--- sourceDocument: Australia Build or modify applications sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/application-development Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia Build or modify applications ft:clusterId : - cadev bundleId : - cadev workflow : - Development, Data, and Analytics --- # Building pro-code applications # Building pro-code applications {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated March 12, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 4 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 Building pro-code applications This guide explains how ServiceNow customers can create and manage custom applications using classic pro-code development tools. It covers different development environments, scripting options, and core platform features that enable developers with varying technical skills to build, customize, and deploy applications on the ServiceNow AI Platform. Show full answer Show less ## App Building Tools and User Roles * **ServiceNow Studio:** A unified environment for citizen and platform developers to build apps with integrated low-code and pro-code tools, app packaging, and conversational Build Agent support. * **ServiceNow IDE:** A Visual Studio Code for the Web implementation on the ServiceNow AI Platform, designed for source code developers to build scoped apps using JavaScript modules, third-party libraries, and ServiceNow Fluent language. It also supports Build Agent interaction. * **ServiceNow SDK:** Allows local source code development in Visual Studio Code Desktop with upload capabilities to ServiceNow instances, supporting JavaScript modules and third-party libraries. * **ServiceNow Extensions for Visual Studio Code:** Enable offline editing and editing within ServiceNow instances for VS Code users. ## Choosing the Right App Builder | Tool | Users | Capabilities | |-|-|-| | Creator Studio | Process owners, line of business owners | Build request-fulfillment apps without code (e.g., approval workflows). | | App Engine Studio | Citizen developers | Create a broad range of apps with low-code tools, no coding required. | | ServiceNow Studio | Citizen developers, platform developers | Unified environment combining low-code and pro-code development with app lifecycle management. | | ServiceNow IDE and SDK | Source code developers | Develop scoped applications using source code, JavaScript modules, third-party libraries, and ServiceNow Fluent language. | ## Scripting and Automation * **Action Designer:** Automate repeatable tasks within workflows using sequences of related steps, enabling reuse across multiple flows. * **Client-side scripting:** Use client scripts to run JavaScript in the browser based on form events like load, change, or submission. * **Server-side scripting:** Run scripts on the server or database to modify platform behavior or enforce business rules when data is accessed or changed. * **ServiceNow Otto for Code:** AI-assisted code generation helps developers write scripts faster through code suggestions. * **Now Code Editor:** Rich-text editor supporting CSS, HTML, JavaScript, XML, and JSON to customize UI components and scripts within Next Experience UI Builder. ## Core Platform Functionality Supporting App Development * **Groups and Roles:** Simplify user administration and access control by assigning roles to groups, which automatically apply to all members. * **Notifications:** Manage system emails and configure inbound email responses. * **Plugins:** Add specific features and functionalities to your ServiceNow instance. * **UI Policies:** Dynamically alter form behavior and control custom process flows without scripting. * **User Records:** Manage individual user information and credentials. ## Related Features * **JavaScript APIs:** Extend and customize application functionality through scripting. * **UI Builder:** Create web user interfaces for workspaces, portals, and custom experiences using Next Experience Components. By selecting the appropriate development tool based on role and expertise, and leveraging scripting and core platform capabilities, ServiceNow customers can efficiently build, customize, and deploy powerful pro-code applications tailored to their organizational needs. Create and manage custom applications from scratch using classic pro-code tools. [ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/6vj3PRLgkGcvK8LaWdEsoQ "Use ServiceNow Studio to build, configure, and deploy custom ServiceNow apps from a single development environment. ServiceNow Studio gives admins and developers integrated tools to create app files, edit scoped and global app metadata, and package changes for deployment.") : Use ServiceNow Studio to build apps and app files with integrated tools, access and edit metadata in scoped and global apps, and package app changes for deployment, all in one powerful development tool. [ServiceNow IDE](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/eMYyriIe_g3dvPLBokdLyg "Create and develop 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.") : ServiceNow IDE is an implementation of Visual Studio Code for the Web on the ServiceNow AI Platform. With the ServiceNow IDE, you can create and develop scoped applications in source code, create JavaScript modules, and use third-party libraries. [ServiceNow SDK](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/~gZiLOf42HSLacfuqryftg "Create and develop applications in source code locally in Visual Studio Code Desktop and upload changes to an instance using the ServiceNow software development kit (SDK).") : ServiceNow SDK enables developers to create scoped applications in source code locally in Visual Studio Code Desktop and upload changes to a ServiceNow instance. You can also use the ServiceNow SDK to create JavaScript modules and use third-party libraries. [ServiceNow Extensions for Visual Studio Code](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/hIZdp86kwIIpUgehUO25cA "Edit your ServiceNow applications in Visual Studio Code with the help of the ServiceNow Extensions for VS Code.") : The ServiceNow extensions for VS Code editor enables you to edit applications offline and within ServiceNow instances. ## Which app builder should I use? {#building-pro-code-applications__id_uzz_nf3_s3c} Use the following table to choose the app building experience that matches your role and technical background. {#building-pro-code-applications__app-builders-table__entry__3} | Tool | Users | Features | |-|-|-| | Creator Studio: Build an app without code. | Process owners, line of business owners | Build request-fulfillment apps without writing code. For example, create an application to request office supplies: a user fills out a form, and an approver accepts or denies the request. For more information, see [Exploring Creator Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/9ZdqTn_eJz8jrTrlJb5Z0w "Creator Studio makes creating apps easier by dividing their creation into simple steps. In this section, we'll explain each one."). | | App Engine Studio: Build a range of apps using low-code tools. | Citizen developers | Build a broader range of apps than Creator Studio without writing code. For more information, see [Exploring App Engine Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/F7_q8_62smdT3_7KYX_YfA "Learn how you can use the low-code app development tool, App Engine Studio (AES), to build powerful applications using guided setup, predefined templates, and workflows."). | | ServiceNow Studio: Build and deliver apps in a unified environment. | Citizen developers, Platform developers | Build apps in a unified development environment. ServiceNow Studio provides streamlined navigation, integrated low-code tools, and built-in tracking and packaging so you can develop and ship apps faster. Use Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio to create and update apps with a conversational interaction. For more information, see [Exploring ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/5vacmk3x3_kqCU_WE7R3gw "ServiceNow Studio is a unified development environment where platform developers create, modify, and deploy apps. Use ServiceNow Studio to manage app files, edit metadata, and package changes for deployment without switching between tools.") and [Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/A6Pjtl7DojwPwbxEzjKM7A "Use Build Agent, an autonomous AI agent, to create and update applications in ServiceNow Studio through conversational interaction."). | | ServiceNow IDE and ServiceNow SDK: Build apps in source code. | Source code developers | Develop applications in source code with ServiceNow Fluent, create JavaScript modules, and use third-party libraries. ServiceNow Fluent is a domain-specific programming language for creating application metadata in code. Use Build Agent in ServiceNow IDE to create and update apps in source code with a conversational interaction. The ServiceNow IDE runs Visual Studio Code for the Web on the ServiceNow AI Platform. The ServiceNow SDK runs Visual Studio Code Desktop locally. For more information, see [Building applications in source code](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ctrNTXJvQ5Ygxu7d2YraWA "Create and develop custom applications in source code using familiar development tools and processes."). | [Table 1. App builders] {#building-pro-code-applications__app-builders-table} ## Scripting {#building-pro-code-applications__section_ptn_1v4_rvb} [Action Designer](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=actions&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) : Use Workflow Studio to automate a repeatable task within a flow as a sequence of related steps. Enable flow authors to add actions to multiple flows with minimal configuration. [Client-side scripting](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=client-side-scripting-overview&version=australia&pubname=australia-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US) : Client scripts enable the system to run JavaScript on the client (web browser) when client-based events occur, such as when a form loads, after form submission, or when a field changes value. [ServiceNow Otto for Code](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=now-assist-code-landing&version=australia&pubname=australia-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US) : Now Assist for code generation allows developers to write scripts quickly with AI-generated code suggestions based on text or code prompts. [Now Code Editor](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/_I3uLSyRSOOndtdC1z22Jw "Now Code Editor is a rich-text editor like interface that supports Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), JavaScript, Extensible Markup Language (XML), and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). Use Now Code Editor to modify UI configuration, data resource configuration, styles, events, client-side and server-side scripts in Next Experience UI Builder components.") : Now Code Editor provides a rich-text editor interface that supports Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), JavaScript, Extensible Markup Language (XML), and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). Use Now Code Editor to modify UI configuration, data resource configuration, styles, events, client-side and server-side scripts in Next Experience UI Builder components. [Server-side scripting](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_ServerScripting&version=australia&pubname=australia-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US) : Server scripts run on the server or database. They can change the appearance or behavior of the ServiceNow AI Platform or run as business rules when records and tables are accessed or modified. ## Core functionality {#building-pro-code-applications__section_m3p_1z4_rvb} [Groups](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ua-creating-groups&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US) : Simplify user administration by assigning roles to groups. Any business rules, assignment rules, system roles, or attributes that refer to the group apply to all group members automatically. [Notifications](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=notifications&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US) : Use ServiceNow Notifications to manage system email, create system notifications, and configure how your system responds to inbound email. [Roles](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ua-creating-roles&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US) : Roles control access to features and capabilities in applications and modules. The admin role provides access to all features and capabilities. [ServiceNow plugins](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_ServiceNowPlugins&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US) : Plugins are software components that provide specific features and functionalities within a ServiceNow instance. [UI policies](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_CreateAUIPolicy&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US) : UI policies dynamically change the behavior of information on a form and control custom process flows for tasks. [Users](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=user&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US) : User records establish a relationship between an individual and your ServiceNow instance. User records consist of a user name, a password, and information relating to the individual, such as contact information, location, and job title. ## Related applications and features {#building-pro-code-applications__section_gf3_hkq_rvb} [JavaScript APIs](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=api-reference&version=australia&pubname=australia-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US) : Use JavaScript APIs in scripts that you write to change the functionality of applications, or when you create new applications. [UI Builder](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/eEkHP5JM3Z7MG7voCBC~XA "UI Builder is a web user interface builder. Use UI Builder to build pages for App Engine Studio generated workspaces or custom web experiences using Next Experience Components and custom web components.") : Use UI Builder to build web user interfaces for CRM Workspace, App Engine Studio generated workspaces and portals, or custom web experiences using Next Experience Components and custom web components.