agentic-assisted app building tools to describe your goals in natural language to generate full-stack applications, workflows, and integrations on the ServiceNow AI Platform.