--- 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 --- # Explore # Exploring ServiceNow Studio {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated March 12, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 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 Exploring ServiceNow Studio ServiceNow Studio is a unified development environment designed for platform developers to create, modify, and deploy applications efficiently. It consolidates app file management, metadata editing, and deployment packaging into a single interface, eliminating the need to switch between multiple tools. This environment supports development of custom, globally scoped, and base system applications, including customization of store apps. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **AI-native Design:** Leverages generative and agentic AI capabilities to accelerate app building and enhance custom applications. * **Build Agent:** An autonomous AI agent within Studio that assists in creating and updating applications. * **Integrated Builders:** Access to low-code builders like Table Builder and Workflow Studio flows, integrated directly into the environment. * **AI and Code Search:** Powerful search functionality to locate any application or metadata record using AI Search and standard code search. * **Accelerated Deployment:** Package and deploy applications using update sets, pipelines, or the Application Repository without leaving Studio. * **Development Experience Flexibility:** Switch between different development environments within Studio to match each project stage. * **Scope Management:** Create and edit apps and files across global and custom scopes, with automatic scope switching when navigating between files. ## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers By using ServiceNow Studio, customers can streamline their application development lifecycle---creating, editing, maintaining, and deploying apps all in one place. The embedded AI tools and integrated low-code builders enable faster development and more intelligent app design. The ability to manage scopes seamlessly and deploy through multiple mechanisms ensures flexibility and control over app lifecycle management. Search capabilities improve productivity by quickly locating needed resources. ## Additional Resources Customers looking to deepen their knowledge or get hands-on guidance can utilize ServiceNow Community forums, developer instance help, and training videos such as those from App Engine Academy. The Build Agent also provides interactive assistance within Studio to support app development tasks. 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. ## What can you do in ServiceNow Studio? {#exploring-servicenow-studio__section_kqp_zjl_51c} ServiceNow Studio provides a single environment for app development, from creation to deployment. Use it to: * Create, edit, maintain, and deploy custom, globally scoped, and base system apps and app files --- without switching between tools. You can also customize store apps. * Search for and edit any type of metadata record using the File Navigator taxonomy. * Package app changes for deployment using update sets, pipelines, or the Application Repository. {#exploring-servicenow-studio__ul_jc4_jgj_vcc} ## ServiceNow Studio features and benefits {#exploring-servicenow-studio__id_qvk_jnx_g3c} Use ServiceNow Studio to build, manage, and deploy apps faster in a single development environment. It provides the following features for admins and delegated developers. * AI-native design: Use the generative and agentic AI capabilities in ServiceNow Studio to build apps faster and extend custom applications with AI. For more information, see [AI tools and files in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/uLlX2EjlSH_2eAMK6EqvVg "Use AI tools and files in ServiceNow Studio to create and summarize apps using generative AI. You can also add AI files to applications to enhance user productivity through conversation and proactive experiences."). * Build Agent: Use Build Agent, an autonomous AI agent, to create and update applications in ServiceNow Studio. For more information, see [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."). * Integrated builders: Access low-code builders available in the ServiceNow AI Platform, including Table Builder and flows in Workflow Studio, alongside app development tools. For more information, see [Access integrated development tools and builders in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/lolwQfWpxHP5cpK8X~1jzQ "Access development tools and builders directly in ServiceNow Studio so you can build apps without switching between interfaces. Open any file type to launch the correct tool or builder automatically."). * AI and code search: Search for any application or metadata record in your instance using AI Search and standard code search. For more information, see [Find an app or app file using Search](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/A3L5a8LsKApUhthbOz09Xg "Use Search in ServiceNow Studio to find and open any app or app file. You can also activate code search to find snippets of code within specific metadata types on your instance.") and [Find an app or app file using the Navigator panel](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/LRGAgKkWPjf2ZetEW37oqw "Use the Navigator panel in ServiceNow Studio to browse apps and app files by metadata type and open them directly."). * Accelerated deployment: Create and package apps for deployment using update sets, pipelines, or the Application Repository without leaving ServiceNow Studio. For more information, see [Update sets in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/3D67oYZeddJjkctz2Msjbw "Use update sets in ServiceNow Studio to group configuration changes and move them as a unit to other instances for testing or deployment.") and [Publish app changes to the Application Repository from ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/_tKFJcglxomeSpV7MAfKyQ "Publish app changes from ServiceNow Studio to the Application Repository (App Repo) so your updates are available to all instances of your application."). * Choose your development experience: Switch between development environments using the experience switcher in ServiceNow Studio to use the best tool for each stage of your project. For more information, see [Change your development experience in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/uEyKXedVRUXhjPhJ5PRMtw "Switch between development environments in ServiceNow Studio using the experience switcher to use the best tool for each stage of your app development."). * Create apps and files: Create apps and files in any scope that you have access to edit, including the global scope. For more information, see [Create an application in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/l~jtNWgTAHUbQnqxpIKBgw#create-an-application-in-servicenow-studio "Create a custom application in ServiceNow Studio, then add data, automation, or other app files using integrated development tools and builders.") and [Create an app file in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/Tlv0dYw7TbXtIq7yhKWDuA "Create an app file in ServiceNow Studio to define how an aspect of an application functions — such as which users can access it or how it processes data."). * Global and custom scope: Open and edit files of any scope you have access to, including global and custom files. The scope switches automatically when you switch between open files in different applications. For more information, see [Open apps and app files across scopes in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/GZ39eNATCfNKn4n1lkM5NQ "Open and edit apps and app files in any scope — global or custom — in ServiceNow Studio. The current scope displays at the bottom of the screen and updates automatically when you switch to an app in a different scope."). {#exploring-servicenow-studio__ul_itp_5kc_vcc} ## Helpful resources {#exploring-servicenow-studio__cf-app-landing-get-help} Use these ServiceNow resources to learn more about ServiceNow Studio and app development: ServiceNow Community : [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) Video : Watch [App Engine Academy: Platform capabilities and data modeling for custom applications](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3MClPNjBzI). Video : Watch [App Engine Academy: Using ServiceNow Studio for Multi-Level Table Inheritance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOz5a-Dvi5Y). Video : Watch [App Engine Academy #1: Custom App Development Best Practices](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--nkVtilSEY) ServiceNow Community : Learn [Instance help for your personal developer instance (PDI)](https://www.servicenow.com/community/instance-help/ct-p/instance-help) ServiceNow Social Ambassadors Program : [ServiceNow Social Ambassadors Program training](https://servicenow-socialambassadors.sprinklr.com/content/ADVOCACY_205_68d30a63ee11675df8b18728?sourceType=ACCOUNT)