Building pro-code applications

Create and manage custom applications from scratch using classic pro-code tools.

ServiceNow Studio

Use ServiceNow Studio to build apps and app files with integrated tools, access and edit metadata in scoped and global apps, and package app changes for deployment, all in one powerful development tool.
ServiceNow IDE

ServiceNow IDE is an implementation of Visual Studio Code for the Web on the ServiceNow AI Platform. With the ServiceNow IDE, you can create and develop scoped applications in source code, create JavaScript modules, and use third-party libraries.
ServiceNow SDK

ServiceNow SDK enables developers to create scoped applications in source code locally in Visual Studio Code Desktop and upload changes to a ServiceNow instance. You can also use the ServiceNow SDK to create JavaScript modules and use third-party libraries.
ServiceNow Extensions for Visual Studio Code

The ServiceNow extensions for VS Code editor enables you to edit applications offline and within ServiceNow instances.

Which app builder should I use?

Use the following table to choose the app building experience that matches your role and technical background.

Tool	Users	Features
Build Agent: Build an app using natural language prompts.	Developers of all experience levels (from low-code to Platform and source code)	Build full-stack applications via a conversational interface.You can use Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE to generate a complete ServiceNow scoped or global application. For more information, see Exploring Build Agent.
ServiceNow Studio: Build and deliver apps in a unified environment.	Citizen developers, Platform developers	Build apps in a unified development environment.ServiceNow Studio provides streamlined navigation, integrated low-code tools, and built-in tracking and packaging so you can develop and ship apps faster. Use Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio to create and update apps with a conversational interaction. For more information, see Exploring ServiceNow Studio.

Tool

Users

Features

Build Agent: Build an app using natural language prompts.

Developers of all experience levels (from low-code to Platform and source code)

Build full-stack applications via a conversational interface.You can use Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio and the ServiceNow IDE to generate a complete ServiceNow scoped or global application. For more information, see Exploring Build Agent.

ServiceNow Studio: Build and deliver apps in a unified environment.

Citizen developers, Platform developers

Build apps in a unified development environment.ServiceNow Studio provides streamlined navigation, integrated low-code tools, and built-in tracking and packaging so you can develop and ship apps faster. Use Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio to create and update apps with a conversational interaction.

For more information, see Exploring ServiceNow Studio.

## Scripting

Action Designer

Use Workflow Studio to automate a repeatable task within a flow as a sequence of related steps. Enable flow authors to add actions to multiple flows with minimal configuration.
Client-side scripting

Client scripts enable the system to run JavaScript on the client (web browser) when client-based events occur, such as when a form loads, after form submission, or when a field changes value.
ServiceNow Otto for Code

Now Assist for code generation allows developers to write scripts quickly with AI-generated code suggestions based on text or code prompts.
Now Code Editor

Now Code Editor provides a rich-text editor interface that supports Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), JavaScript, Extensible Markup Language (XML), and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). Use Now Code Editor to modify UI configuration, data resource configuration, styles, events, client-side and server-side scripts in Next Experience UI Builder components.
Server-side scripting

Server scripts run on the server or database. They can change the appearance or behavior of the ServiceNow AI Platform or run as business rules when records and tables are accessed or modified.

Core functionality

Groups

Simplify user administration by assigning roles to groups. Any business rules, assignment rules, system roles, or attributes that refer to the group apply to all group members automatically.
Notifications

Use ServiceNow Notifications to manage system email, create system notifications, and configure how your system responds to inbound email.
Roles

Roles control access to features and capabilities in applications and modules. The admin role provides access to all features and capabilities.
ServiceNow plugins

Plugins are software components that provide specific features and functionalities within a ServiceNow instance.
UI policies

UI policies dynamically change the behavior of information on a form and control custom process flows for tasks.
Users

User records establish a relationship between an individual and your ServiceNow instance. User records consist of a user name, a password, and information relating to the individual, such as contact information, location, and job title.

JavaScript APIs

Use JavaScript APIs in scripts that you write to change the functionality of applications, or when you create new applications.
UI Builder

Use UI Builder to build web user interfaces for CRM Workspace, App Engine Studio generated workspaces and portals, or custom web experiences using Next Experience Components and custom web components.

title	Building pro-code applications
description	Create and manage custom applications from scratch using classic pro-code tools.
locale	en-US
canonical_url	https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-development/building-pro-code-applications.html
release	australia
topic_type	reference
last_updated	2026-09-10
reading_time_minutes	4
breadcrumb	Developing your applicationClassic app developmentBuilding applications

Building pro-code applications

Which app builder should I use?

Core functionality

Related applications and features