---
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


---

# Initialize a Git repository

# Initialize a Git repository {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated July 24, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Initialize a local Git repository for an application in ServiceNow Studio and push it to a remote Git repository to manage an application in source control.

## Before you begin

* Create or convert an application with ServiceNow Studio. 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.") or [Convert an application to Fluent](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/U8znXdwPI50FjwnB9jp1XQ "Convert an existing application to support development in source code with ServiceNow Studio.").
* Create a dedicated Git repository for the application from your Git provider.
* Set your basic or OAuth 2.0 credentials for ServiceNow Studio to connect to your Git repository. For more information, see [Connect to a Git provider using basic authentication](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/NBthqTQFYBHAQln5tgkSHw "Connect to a Git domain or repository using basic authentication credentials to manage applications in Fluent source control from ServiceNow Studio.") and [Connect to a Git provider using OAuth 2.0](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/EdcFteT1i4Ok~cMw7jO2Gw#fluent-sc-connect-to-git-provider-oauth-2-0 "Set up an OAuth 2.0 application registry and credentials to connect to your Git provider from ServiceNow Studio.").

{#fluent-sc-initialize-git-repo__ul_cst_bs4_bcc}

Role required: admin

## About this task

An application on an instance can be connected to only one repository at a time. To clone an application that exists in a remote Git repository, see [Clone a Git repository from ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/DuYJSNIFwOh9AhORnerV0A "Clone a remote Git repository to collaborate on applications in Fluent source control in ServiceNow Studio.").

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllApp EngineServiceNow Studio.
2. Add an application that isn't connected to a Git repository to the Explorer tab.
   1. On the Apps tab, select the application you want to add.
   2. Select the more options icon ![](), and select Add app to explorer.
   {#fluent-sc-initialize-git-repo__substeps_ib1_q1m_fkc}
3. Use one of the following keyboard shortcuts to open the command palette:  
   * Windows: Ctrl-Shift-P
   * Mac: Cmd-Shift-P
   {#fluent-sc-initialize-git-repo__ul_j4x_ns4_gcc}
4. Enter <kbd class="ph userinput">Git: Initialize Repository</kbd> and press Enter.
5. Select the application for which you want to initialize a Git repository and press Enter.
6. Select main as the default branch name or enter another name and press Enter.
7. Select the stage all untracked changes icon ![]().
8. Enter a commit message and select the commit icon ![]().
9. Select the more actions menu icon ![]() and select Push.
10. Enter a remote repository URL and press Enter.

## Result

The application is available in the remote repository.
If your Git credentials aren't configured or are inactive, the application isn't pushed to the remote repository. When prompted to configure your credentials, select Configure to configure your Git credentials and then try again.

## What to do next

Check out or create branches in the repository and push changes to the remote repository. For more information, see [Using Fluent source control in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/D45m2nn6qL_27Tp0E6a7iw "Use Git commands and other source control features in ServiceNow Studio to manage changes to an application across a development team.").

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