--- 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 --- # Applications in ServiceNow Studio # Applications in ServiceNow Studio {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated May 11, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read Create, update, manage, publish, and delete applications in ServiceNow Studio --- all from a single environment, based on your permissions. ## What are ServiceNow applications? {#working-with-apps-in-servicenow-studio__section_khp_smc_4fc} A 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. Applications range from a few files to thousands of files. In ServiceNow Studio, you can create and work on apps of any size with a variety of file types, based on your permissions. ## How do I create an application? {#working-with-apps-in-servicenow-studio__section_cct_hqc_4fc} Use either Create button on the ServiceNow Studio home page to start creating an app with metadata records. 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."). Create an app in source code by selecting the Explorer tab and selecting Create an app. For more information, see [Building apps in source code in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/azwUD18~uE3jVxICjCF0rw "Developing and maintaining applications in source code enables you to create and modify complex applications, manage code in source control more easily, and catch errors at build time."). ## Opening an existing application for the first time {#working-with-apps-in-servicenow-studio__id_xtm_tnd_4fc} When you open ServiceNow Studio for the first time, open your apps from the Navigator panel on the left side of the screen. Search for the app by name or select it from the list. Selecting an app opens its full contents in the Navigator panel, with all file types organized by category, such as Automation. Select App details to open the app in a new tab. For more information, see [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."). For more information about working with your application from App details, see [App details page](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/Ehv4HUAA1rlDvWWQEYpGqQ "The App details page in ServiceNow Studio shows metadata about your app and provides access to common development actions — including creating files, updating app settings, and publishing your app for deployment."). ## Opening apps for continued work {#working-with-apps-in-servicenow-studio__id_glx_snd_4fc} After you open an app for the first time, it appears in the Recently opened apps section on the ServiceNow Studio home page. Recently opened files are also available from the home page. To find apps and files you have worked on recently, select the Recent section in the Navigator panel and filter by time period. * **[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. * **[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. * **[App details page](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/Ehv4HUAA1rlDvWWQEYpGqQ)** The App details page in ServiceNow Studio shows metadata about your app and provides access to common development actions --- including creating files, updating app settings, and publishing your app for deployment. * **[Bookmark apps and app files in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/VLNlqXgp4pX9t17Caz3Spw)** Bookmark apps and app files in ServiceNow Studio so you can access them quickly from the Bookmarks tab in the Navigator panel. * **[Preview an app file in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/~rBGRZnkoA8deWHAHOZwbQ)** Preview app files in ServiceNow Studio before publishing to confirm that the file looks and functions as expected. Only files with a user interface support preview. * **[Find an app or app file using code search](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/GY_nREl8MvCrON7HtmMS9w)** Use code search in ServiceNow Studio to search through all applications and tables on an instance to locate a specific app, app file, or code snippet. * **[Delete an app from ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/y5BA9wHvyuAZ_~lSoVOjoQ)** Delete apps that are no longer needed from ServiceNow Studio to remove them permanently from the instance.