---
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


---

# Create an app file

# Create an app file in ServiceNow Studio {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated May 13, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read  
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.

## Before you begin

Role required: admin or delegated_developer

## About this task

Application files are metadata records for application logic such as business rules, workflows, and script includes. For more information about app files, see [Application files](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/2Ym~yBgZf8abZEGaAMrHBA "Application files are configuration records that allow developers to extend application functionality.") and [Metadata app file categories in the ServiceNow Studio Navigator](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/2MEDmDzPvjBVtXPh7wNDCA "Use ServiceNow Studio to access and work with all metadata types that the ServiceNow AI Platform supports, from automations and integrations to user interface files.").

Delegated developers can create app files for apps they have access to. To have an app created, contact your admin.

Use this procedure to create files from anywhere in ServiceNow Studio. To add files to a newly created app, see [Add a file to your app in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/l~jtNWgTAHUbQnqxpIKBgw#add-a-file-to-your-application "Add a file to your application immediately after creating it in ServiceNow Studio.").

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllApp EngineServiceNow Studio.
2. Select either the create icon ![]() next to the Navigator panel or the Create button.  
3. **Optional:** If an app is already open in the Navigator panel, select the create icon + next to any file type to create a file of that type.  
   To create a new file of any type, select the create icon + next to the application name.

4. Select File.
5. Specify which scope the file belongs to by entering it in the Application field.  
   Note:  
   If you are creating a file directly from within an app, the Application field is pre-populated with the application name.
   To make the app file available to all apps, select the Global scope.

6. Select the card for the file type you want to create.  
   Find the file type using one of the following options:
   * Select a file from one of the metadata categories in the New File tab.
   * Search for the file type.
   * Select from the list of Recent file types.

   {#sn-studio-create-app-file__ul_xz3_hgh_qcc}  
   Note:  
   Available file types depend on your permissions. If you do not see a file type you expect, contact your administrator.

   For a list of all available file types, see [ServiceNow Studio Navigator panel taxonomy](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/9Bs8oqJ10yBcmwggAwKfaQ "Reference each metadata file type and its corresponding primary table in the File categories tab of the ServiceNow Studio Navigator panel."). For more information about each file type, see [Metadata app file categories in the ServiceNow Studio Navigator](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/2MEDmDzPvjBVtXPh7wNDCA "Use ServiceNow Studio to access and work with all metadata types that the ServiceNow AI Platform supports, from automations and integrations to user interface files.").
7. Select Continue.  
   The record for the app file opens in the same browser tab in ServiceNow Studio.
8. Enter the details for the new app file in the form.  
   The form fields vary depending on the file type.
9. Select Submit.  
   The app file is created and added to your application.

## What to do next

Select the refresh icon in the Navigator panel to display the new file in the list of app files.

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