--- sourceDocument: Australia IT Service Management sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/it-service-management Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia IT Service Management ft:clusterId : - itsm bundleId : - itsm workflow : - Technology --- # Create a CDM application that is based on an existing service in the CMDB # Create a CDM application that is based on an existing service in the CMDB {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated March 12, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read Create an application as the container for all config data for a service (an application service, application model, or dynamic CI group \[infrastructure\] in the CMDB). ## Before you begin Important: Starting with the Washington D.C. release, DevOps Config is being prepared for future deprecation. It will be hidden and no longer activated on new instances but will continue to be supported. Role required: CDM Admin \[sn_cdm.cdm_admin\] ## About this task For the application, you specify the number of deployables to generate and the SDLC environment that the deployables represent. When you upload existing config data into the application, the system maps the data as `[name:value]` pairs (config data items --- CDIs) in the appropriate node in the data structure of the CDM application. For an overview of the process of preparing a new application to receive config data, see [Preparing an application for config data upload](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/8Q5kClfh4tg6NVjQaKuLmw "An application in CDM is the full collection of config data for an application service, application model, or dynamic CI group [infrastructure] in the CMDB. After you upload your source config data, the application can support all potential deployables that make up each version of the development, test, and production environments of the service."). ## Procedure 1. Select the Applications icon (![Applications icon]()) to open the Create new application page and then select Application based on existing services to specify the CMDB service that the new application will hold config data for. 2. Fill in the settings on the Create Deployables dialog box to specify the quantity and environment type of the deployables and the CMDB services to connect them to. {#cdm-application-create-from-cmdb__table_efn_lrs_xrb__entry__2} | Field | Description | |-|-| | Environment | The kind of code environment that is configured by the config data in the deployable. * Production * Development * Test {#cdm-application-create-from-cmdb__ul_lkh_prs_xrb} | | Connection preference | Option to connect the newly created deployables to services. * Auto-connect each new deployable to a service in the application model or dynamic CI group. * Manually specify the service to connect each new deployable to. You make the connections on the next page. {#cdm-application-create-from-cmdb__ul_mkl_fss_xrb} Note: Because the DevOps pipeline applies config data in a deployable only to the services that the deployable is connected to, every deployable must be connected to a service. | | Quantity | The number of deployables to create. If the number exceeds the number of services that are associated with the existing item in the CMDB, then the system generates new blank services. | [Table 1. Create Deployables settings] {#cdm-application-create-from-cmdb__table_efn_lrs_xrb} When you select Create, the system generates the application with the specified number and types of deployables and opens the Edit deployables tab for the application. 3. Select Manage deployables to open the Edit deployables tab where you can configure the deployables. 4. On the Edit deployables tab, update the settings for each deployable and then select Next. You connect each deployable to a service in the CMDB. The deployable holds the config data for its associated service. The system auto-saves your updates to settings. {#cdm-application-create-from-cmdb__table_zy2_rlt_xrb__entry__2} | Field | Description | |-|-| | Deployable name | Default name for the deployable that the system generates. Rename as needed. | | Deployable description | Description that helps other users understand the purpose, scope, and intent of the deployable. | | Identifier | Unique identifier that distinguishes this deployable from other deployables that share the same name and possibly many config data settings. For example, the production deployable that has the identifier Uraguay might have different config settings for the `currency` setting than the deployable that has the identifier Greenland. | | Connected to | Service in the CMDB that is configured by the data in snapshots of the deployable. Select a service in the Available services list. Note: To continue, you must connect each deployable to a service. Perform one of the following actions: * Connect the deployable to a CI in the CMDB: Select the cmdb_ci and then select Next. * Create a CI to connect to: Select New, define the CI, and then select Next. {#cdm-application-create-from-cmdb__ul_ach_qmy_dsb} | [Table 2. Deployable details settings] {#cdm-application-create-from-cmdb__table_zy2_rlt_xrb} The Review page opens. 5. Click Next to view the list of deployables on the Edit deployables tab. {#cdm-application-create-from-cmdb__steps_w3c_dvp_dsb} ## What to do next The application is not yet structured to accept config data, so the next step is to add the data structure. See [Add nodes with config data to CDM application](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/jOaJ~OvoCo9A1zKwwKq6ng "Add the data structure to a new application that will accept the uploaded config data into appropriate nodes."). **Related concepts** * [Viewing and editing config data](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/wDuynY3CbIbMdsnLrXip4Q "You can update the config data of an application by creating or opening a changeset on the Config data tab, where you update the structure and CDIs of the config data.") * [How encrypted data is handled](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/p_LEFc65xiD27KHPQdknvg "By default, encrypted values appear in all views as *******. Only users with the CDM Secrets [sn_cdm.cdm_secrets] role can view, create, update, and delete encrypted values in config data. The system validates and exports encrypted data appropriately.") **Related tasks** * [Define or update a component](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/BKH7Lv5UIFJS3sHhuxgAEQ "Define or update a component while working in a changeset.") * [Define or update a collection in an application](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/fyAnRJ9O_C_WPyEIEFouPA "Define or update a collection while working in a changeset of a application.") * [Create or update a variable CDI](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/Sko5ZMaeeX_bDg4fL_WICA "Define variables and set their values in components, collections, and deployables.") **Related reference** * [CDM data model](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ZN7eqYO5WCjS4cDDgfQaQQ "The CDM data model is a standardized data structure that supports the broader life cycle of software delivery — automation, quality validation, and CSDM. CDM imports existing config data, validates it using policies that you define, and exports valid config data to your organization's existing DevOps pipeline to implement applications, services, and infrastructure.")