{"revision":"c10276e953456835cdbb1f3a60d58ae1980be353","document":{"id":2154,"path":"application-development/exploring-build-agent.md","title":"Exploring Build Agent","bundle":null,"doc_type":null,"release":"australia","body":"\n# Exploring Build Agent\n\nBuild Agent enables developers to create, edit, and deploy full-stack ServiceNow® applications to update sets that encompass both user interface and back-end components.\n\nAs of Australia Patch 5, 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.\n\n## Build Agent overview\n\nBuild Agent is an AI tool designed for developers within ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow Integrated Development Environment \\(ServiceNow IDE\\). Build Agent acts as an autonomous AI agent capable of independently generating a complete ServiceNow® scoped or global application. For example, a global scope app that uses tables such as incident, problem, and change.\n\n## Migrating to Build Agent from App Engine Studio\n\nIf you currently build applications in App Engine Studio \\(AES\\), you can migrate to Build Agent when your development needs grow beyond what AES supports. For example, when you need custom scripting, global scope applications, or the ability to modify base system applications. Existing app artifacts like tables, flows, workspaces, and ACLs are already accessible in ServiceNow Studio, so migration is primarily a workflow adjustment rather than a conversion process. For more information, see [Migrating to Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/app-engine-studio/aes-migrating-to-build-agent.md).\n\n## Conversational interface\n\nUsing the chat panel within ServiceNow Studio or the ServiceNow IDE, you can interact with Build Agent through an easy-to-use multi-turn conversation interface. You can also ask it general questions about developing on the ServiceNow AI Platform.\n\nAll you have to do is describe an application in natural language, and the agent can then automatically create it. Build Agent generates the necessary code, organizes files clearly, and manages both the core logic and user interface components of the application.\n\nBuild Agent can understand natural language prompts, autonomously generate full-stack applications, oversee the entire build process, respond to feedback, deploy applications to update sets, and more.\n\nBuild Agent is enabled by default to create apps with AI, for example in ServiceNow Studio. To use other ServiceNow Otto products, such as the app generation skill, disable Build Agent. For example, using the setting in your ServiceNow Studio preferences. For more information, see [Use the app generation skill to generate apps](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/servicenow-studio-classic/sns-app-gen-use-app-gen-skill.md).\n\n**Note:** Depending on your license, you will have access to certain application features, generative AI skills, agentic workflows, and AI agents. For more information, see [ServiceNow product tiers](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/intelligent-experiences/ai-native-sku-overview.md).\n\n## Where to use Build Agent\n\nYou can use Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio, including the ServiceNow IDE. For detailed instructions on using Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio, see [Accessing Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/access-build-agent.md) and [Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/servicenow-studio-classic/build-agent-in-servicenow-studio.md).\n\nYou can also use Build Agent in Developer Sandboxes, which provides a controlled baseline configuration for isolated, parallel development. For more information, see [Exploring Developer Sandboxes](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/developer-sandboxes/exploring-sandboxes.md).\n\n## Providing context with file uploads\n\nYou can upload supported file types, such as images, code, and documents, to provide more context about application design and functionality. For more information, see [Supported file types for Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/ba-supported-file-types.md).\n\n## Extended capabilities\n\nWhile creating and updating applications is the primary use case for Build Agent, its capabilities extend beyond that. It can perform various code-related tasks, such as rewriting tables, explaining code, validating and enhancing existing applications, fixing application errors, and more. For instance, Build Agent can use the Run Query tool to query a specific table within your instance and return the top five records or derive specific insights.\n\nTo use Build Agent as part of an end-to-end development practice that includes Git, the ServiceNow SDK, ReleaseOps, and CI/CD pipelines, see the [SDLC on ServiceNow guide](https://servicenow.github.io/sdk/guides/sdlc-guide) in the ServiceNow SDK documentation.\n\n## Playbook Designer support\n\nYou can use Build Agent to author Playbook Designer artifacts. As of Australia Patch 6, including runtime permissions, activity definitions, and Agentic activity field configuration. Playbook records are consolidated into a single XML update set file for consistent deployment across instances. For more information, see [Exploring Playbook](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/build-workflows/process-automation-designer.md).\n\n## ServiceNow Fluent and modern web frameworks\n\nBuild Agent generates code in ServiceNow Fluent, the domain-specific language for developing on the ServiceNow AI Platform. Build Agent can also incorporate modern web frameworks, such as React, when building custom user experiences.\n\n**Important:** Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer only create metadata supported by ServiceNow® Fluent. For more information, see [ServiceNow Fluent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/servicenow-fluent.md). For the latest API reference, see [https://servicenow.github.io/sdk/](https://servicenow.github.io/sdk/)\n\n## Build Agent \\(Trial\\) app overview\n\nBuild Agent is available as a trial app on a freemium model. To install Build Agent \\(Trial\\), visit the [ServiceNow Store](https://www.servicenow.com/products/vibe-coding.html#benefits).\n\nAfter you install the Build Agent \\(Trial\\) app, your instance receives 100 free user interactions for 30 days at no additional charge. The free interactions enable you to explore Build Agent features at no additional cost.\n\nIf you exceed the free interaction limit, you must wait 30 days for a reset, or install the paid version of Build Agent.\n\n## Automatic upgrades\n\nQualifying instances receive automatic upgrades when a new version of Build Agent is published to the ServiceNow Store. For more information, see [Install Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/install-build-agent.md).\n\n## Localization and Build Agent\n\nBuild Agent incorporates the ServiceNow AI Platform localization, so you can use it in any supported language. For more information, see [Localization Framework](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/platform-administration/localization-framework-landing.md).\n\n## How prompts are counted\n\nPrompts are counted each time you submit a message to Build Agent. If Build Agent asks a clarifying question and you respond, that response counts as a prompt. Approving a plan that Build Agent presents does not count as a prompt. To get the most value from each prompt, draft your message in a text editor before you submit it.\n\nFor more information on prompting, see [Example prompts](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-example-prompts.md).\n\n## What apps are in ServiceNow\n\nA ServiceNow app is a package that performs a specific task for a specified group of users. Think of an app as a container with a set of rules around who can access and edit it. For example, ServiceNow apps can include an API, a table, a workspace, a form, a flow, or any combination of those things.\n\n## Enhance applications with agentic experiences\n\nYou can enhance your applications with agentic experiences by using Build Agent.\n\nBuild Agent enables you to create agentic workflows, agents, and skills for your custom applications. Additionally, Build Agent recommends in-app agents tailored to specific use cases.\n\nFor more information, see [Create agentic workflows, agents, and skills](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/create-custom-ai-agent.md).\n\n## Build Agent benefits\n\nBuild Agent accelerates application development on the ServiceNow AI Platform. It helps automate many repetitive and time-consuming tasks that developers previously had to do manually, enabling:\n\n-   Increased developer productivity\n-   Reduced development backlogs\n-   Quicker deployment of new business applications\n-   Reduction in overall development cost\n\n## What to explore next\n\nTo learn more about configuring and using Build Agent, see:\n\n-   [Build Agent configuration](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/configure-build-agent.md)\n-   [Use Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/use-build-agent.md)\n-   [Build Agent reference](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-reference-landing.md)\n-   [Support for regulated markets](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-limitations.md)\n\nTo learn more about prompting, see this Community article on [The fastest way to learn Build Agent prompting? Ask Build Agent.](https://www.servicenow.com/community/now-assist-for-creator-articles/the-fastest-way-to-learn-build-agent-prompting-ask-build-agent/ta-p/3533544)\n\n-   **[Build Agent use cases](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/additional-build-agent-use-cases.md)**  \nUse Build Agent for a wide range of development scenarios beyond application creation, including app analysis, modernization, documentation, governance, and learning assistance.\n-   **[Autonomous Engineer in Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/ba-autonomous-engineer.md)**  \nAutonomous Engineer is an agentic worker that augments product development capacity across the SDLC. It intakes requirements, applies platform best practices through agent packs, and generates an implementation plan before building work items in parallel through Build Agent.\n-   **[Build Agent workflow](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-workflow.md)**  \nThe Build Agent workflow automates building applications, testing, and deploying update sets on the ServiceNow AI Platform. Build Agent streamlines development by handling code compilation, quality checks, and deployment steps without manual intervention.\n-   **[Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer chat panel](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/ba-chat-panel.md)**  \nThe Build Agent chat panel is where you interact with the AI agent during development. Use it to submit requests, review responses, and apply generated code.\n-   **[Supported models and versions](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/ba-models-versions.md)**  \nLearn which AI models and versions Build Agent supports and how to change them. Use this information to verify compatibility and select the right model for your task.\n-   **[Tutorial for Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-tutorial.md)**  \nLearn to develop reusable server-side logic and build a ServiceNow® application in Build Agent, from data modeling through testing, using agentic development.\n-   **[General guidelines for Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-general-guidelines.md)**  \nUse these guidelines to get the most out of Build Agent in your development workflow.\n-   **[Build Agent tools](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-tools.md)**  \nBuild Agent tools support application development tasks such as semantic search, schema inspection, code search, planning, UI validation, database querying, app navigation, and script execution. Each tool extends what Build Agent can do during a build session.\n-   **[Playbook authoring with Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/ba-playbooks.md)**  \nUse Build Agent and Autonomous Engineer to author and manage Playbook Designer artifacts through a conversation. You can generate playbook structures, configure activities, set runtime permissions, and define launcher configurations without manually navigating the Playbook Designer UI.\n-   **[MCP connections and Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/accelerate-design-to-development-with-figma-mcp-server.md)**  \nMCP connections enable Build Agent to access external tools and resources through standardized communication. Use these connections to integrate third-party applications like Figma for accelerated design-to-development workflows.\n-   **[Build Agent governance](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-governance.md)**  \nGovernance controls in Build Agent help with code quality, security, and compliance when generating applications. The Build Agent automated safeguards prevent common development issues and enforce organizational standards.\n-   **[Build Agent limitations](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-limitations.md)**  \nPlan deployments and troubleshoot issues by learning about Build Agent constraints that affect deployment capabilities and performance.\n\n**Parent Topic:**[Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent.md)\n\n"}}