Development tooling
development-tooling.md
Three tools can build a Lux experience: Lux Lab, ServiceNow Lux Lab for VS Code, and the ServiceNow SDK. Lux and ServiceNow Lux Lab for VS Code build on the ServiceNow SDK foundation.
Tool comparison
The tools differ in how much of the ServiceNow SDK CLI they wrap in a UI, and where that UI lives.
| Tool | What it is | Where it runs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lux Lab | A ServiceNow application that combines a project explorer, code editor, instance browser, agent chat panel, source control, and build actions in one window | Standalone desktop app, downloaded from Lux Lab. | Working in a purpose-built tool, and agent-assisted page and widget authoring |
| Lux Lab for VS Code | An extension adding Instance Explorer, Script Runner, Quick Preview, and Lux: commands to VS Code |
Inside Visual Studio Code | Working in VS Code with Lux tooling alongside an existing setup |
| ServiceNow SDK | The CLI that scaffolds, builds, and deploys a Lux application (now-sdk init / build / install) |
Terminal, in any editor | Full control, scripting, and continuous integration (CI) pipelines |
Lux Lab and ServiceNow Lux Lab for VS Code are separate products that ship side by side. Pick whichever fits your workflow. Neither is a track you graduate from.
Both wrap the ServiceNow SDK rather than replacing it. Lux Lab runs now-sdk commands on your behalf when you build and deploy. The VS Code extension requires ServiceNow SDK 4.14 or later to be installed.
Next steps
After you pick a tool, see Create your first Lux experience, which uses the Now SDK CLI directly.
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--- title: Development tooling description: Three tools can build a Lux experience: Lux Lab, ServiceNow Lux Lab for VS Code, and the ServiceNow SDK. Lux and ServiceNow Lux Lab for VS Code build on the ServiceNow SDK foundation. locale: en-US canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-development/development-tooling.html release: australia topic_type: concept last_updated: "2026-09-29" reading_time_minutes: 2 keywords: [Development tooling, Tool comparison] breadcrumb: [Exploring Lux, Lux Development, Building pro-code applications, Developing your application, Classic app development, Building applications] --- # Development tooling Three tools can build a Lux experience: Lux Lab, ServiceNow Lux Lab for VS Code, and the ServiceNow SDK. Lux and ServiceNow Lux Lab for VS Code build on the ServiceNow SDK foundation. ## Tool comparison The tools differ in how much of the ServiceNow SDK CLI they wrap in a UI, and where that UI lives. |Tool|What it is|Where it runs|Best for| |----|----------|-------------|--------| |[Lux Lab](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/lux-lab-app.md)|A ServiceNow application that combines a project explorer, code editor, instance browser, agent chat panel, source control, and build actions in one window|Standalone desktop app, downloaded from [Lux Lab](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/lux-lab-app.md).|Working in a purpose-built tool, and agent-assisted page and widget authoring| |[Lux Lab for VS Code](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/lux-lab-for-vs-code.md)|An extension adding Instance Explorer, Script Runner, Quick Preview, and `Lux:` commands to VS Code|Inside Visual Studio Code|Working in VS Code with Lux tooling alongside an existing setup| |[ServiceNow SDK](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/now-sdk.md)|The CLI that scaffolds, builds, and deploys a Lux application \(`now-sdk init` / `build` / `install`\)|Terminal, in any editor|Full control, scripting, and continuous integration \(CI\) pipelines| Lux Lab and ServiceNow Lux Lab for VS Code are separate products that ship side by side. Pick whichever fits your workflow. Neither is a track you graduate from. Both wrap the ServiceNow SDK rather than replacing it. Lux Lab runs `now-sdk` commands on your behalf when you build and deploy. The VS Code extension requires ServiceNow SDK 4.14 or later to be installed. ## Next steps After you pick a tool, see [Create your first Lux experience](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/create-your-first-experience.md), which uses the Now SDK CLI directly.
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