skills/admin/workflow-creation/SKILL.md
Programmatic workflow creation via API/MCP - build complete workflows without the UI editor
npx skillsauth add happy-technologies-llc/happy-servicenow-skills workflow-creationInstall this skill globally with one command. Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf.
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This skill enables you to create complete ServiceNow workflows entirely via API/MCP without using the visual Workflow Editor. This is essential for:
Key Discovery: Activities store their logic in the input field as JavaScript code. This enables full programmatic workflow creation by:
admin or workflow_adminadmin/update-set-management - Capture workflows in update setsUnderstanding the workflow tables is critical for programmatic creation.
wf_workflow (base definition)
|
+-- wf_workflow_version (published versions)
|
+-- wf_activity (activities with scripts)
| |
| +-- wf_element_definition (activity types)
| +-- wf_stage (optional stages)
|
+-- wf_transition (connects activities)
| |
| +-- wf_condition (transition logic)
|
+-- wf_condition (workflow-level conditions)
| Table | Purpose | Key Fields |
|-------|---------|------------|
| wf_workflow | Base workflow definition | name, table, description |
| wf_workflow_version | Versioned workflow | workflow, table, start, published |
| wf_activity | Individual activities | workflow_version, input, x, y |
| wf_transition | Activity connections | from, to, condition |
| wf_condition | Transition conditions | activity, condition, else_flag |
| wf_element_definition | Activity type definitions | name, default_input |
First, identify available activity types (wf_element_definition).
Using MCP:
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
table_name: wf_element_definition
query: active=true
fields: sys_id,name,category,description
limit: 50
Common Activity Types:
| sys_id | Name | Use Case | |--------|------|----------| | 0a6c97790a0a0b2756919eb960284334 | Notification | Send email/SMS | | 1ca8d7cf0a0a0b265e9a000c2c08248c | Set Values | Set field values | | 35433da80a0a029a0028c639a1e51eb4 | Approval - User | User approval | | 354e911f0a0a029a00e6a0e6ad74206f | Approval - Group | Group approval | | 283e8bb80a2581021d036a052ffc3433 | Approval Coordinator | Multi-approval container | | 38891b6f0a0a0b1e00efdfdd77602027 | Catalog Task | Create catalog task | | 3961a1da0a0a0b5c00ecd84822f70d85 | Timer | Wait/delay | | 396807940a0a0b5c00afd9f67d9fd7a2 | Log Message | Debug logging | | 5994b389c0a80011000e64de81b1864c | Subflow | Call another workflow | | 7c9a2ba9c0a801650021ada408de0ebd | Join | Wait for multiple paths | | 7a8ea386c0a80066179bc1f5186e1d2b | Rollback | Go back to earlier activity |
Note: Custom script activities can omit activity_definition entirely.
Create the workflow container record.
Using MCP (Preferred):
Tool: SN-Create-Workflow
Parameters:
name: "P1 Incident Auto-Assignment"
table: "incident"
description: "Auto-assign P1 incidents to on-call engineer"
condition: "priority=1^state=1"
Using SN-Create-Record:
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_workflow
data:
name: "P1 Incident Auto-Assignment"
description: "Auto-assign P1 incidents to on-call engineer"
template: false
access: "public"
Important: The name and table fields become read-only after creation. Choose carefully.
Save the sys_id: workflow_sys_id
Create a version that holds the actual workflow logic.
Using MCP:
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_workflow_version
data:
name: "P1 Incident Auto-Assignment"
workflow: [workflow_sys_id]
table: "incident"
condition: "priority=1^state=1"
active: true
published: false
order: 100
run_multiple: false
after_business_rules: true
Key Fields:
| Field | Purpose | Notes |
|-------|---------|-------|
| table | Target table | REQUIRED - what records trigger this |
| condition | Trigger condition | Encoded query format |
| active | Is active | Set true for workflow to run |
| published | Is published | Set false initially, publish after testing |
| run_multiple | Allow concurrent instances | Usually false |
| after_business_rules | When to run | Usually true |
Save the sys_id: version_sys_id
Create each activity with its embedded script.
Activity 1: Start Activity
Using MCP (Preferred):
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "Check On-Call Engineer"
x: 100
y: 100
script: |
// Find on-call engineer
var oncall = new GlideRecord('on_call_rotation');
oncall.addQuery('active', true);
oncall.addQuery('group', current.assignment_group);
oncall.query();
if (oncall.next()) {
workflow.scratchpad.oncall_engineer = oncall.user.toString();
gs.info('Found on-call: ' + oncall.user.name);
} else {
workflow.scratchpad.oncall_engineer = '';
gs.warn('No on-call engineer found');
}
Using SN-Create-Record:
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_activity
data:
name: "Check On-Call Engineer"
workflow_version: [version_sys_id]
x: 100
y: 100
width: 150
height: 80
input: |
// Script content here...
Save the sys_id: activity_start_id
Activity 2: Decision/Branch Activity
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "Assign to On-Call"
x: 250
y: 100
script: |
// Assign incident based on on-call lookup
if (workflow.scratchpad.oncall_engineer) {
current.assigned_to = workflow.scratchpad.oncall_engineer;
current.state = 2; // In Progress
current.work_notes = 'Auto-assigned to on-call engineer by workflow';
current.update();
answer = 'assigned';
gs.info('Assigned to: ' + current.assigned_to.name);
} else {
answer = 'no_oncall';
gs.warn('Could not assign - no on-call engineer');
}
Save the sys_id: activity_assign_id
Activity 3: Notification Activity
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "Send Notification"
x: 400
y: 100
type: "notification"
script: |
// Send email notification
var email = new GlideEmailOutbound();
email.setSubject('P1 Incident Assigned: ' + current.number);
email.setFrom('[email protected]');
email.addAddress(current.assigned_to.email);
email.setBody('You have been assigned P1 incident: ' + current.number + '\n' +
'Priority: 1\n' +
'Short Description: ' + current.short_description);
email.send();
gs.info('Notification sent to: ' + current.assigned_to.email);
Save the sys_id: activity_notify_id
Activity 4: Escalation Activity (Branch Path)
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "Escalate to Manager"
x: 250
y: 250
script: |
// Escalate to manager
var manager = current.assignment_group.manager;
if (manager) {
current.assigned_to = manager;
current.escalation = 1;
current.work_notes = 'Escalated to manager - no on-call engineer available';
current.update();
gs.info('Escalated to manager: ' + manager.name);
}
Save the sys_id: activity_escalate_id
Define conditions for branching paths.
Condition 1: "Assigned" Path
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_condition
data:
activity: [activity_assign_id]
name: "Assigned Successfully"
short_description: "On-call engineer found and assigned"
condition: "answer=assigned"
order: 1
Save the sys_id: condition_assigned_id
Condition 2: "No On-Call" Path
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_condition
data:
activity: [activity_assign_id]
name: "No On-Call"
short_description: "No on-call engineer found"
condition: "answer=no_oncall"
order: 2
Save the sys_id: condition_no_oncall_id
Else Condition (Default Path):
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_condition
data:
activity: [activity_assign_id]
name: "Default"
short_description: "Default path"
else_flag: true
order: 99
Link activities together with transitions.
Using MCP (Preferred):
Tool: SN-Create-Transition
Parameters:
from_activity_id: [activity_start_id]
to_activity_id: [activity_assign_id]
Transition 1: Start to Assign
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_transition
data:
from: [activity_start_id]
to: [activity_assign_id]
order: 1
Transition 2: Assign to Notify (Conditional)
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_transition
data:
from: [activity_assign_id]
to: [activity_notify_id]
condition: [condition_assigned_id]
order: 1
Transition 3: Assign to Escalate (Conditional)
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_transition
data:
from: [activity_assign_id]
to: [activity_escalate_id]
condition: [condition_no_oncall_id]
order: 2
Transition 4: Escalate to Notify (After Escalation)
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_transition
data:
from: [activity_escalate_id]
to: [activity_notify_id]
order: 1
Update the workflow version with the start activity and publish.
Using MCP (Preferred):
Tool: SN-Publish-Workflow
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
start_activity_id: [activity_start_id]
Using SN-Update-Record:
Tool: SN-Update-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_workflow_version
sys_id: [version_sys_id]
data:
start: [activity_start_id]
published: true
Query to verify workflow structure.
Check Activities:
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
table_name: wf_activity
query: workflow_version=[version_sys_id]
fields: sys_id,name,x,y
Check Transitions:
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
table_name: wf_transition
query: from.workflow_version=[version_sys_id]
fields: sys_id,from.name,to.name,condition.name
Check Workflow Version:
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
table_name: wf_workflow_version
query: sys_id=[version_sys_id]
fields: name,table,start.name,published,active
// The current record being processed
current
// Workflow scratchpad - share data between activities
workflow.scratchpad.your_variable = 'value';
// Activity result - determines which transition to follow
answer = 'approved'; // String that matches condition
// Current activity object
activity
// Workflow context
workflow.name
workflow.context.sys_id
Pass Data Between Activities:
// Activity 1: Store data
workflow.scratchpad.user_tier = current.u_tier;
workflow.scratchpad.requires_approval = true;
workflow.scratchpad.approval_reasons = [];
// Activity 2: Use stored data
if (workflow.scratchpad.requires_approval) {
var reasons = workflow.scratchpad.approval_reasons;
// Process reasons...
}
Branch Logic with Answer Variable:
// Set answer to determine which transition fires
if (current.priority == 1) {
answer = 'high_priority';
} else if (current.priority == 2) {
answer = 'medium_priority';
} else {
answer = 'low_priority';
}
// Create transitions with conditions: answer=high_priority, etc.
Error Handling:
try {
var gr = new GlideRecord('incident');
gr.get(current.sys_id);
// Processing...
answer = 'success';
} catch(e) {
gs.error('Workflow error in ' + activity.name + ': ' + e.message);
workflow.scratchpad.error_message = e.message;
answer = 'error';
}
Logging for Debugging:
gs.info('[Workflow: ' + workflow.name + '] Activity: ' + activity.name);
gs.info('[Workflow] Processing incident: ' + current.number);
gs.info('[Workflow] Scratchpad data: ' + JSON.stringify(workflow.scratchpad));
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "Manager Approval"
x: 300
y: 150
type: "35433da80a0a029a0028c639a1e51eb4"
script: |
// Create approval request for manager
var approval = new GlideRecord('sysapproval_approver');
approval.initialize();
approval.document_id = current.sys_id;
approval.source_table = current.getTableName();
approval.approver = current.opened_by.manager;
approval.state = 'requested';
approval.insert();
gs.info('Approval created for: ' + current.opened_by.manager.name);
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "CAB Approval"
x: 300
y: 150
type: "354e911f0a0a029a00e6a0e6ad74206f"
script: |
// Create group approval request
var approval = new GlideRecord('sysapproval_group');
approval.initialize();
approval.document_id = current.sys_id;
approval.source_table = current.getTableName();
approval.assignment_group = 'CAB'; // sys_id or name
approval.state = 'requested';
approval.insert();
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "Create Fulfillment Task"
x: 350
y: 150
type: "38891b6f0a0a0b1e00efdfdd77602027"
script: |
// Create catalog task
var task = new GlideRecord('sc_task');
task.initialize();
task.request_item = current.sys_id;
task.short_description = 'Fulfill: ' + current.short_description;
task.assignment_group = current.assignment_group;
task.state = 1; // Open
var taskId = task.insert();
workflow.scratchpad.task_sys_id = taskId;
gs.info('Created task: ' + task.number);
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "Wait 24 Hours"
x: 400
y: 150
type: "3961a1da0a0a0b5c00ecd84822f70d85"
script: |
// Timer configuration is typically in vars field
// This activity waits before proceeding
gs.info('Timer started - will continue in 24 hours');
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "Send Email"
x: 450
y: 150
type: "0a6c97790a0a0b2756919eb960284334"
script: |
// Send notification
var email = new GlideEmailOutbound();
email.setSubject('Request Update: ' + current.number);
email.setFrom('[email protected]');
email.addAddress(current.opened_by.email);
email.setBody('Your request ' + current.number + ' has been processed.\n\n' +
'Status: ' + current.state.getDisplayValue());
email.send();
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "Update Record Status"
x: 500
y: 150
type: "1ca8d7cf0a0a0b265e9a000c2c08248c"
script: |
// Set field values
current.state = 3; // Closed
current.close_code = 'Resolved';
current.close_notes = 'Completed via workflow';
current.closed_at = gs.nowDateTime();
current.update();
Tool: SN-Create-Activity
Parameters:
workflow_version_id: [version_sys_id]
name: "Wait for All Approvals"
x: 400
y: 200
type: "7c9a2ba9c0a801650021ada408de0ebd"
script: |
// Join waits for all incoming transitions to complete
gs.info('All paths completed - continuing workflow');
Origin (0,0)
+-----------------------------------------> X (horizontal)
|
| [Start] [Process] [End]
| (100,100) (250,100) (400,100)
|
| [Branch A]
| (250,200)
|
| [Branch B]
| (250,300)
|
v
Y (vertical)
Linear Flow:
[Start] ---> [Process] ---> [End]
(100,100) (250,100) (400,100)
Decision Branch:
+---> [Yes Path] --+
/ (250,100) \
[Decision] ---+ +---> [Join]
(100,150) \ / (400,150)
+---> [No Path] ---+
(250,200)
Parallel Paths:
+---> [Task 1] ---+
/ (200,100) \
[Start] -+ +---> [Join] ---> [End]
(100,150) \ / (400,150) (550,150)
+---> [Task 2] ---+
(200,200)
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
table_name: wf_activity
query: workflow_version=[version_sys_id]
fields: name,x,y
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
table_name: wf_transition
query: from.workflow_version=[version_sys_id]
fields: from.name,to.name,condition.name
published: false during testing. The workflow will still run for manual testing.Enable Workflow Logging:
// Add to activities for debugging
gs.info('[WF-DEBUG] Activity: ' + activity.name);
gs.info('[WF-DEBUG] Current: ' + current.number);
gs.info('[WF-DEBUG] Scratchpad: ' + JSON.stringify(workflow.scratchpad));
View Workflow Context:
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
table_name: wf_context
query: workflow_version=[version_sys_id]^state=executing
fields: sys_id,state,started,scratchpad
View Activity History:
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
table_name: wf_history
query: context.workflow_version=[version_sys_id]
fields: activity.name,state,started,ended,output
orderBy: started
Find Failed Contexts:
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
table_name: wf_context
query: workflow_version=[version_sys_id]^state=cancelled
fields: sys_id,state,result,scratchpad
Find Stuck Activities:
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
table_name: wf_executing
query: context.workflow_version=[version_sys_id]
fields: activity.name,state,started
Create New Version:
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_workflow_version
data:
name: "P1 Incident Auto-Assignment v2"
workflow: [workflow_sys_id]
table: "incident"
condition: "priority=1^state=1"
active: true
published: false
Then recreate activities and transitions for the new version.
Tool: SN-Update-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_workflow_version
sys_id: [old_version_sys_id]
data:
active: false
Tool: SN-Update-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_workflow_version
sys_id: [new_version_sys_id]
data:
published: true
| Tool | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| SN-Create-Workflow | Create workflow with activities in one call |
| SN-Create-Activity | Add individual activity |
| SN-Create-Transition | Link activities together |
| SN-Publish-Workflow | Set start activity and publish |
| SN-Create-Record | Generic record creation |
| SN-Update-Record | Update existing records |
| SN-Query-Table | Query workflow tables |
| Endpoint | Method | Purpose |
|----------|--------|---------|
| /api/now/table/wf_workflow | POST | Create workflow |
| /api/now/table/wf_workflow_version | POST | Create version |
| /api/now/table/wf_activity | POST | Create activity |
| /api/now/table/wf_transition | POST | Create transition |
| /api/now/table/wf_condition | POST | Create condition |
| /api/now/table/wf_workflow_version/{id} | PATCH | Update/publish |
[Process] - [Trigger] format (e.g., "Approval - High Priority Change")published: false before publishinggs.info() statements for debuggingworkflow.scratchpad, not global variablesSymptom: Workflow created but not executing Cause: Missing or incorrect trigger condition, or workflow not active/published Solution:
active: true on workflow versionpublished: true on workflow versionafter_business_rules settingSymptom: Workflow starts but specific activity skipped Cause: Missing transition or incorrect condition Solution:
from=[activity_sys_id]answer value from previous activityinput fieldSymptom: Workflow context remains in "executing" state Cause: Activity script error or infinite loop Solution:
Tool: SN-Update-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_context
sys_id: [context_sys_id]
data:
state: cancelled
Symptom: Workflow takes wrong path Cause: Condition syntax or answer value mismatch Solution:
answer=value (no quotes)answer variable is set correctly in activity scriptelse_flag: true for default/fallback pathSymptom: Activity fails with script error Cause: Invalid JavaScript or API usage Solution:
current, workflow available)try {
// Script logic
} catch(e) {
gs.error('Activity error: ' + e.message);
answer = 'error';
}
Tool: SN-Create-Workflow
Parameters:
name: "Simple Approval"
table: "change_request"
description: "Basic change approval workflow"
condition: "type=normal"
activities:
- name: "Request Approval"
x: 100
y: 100
script: |
var approval = new GlideRecord('sysapproval_approver');
approval.initialize();
approval.document_id = current.sys_id;
approval.source_table = 'change_request';
approval.approver = current.assignment_group.manager;
approval.state = 'requested';
approval.insert();
workflow.scratchpad.approval_id = approval.sys_id;
- name: "Check Approval Status"
x: 250
y: 100
script: |
var approval = new GlideRecord('sysapproval_approver');
approval.get(workflow.scratchpad.approval_id);
answer = approval.state.toString();
- name: "Approved Actions"
x: 400
y: 50
script: |
current.state = 'authorize';
current.work_notes = 'Change approved by workflow';
current.update();
- name: "Rejected Actions"
x: 400
y: 150
script: |
current.state = 'cancelled';
current.work_notes = 'Change rejected by workflow';
current.update();
transitions:
- from: 0
to: 1
- from: 1
to: 2
condition: "answer=approved"
- from: 1
to: 3
condition: "answer=rejected"
Creating a workflow with parallel approvals that join before completion.
Step 1: Create Base Structure
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
table_name: wf_workflow
data:
name: "Multi-Level Approval"
description: "Requires both manager and director approval"
Step 2: Create Activities (Create 6 activities: Start, Manager Approval, Director Approval, Join, Approved, Rejected)
Step 3: Create Parallel Transitions
// Start -> Manager Approval
// Start -> Director Approval (parallel path)
// Manager Approval -> Join
// Director Approval -> Join
// Join -> Approved (if all approved)
// Join -> Rejected (if any rejected)
// Complete workflow for routing incidents based on category
// 1. Create workflow
SN-Create-Record: wf_workflow
name: "Incident Auto-Router"
description: "Route incidents to appropriate team"
// 2. Create version
SN-Create-Record: wf_workflow_version
table: "incident"
condition: "active=true^assignment_groupISEMPTY"
// 3. Create routing activity
SN-Create-Activity:
name: "Route by Category"
script: |
var category = current.category.toString();
var routing = {
'network': 'Network Support',
'hardware': 'Hardware Support',
'software': 'Software Support',
'database': 'Database Team'
};
var group = routing[category] || 'Service Desk';
var gr = new GlideRecord('sys_user_group');
gr.addQuery('name', group);
gr.query();
if (gr.next()) {
current.assignment_group = gr.sys_id;
current.work_notes = 'Auto-routed to ' + group;
current.update();
answer = 'routed';
} else {
answer = 'no_group';
}
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