Developer Pro v2.1.0 Venus

NowDev Assistant is a high-performance Chrome extension built for professional ServiceNow developers. It streamlines everything from GlideRecord generation to real-time AJAX debugging and live code execution.

The Venus release (v2.1.0) represents a complete ground-up rebuild. We moved from a monolithic script-injector to a modern, service-oriented React application with Lazy-Mounted Tab Architecture. This ensures that NowDev is faster, more secure, and integrates deeper into the ServiceNow UI than ever before.

🏗️ Core Architecture

The architecture of NowDev Assistant v2 is designed for total isolation and high-fidelity interaction with the ServiceNow environment.

Shadow DOM Isolation

NowDev mounts its entire UI inside a Shadow Root. This ensures that the extension's CSS never conflicts with ServiceNow's global styles, and vice versa. You get a perfectly consistent UI regardless of which ServiceNow version (UI16 or Polaris) you are using.

Native Push Layout

Unlike other extensions that overlap your work, NowDev Assistant v2 uses a Native Push Layout. When the sidebar opens, it dynamically resizes the ServiceNow body width. This "pushes" the main workspace—including the header and the gsft_main iframe—to the left, keeping everything visible and accessible.

🔍 The Form Center

The Form Center is the centerpiece of version 2. It consolidates every form-specific development tool into a single, tabbed workspace. When you open a record, the Form Center automatically synchronizes with the active form context.

1. Explorer (Data Spy)

The Explorer provides a transparent view into the record's data structure. It automatically fetches every field associated with the current form, including hidden fields and system columns.

• Field Metadata: View internal column names, database labels, and data types (e.g., String, Reference, Choice).
• Value Analysis: See the raw database value alongside the display value for every field.
• Reference Tracking: Click any reference field to instantly navigate to the related record definition.
• Robust XML Parsing: Support for all table names, including those with special characters or leading underscores.
• Smart Filters: Use the Null and Not Null filters to isolate empty or populated fields during debugging.

2. Logic (Configuration Peek) Updated

Stop hunting through the Navigator for related scripts. The Logic sub-tab discovers every configuration governing the current form.

• Categorized Groups: View Business Rules, Client Scripts, UI Policies, and Data Policies in organized lists.
• Hierarchy Discovery: NowDev automatically pulls logic from parent tables. If you are on an incident form, you will also see logic inherited from the task table.
• Status Indicators: Every item is tagged with an Active/Inactive badge and sorted alphabetically for quick scanning.

3. Ajax Tracker (Debugger)

A real-time monitor for background communication. Every GlideAjax call made by the page is intercepted and logged.

• Payload Inspection: View the exact parameters, Script Include names, and function calls being sent to the server.
• Response Analysis: See the raw XML or parsed JSON answer returned by the server.
• Source Identification: Calls are tagged with DEV badges if they come from custom scripts and FORM badges if they originate from the workspace frame.

4. Executor (Live Scratchpad)

The Executor is a full-featured JavaScript scratchpad that runs directly in the ServiceNow context.

• Globals Access: Write code using g_form, g_user, g_scratchpad, and GlideAjax.
• Integrated Terminal: View all console.log and console.error outputs along with the script's return value.

5. Files (Attachment Manager)

Manage record attachments without the slow native ServiceNow popup.

• Instant Previews: View high-quality image thumbnails directly in the sidebar.
• Bulk Download: Download every attachment on the current record as a single ZIP file with one click.

📦 App Navigator

The App Navigator is a dedicated browser for your scoped applications. It replaces the slow global navigator with a focused view of your current work.

• Searchable Apps: Use the searchable Combobox to find any scoped application or update set.
• Metadata Tree: Browse all application files (Tables, Business Rules, UI Actions, etc.) grouped by their class.
• Integrated Flow: Clicking any metadata file opens it directly in the gsft_main iframe, allowing you to browse your app's architecture without losing your place.

🌐 Environment Switcher

NowDev makes working across multiple ServiceNow instances safer and faster.

Multi-Node Management

Configure your development, testing, and production instances in the settings. You can categorize nodes and store their URLs for instant access.

Visual Guardrails

When you are active on a configured instance, NowDev Assistant injects a color-coded visual guardrail onto the host page. For example, a Red border can be configured for Production to prevent accidental data modifications.

Contextual Switching

The 1-click switch allows you to open the record you are currently viewing in a different environment. If you find a bug in Prod, you can open that exact record in your Dev instance with one click.

⌨️ Code Generator Syntax

The core engine of NowDev allows you to write GlideRecord queries using intuitive natural language. This detailed syntax guide covers all supported operations.

• gr: Standard GlideRecord operation.
• ga: GlideAggregate operation for data counting and grouping.
• [operation]: Defaults to query. Also supports insert, update, and delete.
• <table>: The internal name of the ServiceNow table (e.g., incident, sys_user).

Supported Operations

1. Query Records

Used to fetch data from a table. This is the default operation if none is specified.

gr incident where active = true, priority = 1

2. Update Records

Updates existing records matching the criteria. Requires a set clause.

gr update incident set state = 2, assigned_to = me where priority = 1

3. Insert a New Record

Creates a new record in the specified table.

gr insert incident set short_description = test ticket, priority = 2

4. Delete Records

Removes records matching the filter criteria.

gr delete incident where state = 6

Date Shortcuts

NowDev supports a wide range of natural language keywords for date fields. These are automatically converted to gs.beginningOf...() or gs.daysAgo() methods.

Special Keywords

Enhance your queries with built-in logic shortcuts:

• me: Automatically resolves to the current user's Sys ID (gs.getUserID()).
• null / notnull: Shortcuts for addNullQuery() and addNotNullQuery().
• active: Injects addActiveQuery() into the generated script.

Advanced Code Examples

Aggregate Data (ga)

Count and group records using GlideAggregate.

ga incident where active = true group by priority aggregate count, avg(priority)

Join Queries

Perform a join between two tables using the join clause.

gr task where active = true join incident on task_id = sys_id

Multi-Value & Encoded Queries

Handle complex lists and existing ServiceNow encoded query strings.

gr incident where state in [1, 2, 3]
gr incident where state = 1 | 2 | 3
gr incident encoded active=true^priority=1

📃 List Helper

The List Helper allows you to extract data from any ServiceNow list view without running database exports. It is located in the main navigation rail.

• Column Selection: A dropdown lists every column currently visible in your list view.
• Value Extraction: Once a column is selected, the tool pulls every value from the current page into a clean text list.
• CSV Download: Export your results instantly as a CSV file for reporting or data migration.

📝 Release Notes

🔐 Security & Privacy

NowDev Assistant is built with a "Privacy First" philosophy. It is designed to be as transparent and secure as the ServiceNow platform itself.

• Direct Integration: The extension does not use any external APIs for core processing. All GlideRecord generation and data parsing happens locally in your browser.
• Session Security: NowDev uses your existing, active ServiceNow session. It never asks for or stores your credentials.
• Isolation: The use of Shadow DOM and Isolated Worlds in Chrome ensures that your extension data cannot be accessed by other scripts on the page.

❓ Troubleshooting