Getting Started with Zowe™? Begin Here
IBM Z Distribution for Zowe 3.0 – Latest Highlights
On April 29, 2025, IBM announced IBM Z Distribution for Zowe 3.0 (5698-ZWH), with general availability starting May 2, 2025. This latest version reflects IBM’s ongoing commitment to providing enterprise-grade Zowe software. As with previous versions, Zowe 3.0 is available at no charge using trusted IBM distribution methods such as Shopz for z/OS software and IBM’s GitHub repository for workstation software.
Importantly, IBM’s Zowe distribution adheres to the same rigorous IBM standards as any other z/OS product. This includes:
· Open-source license validation
· Export control compliance
· Vulnerability scanning
· Penetration testing
These IBM processes are conducted in addition to the standard testing from the Zowe open community, offering clients a highly secure, enterprise solution.
While the Zowe framework is open-source and free, IBM offers optional, fee-based support services to assist with open source defect resolution when used without IBM products that have Zowe integrations. Zowe support is entitled for those components needed by IBM products.
What is Zowe? A Quick Refresher
Zowe is an open-source framework designed to bring modern development, administration and system programmer productivity to IBM z/OS systems. Here's what you need to know:
· Modular by Design - Zowe consists of independent components - Web User Interface, Command Line Interface (CLI), and Integrated Development Environment (IDE) extension - that can be used separately or integrated together.
· Easily Extensible - The framework allows for enhancements via plug-ins and extensions, whether open source or proprietary, giving enterprises and product teams the flexibility to add new capabilities to the framework.
· Version Lifecycle Management - When a new version of Zowe is released, such as 3.0, the previous version enters maintenance mode for approximately two years - meaning it receives security fixes but no new features. Each new version of Zowe sunsets outdated or deprecated functionality and become the new baseline for continuous enhancements through quarterly updates. You can see the timetable for future plans at open source community schedules.
· Open Collaboration - Zowe includes contributions from its own developer community, as well as other open-source projects. Updates to the embedded libraries from other community ensure timely delivery and support from the broader open source ecosystem.
· “Zowe is Zowe” - The Zowe code that ships is the same across vendor distributions and the open community (Zowe.org). However, vendors may choose to include or exclude specific components or add proprietary extensions.
· Format Options - The Zowe open community distributes software in a variety of formats such as SMP/E, PAX, and PSWI. The underlying code is identical when version and release numbers match. Client code is delivered via popular repositories (i.e., npmjs or VS Code Marketplace) or vendor download sites
Key Considerations for IBM Z Distribution for Zowe 3.0
Zowe 3.0 includes numerous updates. Below are some of the considerations for teams adopting or upgrading to this 3.0 version:
1. Built for Integration with IBM Products
IBM Z Distribution for Zowe is optimized for IBM z/OS-based solutions. Support for those Zowe components required by IBM products is entitled by having support for the IBM product listed here. Note: If a Zowe-related issue arises, support tickets should be opened against the IBM product utilizing Zowe, not Zowe itself unless you have paid fee support for Zowe from IBM. The product team with Zowe integrations will manage any Zowe issue related to their product and route it appropriately.
2. Evolving Compatibility
The Product Support Details page will be updated as IBM product teams complete their integration testing with Zowe 3.0. Compatibility is verified at the product level.
3. Continued Zowe 2.0 Availability
IBM Z Distribution for Zowe 2.0 remains available and will continue to receive periodic security updates in alignment with the open-source community.
4. IBM Packaging and Lifecycle
Zowe is delivered in SMP/E format via IBM Shopz. PSWI packages are also available through Shopz, however slightly different than the Zowe.org PSWI since the bundled likely has other IBM software included for ServerPac delivery. In contrast, PSWI downloads from Zowe.org contain only Zowe and no other IBM-specific content.
IBM applies its own standards for distribution, testing, and support, ensuring alignment with the broader IBM software policies. IBM support of each version is aligned to IBM’s typical product lifecycle policy for continuous delivery offerings (2 years +1 year optional extension of Support).
5. Node.js Support Update
Once bundled with Zowe 1.0, Node.js since Zowe 2.0 is ordered and downloaded separately to reduce confusion with support lifecycles of the two offerings. Customers may:
· Order IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Node.js at no charge, or
· Use existing installed versions in the enterprise
The Zowe community maintains a list of compatible Node.js versions for reference. See Zowe documentation for supported Node versions. Be sure to search based on the version and release of Zowe you are using via the drop down in the upward right corner of the documentation.
6. Accessing Client Tools
Client-side components, such as the Zowe CLI and VS Code extensions, are available via ibm.com for those customer not allowed to use npmjs or VS Code Marketplace. The IBM Mainframe Downloads site provides zip file format.
7. What’s Included in IBM’s Distribution
IBM’s Zowe package contains the most commonly used components:
· Zowe Desktop (Application Framework)
· Zowe CLI (z/OSMF REST API-based)
· Zowe Explorer (VS Code extension)
· Zowe API Mediation Layer
8. Something new – the Zowe Server Install Wizard
To streamline deployments, IBM provides the Zowe Server Install Wizard for both Zowe 2.0 and 3.0. Expect ongoing enhancements to this tool through IBM's continuous delivery model.
9. What IBM Does Not Distribute
IBM’s distribution does not include:
· Zowe container images
· Zowe Client SDKs for Java, Kotlin, Node.js, or Python
· Additional IDE integrations
These components are available via Zowe.org and supported by the Zowe open community.
To summarize:
IBM Z Distribution for Zowe 3.0 represents a major step forward in the journey to modernize z/OS environments. It provides a secure, flexible, and enterprise-validated framework for bridging legacy systems with today’s agile development practices.
To stay ahead, organizations are encouraged to:
· Engage with the Zowe open community
· Collaborate with IBM product teams
· Advocate for capabilities that align with your modernization goals
Zowe™ is a trademark of the Linux Foundation.