---
title: Create an application using Build Agent
description: Create a custom application by describing your requirements in plain language to Build Agent. The AI agent generates and builds the application code based on your input.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-development/create-a-new-application-using-build-agent.html
release: australia
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-08-19"
reading_time_minutes: 5
keywords: [ServiceNow Otto, AI Agents, generative AI, agentic AI]
breadcrumb: [Use, Build Agent, Agentic development on the ServiceNow AI Platform, Building applications]
---

# Create an application using Build Agent

Create a custom application by describing your requirements in plain language to Build Agent. The AI agent generates and builds the application code based on your input.

## Before you begin

Install and enable Build Agent. For more information, see [Install Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/install-build-agent.md).

If you prefer to access Build Agent in the ServiceNow IDE, you must first create a workspace. For more information, see [Create a workspace in the ServiceNow IDE](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/servicenow-ide-family-release/create-workspace-servicenow-ide.md).

**Note:** Build Agent requires the ServiceNow SDK version 4.0 at a minimum. If you’re using an older version, Build Agent prompts you to upgrade to ServiceNow SDK 4.0.

For some prompting guidelines and ideas, see [Example prompts](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-example-prompts.md).

Role required: admin

## About this task

A ServiceNow app is a package that performs a specific task for a specified group of users. Think of an app as a container with a set of rules around who can access and edit it. For example, ServiceNow apps can include an API, a table, a workspace, a form, a flow, or any combination of those things.

## Procedure

1.  Navigate to **All** > **App Development** > **ServiceNow Studio**.

    You can also open Build Agent in the ServiceNow IDE if you prefer a more code-centric experience.

    ServiceNow Studio opens. Use the central chat area on the ServiceNow Studio home page to start a new Build Agent conversation. You can access an existing conversation by selecting the Conversations icon \[Omitted image "ba-sns-otto-nav-icon.png"\] Alt text: in the Navigator panel.

    \[Omitted image "ba-sns-full-page-chat.png"\] Alt text: ServiceNow Studio home screen with a Build Agent prompt input area, Recents panel, Recent chats panel, and Plans panel listing example plans with statuses.

2.  In the chat panel, describe the application that you want to create in plain language or select a prompt.

<table id="choicetable_qzh_hj2_lgc"><thead><tr><th align="left" id="d276596e220">

Scenario

</th><th align="left" id="d276596e223">

Actions

</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td id="d276596e229">

**Describe the app you want to create**

</td><td>

Describe the application that you want to create, and then select the Send icon \[Omitted image "ba-send-icon.png"\] Alt text:. For example, `Create a basic to-do task tracker app with a user interface. Name the application Planner.`You can also attach images, such as architectural diagrams or UI wireframes, to provide context for prompts.

</td></tr><tr><td id="d276596e247">

**Select a predetermined prompt**

</td><td>

1.  Select **Create an app** from the Application list. \[Omitted image "ba-create-app-1.png"\] Alt text: Welcome to Build Agent message
2.  Describe the application that you want to create, including as much context as possible, and then select the Send icon \[Omitted image "ba-send-icon.png"\]. For example, include roles, data requirements, and success criteria.


</td></tr></tbody>
</table>    After reviewing your requirements, Build Agent requests confirmation to proceed with creating the application.

3.  Instruct Build Agent to start developing the application by selecting **Approve plan**.

    Or, if you're not satisfied with the plan, tell Build Agent what you change, and continue to prompt until you have a plan you like.

    \[Omitted image "ba-sns-plan-approve-v2.png"\] Alt text: Build plan panel in Waiting for approval state, listing four steps for the Daily Planner Tracker app, with an Approve plan button.

    Build Agent can access ServiceNow knowledge sources and tools, which enable it to learn, analyze, and then create applications.

    After creating the application, Build Agent builds the application.

    **Note:** You can preview the code files before approval. But to see the actual metadata output, you must build and install the application on the instance.

4.  If your application has a user interface, you can preview the app in a tab in ServiceNow Studio to inspect how it looks.

    You can keep prompting to refine the app, its appearance, and functionality. For more information, see [Edit an existing application using Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/edit-an-existing-application-using-build-agent.md).


## Result

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).

For information on troubleshooting issues, see [Issues and solutions in Build Agent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/build-agent-troubleshooting.md).

Build Agent displays the details of your app in a new ServiceNow Studio tab.

\[Omitted image "ba-sns-app-created-v2.png"\] Alt text: Build Agent editor showing the completed Daily Planner Tracker app with generated files organized under Data, User Interface, and Other categories.

If you want to view source code, open the ServiceNow IDE within ServiceNow Studio and select the **Explorer** view from the Navigator panel. The ServiceNow Fluent application code and other source code in the `src` directory appears.

\[Omitted image "build-agent-file-explorer.png"\] Alt text: File Explorer showing project structure with folders and configuration files

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