IBM Explorer for z/OS Aqua
Eclipse-based integration platform with an extensible and compatible suite of z/OS tools and capabilities.
New Aqua version available - IBM Explorer for z/OS Aqua 3.4.3 - October 24th 2025
Newly supported on Eclipse V4.31, IBM z/OS Explorer Aqua 3.4 is now live and available for download!
Zowe Integration
IBM software using Zowe™ open source technology to enhance integration with IBM z/OS.
IBM Developer for z/OS on VS Code
Standard DevOps tool chain for the development of hybrid applications in IBM Z using VS Code as the editor.
IBM Enterprise DevOps
Continuous delivery tools & capabilities for driving high quality software innovation faster, efficiently and more cost effective.
IBM Compilers and Toolkits
Language support using latest optimization technology to drive modernization, performance and productivity.
IBM Explorer for z/OS Aqua
| Product Name |
Aqua
Aqua release train versionIBM Explorer for z/OS Aqua (or simply Aqua) is a continuous delivery release train platform that brings together a set of Eclipse-based mainframe development tools and offerings in order to provide z/OS application developers and system programmers an easy way to install, deploy and maintain our IBM Eclipse-based products. What is the difference between the versions of Aqua?Each version of Aqua is based on a different version of Eclipse. New features and products will be integrated with newer versions of Aqua while the previous versions will remain in support mode moving forward.Aqua 3.1 is based on Eclipse 4.6 Neon, and Aqua 3.2 is based on Eclipse 4.8 Photon. We recommend that you choose the newest version of Aqua that supports all of the products that you're looking to install since it will allow you to stay in the active development cycle longer. Can I upgrade an Aqua environment directly to another version?It is not possible to install plug-ins and tools onto an Aqua environment that is from a different Aqua version since each version is based on a specific Eclipse iteration. To move from one Aqua version to another (eg. Aqua 3.1 to Aqua 3.2), you will need a fresh environment and from there you can bring over the workspace data. |
Client
Aqua client installation formatsIBM Explorer for z/OS Aqua (or simply Aqua) can be installed using two different packaging formats: IBM Installation Manager or Eclipse p2. IBM Installation Manager (IM)IBM Installation Manager is IBM’s solution for managing Eclipse-based tools such as Aqua tools. You install a separate utility (IBM Installation Manager) that keeps track of your installed Eclipse-based tools and is able to modify and extend those tools. Some Aqua tools must be installed using IBM Installation Manager — they are not available via Eclipse p2. Eclipse p2Eclipse p2 is an installation technology built into Eclipse tools. It can be accessed using the built-in ‘Install New Software’ option. It can often be the quickest way to get going, though not all Aqua tools are available via Eclipse p2. What does the text under the "Client" column mean?The text under the "Client" column indicates the available installation methods for that particular product. p2 indicates that the product can be installed via Eclipse p2, IM indicates that the product can be installed via IBM Installation Manager, and ZIP indicates that there is a pre-packaged zip file that contains the repository for installing this product in an offline environment through Installation Manager (this is only available for Aqua 3.1). |
Server | Trial | Documentation | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBM Application Discovery ad | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages |
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| IBM Application Performance Analyzer for z/OS apa adfz | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages
Note: Aqua 3.3 is based on Eclipse V4.23 and Aqua 3.4 is based on Eclipse V4.31. |
Unavailable |
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| IBM CICS Configuration Manager cm | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages |
Unavailable |
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| IBM CICS Deployment Assistant da | 3.3 | p2 IM ZIP |
Unavailable |
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| IBM CICS Explorer cicsexplorer | 3.3 3.4 | p2 IM ZIP |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
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| IBM CICS Interdependency Analyzer ia | 3.3 3.4 [12] |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages |
Unavailable |
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| IBM CICS Performance Analyzer pa | 3.3 | p2 IM ZIP |
Unavailable |
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| IBM CICS Transaction Gateway tg | 3.3 | p2 IM ZIP |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Data Studio ds | -- [5] |
--
Offline Repository Packages
Shell-share compatibility:IBM Data Studio 4.1.4 (Aqua 3.2) is compatible with the following:
|
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Debug for z/OS [11] debugger | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Developer for z/OS [2] rdz idz | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages
Note: Aqua 3.3 is based on Eclipse V4.23 and Aqua 3.4 is based on Eclipse V4.31. |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition [2] [11] rdz adfz idz ee | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages
Note: Aqua 3.3 is based on Eclipse V4.23 and Aqua 3.4 is based on Eclipse V4.31. |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Explorer for z/OS zosexplorer explorer aqua adfz | 3.3 3.4 | p2 IM ZIP |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Fault Analyzer for z/OS fa adfz | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages |
Unavailable |
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| IBM File Manager for z/OS fm adfz | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages |
Unavailable |
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| IBM IMS Configuration Manager for z/OS cm | -- [10] |
--
Offline Repository Packages
Note: Aqua 3.3 is based on Eclipse V4.23 and Aqua 3.4 is based on Eclipse V4.31. |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
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| IBM IMS Connect Extensions for z/OS ce | 3.3 | p2 IM ZIP |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
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| IBM IMS Explorer for Development [7] | 3.1 [1] 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages
Note: Aqua 3.1 is based on Eclipse V4.6 Neon, Aqua 3.2 is based on Eclipse V4.8 Photon, Aqua 3.3 is based on Eclipse V4.23, and Aqua 3.4 is based on Eclipse V4.31.. |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Monitoring and Diagnostic Tools - Health Center jhc | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages
Note: Aqua 3.3 is based on Eclipse V4.23 and Aqua 3.4 is based on Eclipse V4.31. |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
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| IBM MQ Explorer | 3.3 3.4 | p2 IM ZIP |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Rational Programming Patterns rpp | 3.3 [8] 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages
Note: Aqua 3.3 is based on Eclipse V4.23 and Aqua 3.4 is based on Eclipse V4.31. |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Engineering Workflow Management (formerly Rational Team Concert) [3] | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages
Note: Aqua 3.3 is based on Eclipse V4.23 and Aqua 3.4 is based on Eclipse V4.31. |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Engineering Workflow Management Integration for z/OS [4] rtcz | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages
Note: Aqua 3.3 is based on Eclipse V4.23 and Aqua 3.4 is based on Eclipse V4.31. |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Z JCL Expert jclx zos | 3.3 | p2 IM ZIP |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
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| IBM z/OS Connect EE | 3.3 3.4 |
p2
IM
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages |
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| IBM Watsonx Code Assistant for Z Eclipse Plugin | 3.4 |
p2
ZIP
Offline Repository Packages
Note: Aqua 3.3 is based on Eclipse V4.23 and Aqua 3.4 is based on Eclipse V4.31. |
- [1] See here for products with extended support for Aqua 3.1.
- [2] For more information on how to update the IBM Developer for z/OS client to a new release, see here for the V15.0.x client and here for the V16.0.x client.
- [3] RTC is renamed to EWM (Engineering Workflow Management) starting from v7.0. See this tech note for details / installation steps for older versions of RTC
- [4] This IBM Developer for z/OS extension provides the capability that allows Engineering Workflow Management to enable Remote project and User Build support for z/OS developers.
- [5] Note: IBM Data Studio V4.1.4.4 has reached the end of service on May 2024.
- [6] Please follow the IBM Documentation instruction to deploy IBM Developer for z/OS on Cloud.
- [7] There is a known issue with the current version of IMS Explorer. When updating the existing installation of IMS Explorer, the Readme file does not get updated. The workaround is to perform a fresh installation of IMS Explorer, eother by installing it into a new package group, or by uninstalling any existing versions of IMS Explorer first.
- [8] Note: the current version of IBM Rational Programming Patterns is only compatible with IBM Engineering Workflow Management 7.0.3 or later. Check here to download IBM Rational Programming Patterns 9.7.3 which is compatible with IBM Engineering Workflow Management 7.0.2.
- [9] Note: IBM Developer for z/OS V15.0.x, IBM Debug for z/OS V15.0.x, IBM Fault Analyzer for z/OS V14.1.x and IBM File Manager for z/OS V14.1.x have reached the end of service on April 30th 2024.
- [10] Note: IBM IMS Configuration Manager for z/OS Eclipse Plugin V2.3.0 has reached the end of service on August 31st 2024. See here for more information.
- [11] The IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition offering includes the features of IBM Debug for z/OS.
- [12] Check here to download IBM CICS Interdependency Analyzer 6.1.0.3.
Zowe Integration
| Product Name | Download | Trial | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM Z Distribution for Zowe V2 [1] | Server Explorer CLI | ||
| IBM Z Distribution for Zowe V3 [1] | Server Explorer CLI | ||
| IBM Zowe Install Wizard | Windows Linux.rpm Linux.deb Mac |
Unavailable |
|
| IBM Z JCL Expert |
Unavailable |
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| IBM z/OS Workload Interaction Navigator | |||
| IBM Db2 DevOps Experience for z/OS |
Unavailable |
||
| IBM OMEGAMON for Storage for z/OS |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Z NetView |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Z Service Automation Suite |
Unavailable |
||
| IBM Z Workload Scheduler |
Unavailable |
||
| IBM Advanced Storage Management Suite |
Unavailable |
- [1] See Zowe Support page https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6416751 for additional information.
- [2] Once installed, you can apply these PTFs to upgrade your release.
IBM Z VS Code Components
| Component Name | Version | Download Client | Download Server | Trial | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition (IDzEE) VS Code Download Package | 6.1.1 (11/14/2025) | RSE API Server |
Unavailable |
||
| IBM Application Delivery Foundation for z/OS (ADFz) VS Code Download Package | 6.1.1 (11/14/2025) | RSE API Server |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Developer for z/OS Select VS Code Download Package | 6.1.1 (11/14/2025) |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
||
| IBM Z Open Editor | 6.1.1 (11/14/2025) |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
||
| IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition (IDzEE) VS Code Download Package | 5.7.2 (11/14/2025) | RSE API Server |
Unavailable |
||
| IBM Application Delivery Foundation for z/OS (ADFz) VS Code Download Package | 5.7.2 (11/14/2025) | RSE API Server |
Unavailable |
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| IBM Db2 for z/OS Developer Extension [1] | 2.2.4 |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
||
| IBM CICS Interdependency Analyzer for Zowe Explorer | 1.0.2 |
Unavailable |
Unavailable |
- [1] Db2 for z/OS Developer Extension is licensed under the International License Agreement for Non-Warranted Programs (i125-5589-06). Questions, issues and enhancement requests can be submitted through Db2 Developer Extension public GitHub repository . Support will be provided to the best ability of the IBM product team.
IBM Enterprise DevOps
| Product Name | Downloads |
|---|---|
| IBM Application Delivery Foundation for z/OS (ADFz)adfz | Download |
| IBM Application Delivery Intelligenceadi | Trial |
| IBM Application Discovery and Delivery Intelligenceaddi | Trial |
| IBM Application Discoveryad | Trial |
| IBM Cloud Provisioning & Management for z/OScpm | Trial |
| IBM Dependency Based Builddbb | Download |
| IBM Explorer for z/OS Atlas (Open Toolchain API) | Technical Preview |
| IBM Rational Team Concert (Enterprise Extensions)rtc ee | Download |
| IBM Rational Test Workbenchrtw | Contact Us |
| IBM UrbanCode Deployucd | Trial |
| IBM Z Development & Testing (ZD&T)zdt | Contact Us |
| IBM z/OS Provisioning Toolkitzos pt zospt zpt | Download |
Download
IBM Z Open Automation Utilities (ZOAU) Download |
|
| IBM z/OS Connect EE Build Toolkit 1.20zos zconbt | Download |
| IBM ZCodeScan 1.0zos code scan | Download |
IBM Compilers and Toolkits
| Product Name | Downloads |
|---|---|
| IBM Open Enterprise Foundation for z/OSoef zos | Download[1] |
| IBM Automatic Binary Optimizer for z/OSabo | Trial[1] |
| IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OSzos | Trial[1] |
| IBM Enterprise PL/I for z/OSzos | Contact us for pricing[1] |
| IBM Record Generator for Java | Download[1] |
| IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Node.jszos | Download[1] |
| IBM Open XL C/C++ for z/OSzos | Download[1] |
| IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Pythonzos python | Download[1] |
| IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Gozos python | Download[1] |
| IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OSzos java | Download[1] |
- [1] Available at no cost