New Skill

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Skills are the set of commands that are written to accomplish a specific task. New Skill configuration page refers to defining and executing custom skills to automate specific tasks within an organization's environment.

These skills can be written in multiple languages like PowerShell, Perl Python etc. Published skills will be available to create the automation Workflow.

To configure a new skill, perform the following steps:

  1. Navigate to SA > Skills > New Skill.

  2. Enter the required details on the New Skill page.

    Figure: New Skill

  3. Provide all the required details and click submit.

    Language

    You can just select the language you want to write the skill in.

    Language

    Figure: Language drop-down

    Service Automation application supports the following languages:

    • DOS Command

    • Perl

    • PowerShell

    • Python

    • Shell (Windows)

    • Shell (Non-Windows)

    • VB

    Text to Code

    Text to Code allows you to create custom skills by typing a prompt in the input field within the Text to Code window. Upon clicking the Generate button, the system will automatically generate a skill which will be displayed in the skill editor block.

    Figure: Text to Code

    Skill Editor Block

    Type and edit your skill directly within the application using the integrated skill editor block.

    Figure: Skill Editor Block

    1. Information icon i: Input Parameters should be declared as [*VariableName*]. The starting and ending of Output Variables should be declared as [START##VariableName##] and [END##VariableName##].

    2. Theme: Select the desired theme from the available options. Upon selecting a theme, it gets applied to the skill editor.

      Figure: Theme

    3. Load Parameters: Upon clicking this icon , the Input Parameters and Output Variables declared in the skill editor will get updated to the Input and Output tabs present in the right accordion

    Review Your Skill

    This option can be used to check and validate the skill entered in the block, ensuring it is correct and error-free.

    If you wish to keep the original skill code, select the first option. If you wish to use the Text to code recommended code, select the second option.


    Figure: Text to code

    Skill Details

    Specify the following parameters under skill details.

    Figure: Skill Details tab

    1. Skill Name – Specify the skill name.

    2. Category – Select the desired category for the skill.

    3. Status – By default, status will be in Draft mode. Specify the status of the skill as required. Available options are as follows:

      • Draft

      • Published

    4. Description – Specify the description of the skill.

    Note

    In Draft mode, only the Skill Name and Status fields are mandatory, all other fields are optional.

    Execution

    Specify the following parameters under execution.

    Figure: Execution tab

    1. Max Run Time (In Mins) - Specify the maximum run time for the skill in terms of minutes. By default, it is saved as 0, if maximum run time is not specified.

    2. Remote Execution By - Administrators can configure the skills to capture the account under which the skill should get executed through Remote Executor Tool by selecting System Account or CI Account.

    Input

    Once you click on Load Parameters, the parameters specified in the skill are displayed under Input tab.

    Figure: Input Tab

    Output

    Once you click on Load Parameters, the output variables specified in the skill are displayed in Output Variable drop-down under Output tab. You can map the Output Name to the required Output Value.

    Figure: Output tab

    By default, the following options are available in Output Value drop-down list:

    • Execution Output

    • Execution Error

    Parsing

    Click on Parsing if you want to parse skill output using Keywords.

    Figure: Parsing tab

    By default, the following options are available in Criteria drop-down list.

    • Remove Before Keyword 1: This option removes the content before the occurrence of Keyword 1 in your skill output.

    • Remove Between Keyword 1 and Keyword 2: This option removes the skill output in between Keywords 1 & 2.

    • Remove After Keyword 1: This option removes the skill output after Keyword 1.

    • Remove Keyword 1: This option removes Keyword 1 from your skill output.


      Select the output variable in the Variable field. Specify Keyword 1 and/or Keyword 2 in the corresponding fields.

    Criteria

    Specify the condition to define the success or failure of the skill.

    Figure: Criteria tab

    • Slide the Active toggle to make the success criteria on.

    • Select the variable from the list.

    • Choose the operator from the list.

    • Specify the value for the condition.

    Relationship

    Relationship tab displays workflow names that use skills with X-Version, including redirect links. Initially, the tab will be empty until workflows are created and associated with the skills. Once you create workflows using these skills, the tab will display the workflow names, providing easy navigation.

Actions

Action Name

Description

Show List

Navigates the user back to the list view displaying all available skills, allowing quick access to existing skills without losing context.

Change History

Displays the version and modification history of the skill, enabling administrators to review past changes and track updates over time.

Import From Existing

Allows creation of a new skill by importing configuration details from an existing skill, reducing manual setup effort.

Import From File

Enables administrators to import skill definitions from an external file, supporting reuse and migration of skills across environments.

Export To Node

Exports the skill configuration for use in a node‑based or execution environment, supporting integration and portability scenarios.

Export to JSON

Exports the skill definition in JSON format, allowing administrators to store, review, or share the configuration outside the application.