Creating or updating an app file with Build Agent default mode

concept australia Updated Sep 10, 2026 2 min read creating-or-updating-an-app-file.md

Use Build Agent to add new files or modify existing files in ServiceNow applications to support ongoing app development and maintenance.

The process for creating or updating an app file is very similar to creating an application. The main difference is that Build Agent prompts you to enter the application name or scope so it knows which application to update files in.

In a new chat with Build Agent, select Create a file or Update a file to get started, and continue the conversation from there.

[Omitted image "ba-sns-create-update.png"] Alt text: New Chat panel with Create a file and Update a file buttons highlighted.

Continue the conversation just like you did with creating an application, using the change log and checkpoints as you go. For more information, see Checkpoints and conversation change log and Revert app changes with Build Agent.

Review the application and its metadata in ServiceNow Studio using the change log. For more information, see Checkpoints and conversation change log. You can also review the application using the File Navigator in ServiceNow Studio. For more information, see Find an app or app file using the Navigator panel.

For information on deploying your application, see Deploying what you built with Build Agent.

Parent Topic:Use Build Agent

Keywords create app fileupdate app fileadd file to applicationmodify application filebuild agent create filebuild agent update fileapplication scopeconversational change logcheckpointsapp developmentapp maintenanceServiceNow OttoAI Agentsgenerative AIagentic AI

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---
title: Creating or updating an app file with Build Agent default mode
description: Use Build Agent to add new files or modify existing files in ServiceNow applications to support ongoing app development and maintenance.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-development/creating-or-updating-an-app-file.html
release: australia
topic_type: concept
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 2
keywords: [create app file, update app file, add file to application, modify application file, build agent create file, build agent update file, application scope, conversational change log, checkpoints, app development, app maintenance, ServiceNow Otto, AI Agents, generative AI, agentic AI]
audience: programmer
breadcrumb: [Use, Build Agent, Build, AI Workflow Factory Prime, Agentic app development, Building applications]
---

# Creating or updating an app file with Build Agent default mode

Use Build Agent to add new files or modify existing files in ServiceNow applications to support ongoing app development and maintenance.

The process for creating or updating an app file is very similar to creating an application. The main difference is that Build Agent prompts you to enter the application name or scope so it knows which application to update files in.

In a new chat with Build Agent, select **Create a file** or **Update a file** to get started, and continue the conversation from there.

\[Omitted image "ba-sns-create-update.png"\] Alt text: New Chat panel with Create a file and Update a file buttons highlighted.

Continue the conversation just like you did with creating an application, using the change log and checkpoints as you go. For more information, see [Checkpoints and conversation change log](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/ba-conversational-change-log.md) and [Revert app changes with Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/revert-app-changes-using-build-agent.md).

Review the application and its metadata in ServiceNow Studio using the change log. For more information, see [Checkpoints and conversation change log](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/ba-conversational-change-log.md). You can also review the application using the File Navigator in ServiceNow Studio. For more information, see [Find an app or app file using the Navigator panel](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/servicenow-studio-classic/qs-find-app-app-file-using-navigator-panel.md).

For information on deploying your application, see [Deploying what you built with Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-deployment.md).

**Parent Topic:**[Use Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/use-build-agent.md)