Sidekick
A suite of debugging tools that float alongside your ServiceNow instance in a Picture-in-Picture window.
Sidekick is a floating debugging suite that opens in a Picture-in-Picture window next to your ServiceNow instance. It gives you instant access to system logs, client state, session details, URL parameters, and UI Builder page state — without leaving your current page.
<!-- Screenshot needed: Sidekick PiP window floating next to a ServiceNow form -->
How It Works
Sidekick uses the Document Picture-in-Picture API to open a small, always-on-top window. This window stays visible even when you switch tabs or scroll through your ServiceNow instance.
You can resize and reposition the Sidekick window to fit your workflow — dock it to the side, keep it in a corner, or drag it to a second monitor.
Browser Requirements
Sidekick requires a Chromium-based browser that supports Document Picture-in-Picture:
| Browser | Minimum Version | Supported |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | 116+ | Yes |
| Edge | 116+ | Yes |
| Firefox | — | Not yet |
| Safari | — | Not yet |
Opening Sidekick
There are several ways to open Sidekick and its tools:
Via Slash Commands
Type any Sidekick command in the slash command bar:
| Command | Tool |
|---|---|
/sk | Open Sidekick (last used tool) |
/sklog | Log Viewer |
/skclientstate | Client State Viewer |
/sksession | Session Inspector |
/skurl | URL Doctor |
/skuib | UIB Page State |
/skform | Form Analyzer |
Via the Sidekick Button
When Sidekick is available, a small button appears in the ServiceNow interface. Click it to open the last-used tool, or hover for a menu of all tools.
The Six Tools
Sidekick includes six specialized debugging tools, each focused on a different aspect of your ServiceNow environment:
Log Viewer
Monitor system logs in real-time without opening a separate browser tab. Filter by source, level, and message content.
Client State Viewer
Inspect the client-side state of Next Experience components. See what data flows through the UI framework in real-time.
Session Inspector
View your current session details at a glance: user info, roles, groups, and active update set. No more navigating to sys_user or checking the update set picker.
URL Doctor
See and edit all URL query parameters for the current page. Quickly toggle parameters, add new ones, or remove existing ones.
UIB Page State
View and edit UI Builder page state values in real-time. Essential for debugging custom Next Experience pages and components.
Form Analyzer
Analyze everything that affects the current form: UI policies, client scripts, business rules, ACLs, data policies, and UI actions. Includes a real-time field monitor that tracks value changes as you work.
Tips
- Keep it open — Sidekick persists across page navigations within your instance. Open it once and it stays with you.
- Switch tools — Use the tab bar at the top of the Sidekick window to switch between tools without reopening.
- Resize freely — Drag any edge of the window to resize. Your preferred size is remembered.
Related
- Log Viewer — Real-time system log monitoring
- Client State Viewer — Next Experience state inspection
- Session Inspector — User, roles, and session details
- URL Doctor — URL parameter management
- UIB Page State — UI Builder page state editing
- Form Analyzer — Form entities, fields, and real-time field monitoring