ServiceNow Legacy Scripting

ServiceNow legacy scripting uses the GlideRecord API for server-side data access, Script Include classes for reusable server-side logic, Business Rules for server-side automation, and g_form/g_user/g_list for client-side form manipulation. All APIs are described in the reference files below.

References

Read these files when you need them — do not pre-load all references at session start. Paths are relative to the skill root (the directory containing this SKILL.md file).

| File | When to Read | |------|-------------| | references/gliderecord.md | Generating or reviewing GlideRecord queries, CRUD operations, or addQuery/getValue patterns | | references/server-side.md | Generating Script Includes, Business Rules, or using GlideSystem (gs.) logging | | references/client-side.md | Generating Client Scripts using g_form, g_user, or g_list; or any client-side form manipulation | | references/gotchas.md | Before generating or reviewing any ServiceNow script — check for hallucination traps |

Scripts

| Script | When to use | |--------|------------| | scripts/validate-script.sh | When validating a ServiceNow script file for common issues before deploying |

Examples

Use these as structural templates — only read the example that matches your target type, do not pre-load all examples:

| File | Demonstrates | |------|-------------| | assets/examples/gliderecord-crud.js | Complete GlideRecord CREATE, READ (single and multi), UPDATE, DELETE with correct getValue() usage | | assets/examples/script-include-class.js | Script Include using Class.create() pattern with initialize(), utility methods, and type property | | assets/examples/client-script-gform.js | Client Script onLoad/onChange handlers using g_form.getValue(), g_form.setMandatory(), g_user.hasRole() |

Hard Rules

1. Never use GlideRecord when ServiceNow Fluent SDK is present.

If the workspace contains now.config.json, .now.ts files, or imports from @servicenow/sdk/core, the developer is working in a Fluent SDK application. Stop and redirect: "I can see you're working in a Fluent SDK project. Use the sn-sdk-fluent skill to generate typed metadata definitions instead of GlideRecord scripts. GlideRecord is the legacy scripting API and does not work inside Fluent SDK .now.ts files."

1. GlideRecord is server-side only — never generate GlideRecord in a Client Script. Use GlideAjax.

1. Always call query() before next() — while(gr.next()) without gr.query() never executes.

1. Use getValue() in loops — gr.field_name returns a pointer; gr.getValue('field_name') returns the string value.

1. Only use documented API methods — do not invent methods like gr.getField(), gr.setQuery(), or gr.addOrder().

Behavior by Task Type

Generating

1. Check for Fluent SDK signals first (Hard Rule 1) — if detected, redirect immediately; do not generate GlideRecord code.
2. Identify the script context: server-side (Business Rule, Script Include) or client-side (Client Script).
3. For server-side: read references/gliderecord.md for CRUD patterns, references/server-side.md for Script Include structure and Business Rule context variables.
4. For client-side: read references/client-side.md for g_form/g_user/g_list APIs. Never generate GlideRecord in a client script (Hard Rule 2).
5. Use example files in assets/examples/ as working templates.

Reviewing

1. Check Hard Rules 3 and 4: query() before next(), getValue() in loops.
2. Verify no GlideRecord in client-side code (Hard Rule 2).
3. Verify no invented methods — compare against references/gliderecord.md documented API (Hard Rule 5).
4. Run scripts/validate-script.sh <file> to check for GlideRecord in client scripts, bare setAbortAction, and g_form misuse.

Explaining

1. Route the developer to the relevant reference file for detailed method documentation.
2. For Fluent SDK questions, redirect to the sn-sdk-fluent skill.