ServiceNow SDK

Use the ServiceNow software development kit (SDK) to add JavaScript modules and third-party libraries to applications locally and upload changes to an instance of the Now Platform.

Overview

With the ServiceNow SDK, developers can create and modify scoped applications with custom modules and third-party libraries in Visual Studio Code and deploy those applications to a non-production instance on the Washington DC release. Writing ServiceNow applications outside of a ServiceNow instance enables you to use industry-standard development practices and familiar tools and catch errors at build-time rather than at run-time only.

For more information see the SDK Overview documentation or the CLI Overview

Installation

Install the ServiceNow software development kit (SDK) locally using Node Package Manager (npm).

Before you begin

Your system must meet the following requirements to use npm to install the SDK:

• Node.js v16.16.0 or later
• npm v8.11.0 or later

To install or upgrade Node.js or npm, see the installation instructions on the npm website.

Procedure

1. Open a command-line tool on your system.
2. Verify that your system meets the requirements. a. Enter node –v​ to check if you have Node.js installed and which version. b. Enter npm –v​ to check if you have npm installed and which version.
3. Enter the following command to install the SDK:

npm install --global @servicenow/sdk

Usage

Authentication

Authenticate with a ServiceNow instance using a user account with an admin role.

now-sdk auth save default

View credentials saved in the device keychain or credential manager on your system.

now-sdk auth list

Creating an app

Create a new scoped application, optionally including a sample table.

Note: Replace {vendorprefix} with your organization's unique scope prefix.

now-sdk create sdk_demo x_{vendorprefix}_demo --sampleTable

Building code changes

Compile source files and generate a deployable package. Third-party library dependencies are converted into XML files that can be installed with the application.

now-sdk build

Deploying app updates

Deploy an application to an instance. Before using the deploy command, you must use the build command to generate a deployable package.

now-sdk deploy

Synchronizing changes from the instance

Download application metadata from an instance and update the metadata XML files in your local application to match.

now-sdk fetch

What to do next

Use the ServiceNow SDK to create a scoped application or convert an existing application for use with the SDK. For more information, see Create or convert an application with the ServiceNow SDK.