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sourceDocument: Xanadu Enable AI
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/xanadu/intelligent-experiences

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ft:locale :

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ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu Enable AI

ft:clusterId :

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---

# General guidelines for Now Assist Skill Kit

# General guidelines for Now Assist Skill Kit {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

General guidelines are available to use Now Assist Skill Kit.

## Now Assist Skill Kit guidelines overview {#na-skill-kit-guidelines__gg-overview}

Think about the process of building a custom skill as having the following phases:

1. [Scoping the skill](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/J1GDXdUv8CKDgoTaMaN6uQ "Scoping the skill before you build it helps determine the requirements needed for the skill and the expected outcomes.")
2. [Collecting data and creating a dataset](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/3HKeJ9pSZSmSNV49wKEcQw "Use these guidelines to create an effective dataset. Having an effective dataset provides better results for your prompt.")
3. [Developing the prompt](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/XaZuRZ9ayjz6Fi14f1_Pgw "Use the guidelines to help create a prompt for your skill. A specific, clear, contextual prompt provides better results.")
4. [Conducting a performance evaluation](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/OkfARPmsaM_ZpKKyX8GLjw "Evaluating the prompt is an ongoing process that occurs during and after prompt development and completion.")
5. [Deploying and monitoring the skill](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/EkP8CjwHFKs3ITi4MvDgVA "After you evaluate the prompt, you can deploy the custom skill and monitor its effectiveness.")

Figure 1. The stages of building a custom skill

You should adopt a data-driven mindset while you build a skill. A data-driven mindset means emphasizing evidence-based decisions and minimizing speculation about how a large language model (LLM) can interpret the specific wording
of a prompt.

Now Assist Skill Kit needs intermediate skills in prompt engineering. If you're not a developer, you should equip yourself with the relevant knowledge before working with this tool.

There's information and helpful tooltips in many places throughout the product. Use this information to understand how to use the tool more effectively.

To ensure that there's a proper segregation of duties, a developer or generative AI practitioner creates the skill and then publishes it. After the skill is published, a Now Assist Admin will activate the skill, so that it shows up at the configured touch points and is available to use.