# Getting Started

You have Blueprints installed and a role assigned. This page walks you through opening the app for the first time, what you see, and what to do next based on your role.

{% hint style="info" %}
Blueprints runs inside your ServiceNow instance. No separate infrastructure. Your data stays where it is.
{% endhint %}

## What YouDesign Blueprints does

Blueprints is a ServiceNow amplifier. It runs directly on your data and unlocks capabilities that were not previously possible. Structured visual blueprints you can see, measure, and govern.

| You can                                           | How it works                                                                              |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Start from a reusable template                    | Templates define the structure: tables, fields, filters, relationships, and min/max rules |
| Build a blueprint from real or planned records    | Pull live ServiceNow data onto the canvas, or stage future-state elements                 |
| Define or review relationships between elements   | Existing relationships load automatically. Add, edit, or remove as needed                 |
| Measure compliance against template rules         | Live per-element and per-blueprint scoring. Green, amber, red.                            |
| Share the result in a read-only presentation view | Presenter Mode. No edit rights, no exposed instance.                                      |

## What you need before you start

| Prerequisite                    | Detail                                                                                                           |
| ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Blueprints installed            | On a sub-production instance (trial) or licensed instance. See Installation and Setup                            |
| A role assigned to you          | Blueprint Template Editor, Blueprint Editor, Blueprint Committer, or Blueprint Viewer. See Roles and Permissions |
| At least one template available | Ships with the instance or created by a Blueprint Template Editor                                                |

If you can open the app but you do not see actions such as **New Blueprint**, **Manage Templates**, or **Commit Changes**, that usually means your role does not include that permission. See [Roles and Permissions](/blueprints/start-here/roles-and-permissions.md).

## The four concepts to learn first

<table><thead><tr><th width="374">Concept</th><th>What it is</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Template</td><td>Defines the structure of a blueprint: which tables, which fields, which filters, which relationships, and min/max rules</td></tr><tr><td>Blueprint</td><td>A working instance created from a template. Holds selected elements, layout, future-state work, and review context</td></tr><tr><td>Save/Update</td><td>Stores current template or blueprint work</td></tr><tr><td>Commit Changes</td><td>Publishes approved blueprint changes back to ServiceNow. Separate workflow from normal saving</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Your first workflow

### 1. Open Home

{% hint style="info" %}
**Who this workflow is for**

The workflow below is for users with a Blueprint Template Editor, Blueprint Editor, or Blueprint Committer role. Blueprint Viewers land in Presenter Mode and can review existing blueprints. See [Roles and Permissions](/blueprints/start-here/roles-and-permissions.md) for what each role can do.
{% endhint %}

The app opens on Home. From Home you search templates, create blueprints, manage existing ones, and open Auditor.

### 2. Create a blueprint from a template

On Home, click **New Blueprint** to open the **Select a Template** dialog. Then:

1. Search by name or filter by **Category** to find the right template
2. Click the chevron on a template to inspect its tables, relationships, and rules first if you want
3. Click the template to create the blueprint

If you only need to review rules without building a blueprint, open **Auditor** instead and choose a template there.

### 3. Add data to the blueprint

Inside the Blueprint Editor:

* use the **Data Hub** on the left to search tables and elements
* drag a record onto the matching table card on the canvas, or double-click it to add it
* records that are already in the blueprint show a green check in the Data Hub

### 4. Review details and issues

Use the **Data panel** on the right to:

* edit blueprint metadata such as name, description, status, and target date
* review or edit element fields
* inspect relationships
* see missing required values and relationship issues

### 5. Save your work

Use **Save** in the header to store your current work. After the first save, the button changes to **Update** for subsequent saves.

The editor also protects unsaved changes. If you try to leave the page with pending edits, an **Unsaved changes** dialog asks whether you want to **Save and leave** or **Leave without saving**. Press Esc to dismiss the dialog and stay on the page.

<figure><img src="/files/zWJ6AIKhg65peioamN9M" alt="Unsaved changes dialog with Save and leave and Leave without saving buttons" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 6. Review compliance

Use the compliance score in the header or on Home to see whether the blueprint currently satisfies the rules defined by its template.

If you need a deeper, element-by-element review, use [Compliance and Auditor](/blueprints/review-and-share/compliance.md).

### 7. Present or share

Use **Present** when you want a read-only view for workshops, reviews, or leadership updates. See [Presenter Mode and Sharing](/blueprints/review-and-share/presenting.md).

## Where to go next

* If you manage blueprint standards: [Templates](/blueprints/work-in-the-app/templates.md)
* If you build drafts and update data: [Blueprints](/blueprints/work-in-the-app/blueprints.md)
* If you work mostly with canvas content: [Elements and Relationships](/blueprints/work-in-the-app/elements-and-relationships.md)
* If you review quality or prepare audits: [Compliance and Auditor](/blueprints/review-and-share/compliance.md)
* If you want a fast reference: [Keyboard Shortcuts](/blueprints/personalize/keyboard-shortcuts.md) and [Glossary](/blueprints/reference/glossary.md)


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