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Log Viewer

Monitor ServiceNow system logs in real-time from a floating Sidekick window.

The Log Viewer shows system log entries in real-time, right next to your ServiceNow instance. No need to open syslog_list.do in another tab — logs stream live into the Sidekick window as they happen.

Log Viewer showing real-time log entries in the Sidekick window <!-- Screenshot needed: Log Viewer with a few log entries, filters visible -->

Opening the Log Viewer

Use the slash command /sklog or open Sidekick and select the Log Viewer tab.

How It Works

Once open, the Log Viewer polls your instance for new log entries and displays them in a scrollable, filterable list. Each entry shows:

  • Timestamp — When the log was created
  • Source — The script or component that generated the log
  • Level — Info, warning, error, or debug
  • Message — The log content

New entries appear at the top (newest first) and the list auto-scrolls to show the latest entry unless you've scrolled up to review older logs.

Filtering Logs

The Log Viewer includes filters to help you focus on relevant entries:

By Level

Toggle visibility for each log level:

  • Error — Critical failures and exceptions
  • Warning — Non-critical issues
  • Info — General information
  • Debug — Detailed debugging output

By Source

Filter by the script or component that generated the log. Start typing to narrow the list.

By Message Content

Use the search field to filter log entries containing specific text. Useful for finding logs related to a particular record, script, or error message.

Use Cases

Debugging a Business Rule

  1. Open Log Viewer with /sklog
  2. Trigger the business rule by saving a record
  3. Watch the log entries appear in real-time
  4. Filter by source to isolate your business rule's output

Monitoring Script Includes

  1. Add gs.info() or gs.debug() statements to your script
  2. Open Log Viewer
  3. Execute the code path
  4. See the output immediately without switching tabs

Tracking Down Errors

  1. Open Log Viewer and filter to Error level only
  2. Reproduce the issue in your instance
  3. Review the error details, stack trace, and source

Tips

  • Pause auto-scroll — Scroll up in the log list to pause auto-scroll. Click the "Jump to latest" button to resume.
  • Copy entries — Click on a log entry to copy its details to your clipboard.
  • Clear the view — Use the clear button to reset the log view without affecting actual system logs.