wzowe

Zowe is an open source framework for IBM z/OS that aims to modernize mainframe development and operations by exposing z/OS services through open interfaces, including REST APIs, a command-line interface, and web-based user interfaces. It is developed under the Linux Foundation’s Open Mainframe Project and brings together IBM, Rocket Software, and other contributors to create a vendor-agnostic platform for mainframe modernization.

Key components of Zowe include the Zowe Command Line Interface (CLI), the Zowe API Mediation Layer (which exposes z/OS resources as unified REST APIs), the Zowe Desktop (a web-based workspace for mainframe tasks), and the Zowe Explorer extension for Visual Studio Code, which allows developers to browse datasets, submit jobs, and interact with mainframe resources from their editor.

Zowe is designed to integrate with existing z/OS subsystems such as z/OSMF, SDSF, JES, CICS, and IBM MQ. Its architecture emphasizes a service-based, container-friendly approach that supports DevOps-style workflows and CI/CD pipelines. Security and identity management are inherited from the z/OS environment, with access controlled by established mainframe security policies.

Governance is community-driven under the Open Mainframe Project, with participation from major IT vendors and users. The project promotes open standards and interoperability to simplify modernization, reduce reliance on legacy 3270 interfaces, and enable cross-platform tools that interact with z/OS.

Adoption focuses on organizations pursuing digital modernization of mainframe workloads, enabling API consumption, automated testing, and streamlined development and operations for mainframe–centric applications.