Zowe has both server and client components, which you can install independently. Download the latest installer to install Zowe on the z/OS server, on your computer, or both. Start your journey with Zowe today!
Install Zowe z/OS components from the convenience build, the SMP/E build, the PSWI build or the containerization build depending on your need.
PAX archive format installed on the z/OS server
SMP/E format installed on the z/OS server
Download the base FMID AZWE002 (based on v2.0.0) first and then apply the PTFs to get the latest version.
The Zowe Portable Software Instance (PSWI) is a new way of z/OS component distribution. The PSWI allows the full installation as you are used to from SMP/E build, but it uses the new standard for mainframe software distribution.
Download the PSWI based on FMID AZWE002
Files to launch Zowe in a container environment like Kubernetes
Install Zowe CLI or Zowe Explorer, a Visual Studio Code extension powered by Zowe CLI.
Install Zowe CLI from the local package or from an npm registry if your computer is connected to the Internet.
Download the Zowe CLI core package and optionally download the plug-ins (CICS, Db2, IMS, MQ, z/OS FTP, and so on) to gain more capabilities.
Download the Zowe Software Development Kits (SDKs) for use in development and automation.
Zowe Explorer V2 enables you to adopt the team configuration file, recently developed by the Zowe CLI Squad, to make profile management more centralized and much simpler.
To download the V2 version of the FTP extension, click Zowe Explorer 2.18.0. Separate downloads are available for Zowe Explorer and Zowe Explorer Extension for FTP.
To install the .vsix files, use Extensions > Install from vsix within VS Code.
Install Zowe z/OS components from the convenience build, the SMP/E build or the containerization build depending on your need.
You can also optionally use the Docker build technical preview to run a subset of the Zowe server-side components outside z/OS. Download and learn more about the build in the technical preview section.
PAX archive format installed on the z/OS server
SMP/E format installed on the z/OS server
Download the base FMID AZWE001 (based on v1.9.0) first and then apply the PTFs to get the latest version.
Files to launch Zowe in a container environment like Kubernetes
Install Zowe CLI or Zowe Explorer, a Visual Studio Code extension powered by Zowe CLI.
Install Zowe CLI from the local package or from an npm registry if your computer is connected to the Internet.
Download the Zowe CLI core package and optionally download the plug-ins (CICS, Db2, IMS, MQ, z/OS FTP, and so on) to gain more capabilities.
Download the Zowe Software Development Kits (SDKs) for use in development and automation.
Installed directly to VSCode within the GUI
Test the latest Zowe features and provide feedback. Technical previews are for testing only and not ready for production.
The Zowe Server Install Wizard (formerly known as ZEN) is a program you install on your PC (Windows/mac/linux). It is an optional alternative to the existing Zowe installation processes, designed to make installation quick and intuitive by guiding you through installing Zowe server content onto z/OS. It handles YAML, Unix, and JCL content involved in setup of a Zowe instance so that you can install Zowe easily by following prompts and verifying the output.
The Zowe Docker build enables you to run a subset of the Zowe server-side components outside z/OS. The Docker build runs in combination with the convenience or S MP/E build. Learn more about the relationship of the builds in the docs.
You can download the build directly via the tarball, or as a cloud download from Docker Hub. Separate downloads exist for z/Linux ("s390x") and other Linux ("amd64" for intel & amd systems).
Zowe Chat enables you to work with the mainframe from popular chat clients such as Slack , Microsoft Teams, and Mattermost.
Download the Zowe Software Development Kits (SDKs) for use in development and automation.
Download releases of Zowe V2.x by version number. The future release dates are tentative and may change.
Download releases of Zowe V1.x by version number. The future release dates are tentative and may change.
Zowe version 1.0.0 through 1.8.0 are only available as rollup convenience builds. Zowe version 1.9.0 is the beginning of the Active Long-Term Support (LTS) release and it provides an SMP/E build with an FMID of AZWE001. The SMP/E build is the same content as the Zowe 1.9.0 convenience build. Updates in subsequent releases are made available as co-requisite PTFs as well as in convenience builds. Also, starting in 1.9.0, Zowe CLI core and plug-in packages are distributed separately.
All builds prior to Zowe v1.0.0 are no longer available.
Version timeframe, Active , Maintenance
Zowe v2 conformant extensions / plug-ins are not guaranteed to be compatible with Zowe v3 and therefore may not be operable. In general, plug-ins/extensions which leverage v2 APIs that have known “breaking changes” are at high risk of incompatibility and unpredictable results.
Recommendation: ALL v2 extenders test with the Zowe v3, identify any issues, and disclose results to consumers to clearly indicate backward compatibility status in the extension documentation. If unable to test, clearly document as such.
Zowe v3 conformant (planning to earn conformance) extensions / plug-ins are not guaranteed to be compatible with Zowe v2 LTS. In general, plug-ins / extensions with no known dependency on any newly introduced Zowe v3 functions are at minimum risk.
Recommendation: All v3 extenders test with Zowe v2 LTS, identify any issues, and disclose results to consumers to clearly indicate forward compatibility status in the extension documentation. If unable to test, clearly document as such.
Zowe v2 conformant extensions / plug-ins are likely to require changes to meet Zowe v3 conformance criteria. All extensions (regardless of v2 conformance status) must apply for v3 conformance and satisfy all required v3 testing criteria.
Recommendation: All extenders interested in earning v3 conformance review the v3 conformance criteria, determine if technical changes are necessary, make appropriate modifications and prepare to apply for v3 conformance prior to v3 LTS publication.
Zowe v3 Availability to ExtendersSeveral pre-GA releases of Zowe v3 will be made available to Zowe extenders and the general public prior* to the actual Zowe v3 GA release delivery to allow extenders time to perform Zowe v3 testing with their extensions and disclose their compatibility status. (The PAX and SMP/E builds are available since Dec 2023)
Early Access Conformance CriteriaThe Zowe v3 conformance criteria for all extensions/plugins participating in the conformance program will be made available to all Zowe v2 conformant extenders prior* to the Zowe v3 GA release to give extenders time to adapt to applicable changes. (*dates to-be-determined) Note: See Zowe Support Provider conformance section below for details on v3 Support Provider conformance.
More InformationVisit the Zowe v3 release page at https://zowe.org/vNext.html for comprehensive information related to the V3 release.
Visit the Zowe Artifactory nightly build folder to find the most recent build.
Please note: