mvsMF

mvsMF is an implementation of the z/OSMF REST API for the classic MVS 3.8j. It lets modern clients — the Zowe Explorer for VS Code and JetBrains IDEs, and the Zowe CLI — work with datasets, PDS members, jobs, USS files and the system console on a classic MVS host through the standard z/OSMF endpoints.

mvsMF runs as a CGI module under the httpd web server and is built on the libc370 C runtime (the maintained successor to CRENT370). A huge thanks goes to Mike Rayborn, whose HTTPD server and original CRENT370 libraries this work builds on.

Features

• Datasets — list, read, write, create, delete (sequential + volume-qualified)
• PDS members — list, read, write, delete
• Jobs — submit (inline JCL or dataset), status, spool files, spool records, purge
• USS files — list, read, write, create, delete
• Console services — issue operator commands, collect responses, detect unsolicited messages, read the hardcopy log

See docs/endpoints/ for the full endpoint reference and docs/examples.md for copy‑paste curl & Zowe CLI examples for every endpoint.

Installation

Note: mvsMF is Work in Progress and not intended for production use.

Prerequisites

• An MVS 3.8j system (TK4‑, TK5, MVSCE, or local Hercules)
• httpd ≥ 4.0.0-dev installed and configured — the console services need the cgictx API introduced in the httpd 4.x line

Install

The simplest path is make deploy (see Building below): it uploads and RECEIVEs the load library into your httpd LINKLIB automatically. To install a released XMIT manually:

1. Transfer the XMIT file to your MVS system and restore it:

   RECEIVE INDATASET('your.xmit.dataset')
   

2. Copy the MVSMF load module into the LINKLIB your httpd server loads from.
3. Map the CGI in your httpd parmlib member:

   MOD=MVSMF /zosmf/*
   

4. Restart the httpd server.

Building mvsMF

mvsMF uses mbt v2 (MVS Build Tools). The whole build runs on your host with the cc370 toolchain (cc370, as370, ar370, ld370) — MVS is only touched by make deploy.

Prerequisites

• The cc370 host toolchain (a GCC 3.4.6 fork)
• Python 3.12+
• An MVS 3.8j system reachable over IP (for make deploy / make doctor)

Quick Start

git clone --recursive https://github.com/mvslovers/mvsmf.git
cd mvsmf
cp .env.example .env     # edit with your MVS connection details
make deps                # resolve + stage dependencies (httpd, ufsd)
make                     # cross-compile + link the MVSMF load module (on the host)
make deploy              # XMIT + upload + RECEIVE into the httpd LINKLIB (touches MVS)

Make Targets

Target	Description
make	Build the MVSMF load module (host only)
make deps	Resolve + stage declared dependencies into .mbt/deps
make deploy	Pack → XMIT → upload → RECEIVE into the LINKLIB (touches MVS)
make test / make test-mvs	Build (and run on MVS) the test suites
make doctor	Check the toolchain + MVS connectivity
make compiledb	Generate compile_commands.json for clangd
make package	Build the release artifacts in dist/
make clean / make distclean	Remove build outputs / everything incl. staged deps
make help	List all targets

Dependencies

Declared in project.toml and pinned in mbt.lock (committed):

Dependency	Purpose
mvslovers/httpd	Web server + client library (the CGI host and http_* API)
mvslovers/ufsd	Unix‑like filesystem server (the USS endpoints)
libc370	C runtime (the cc370 sysroot, -lc)

make deps resolves httpd/ufsd from their GitHub Releases and writes mbt.lock. To develop against an unreleased dependency, use a gitignored .mbt/deps.local.toml override.

Configuration

project.toml defines the project; local MVS connection settings go in .env (never committed — copy .env.example).

Variable	Description
MBT_MVS_HOST	IP or hostname of the MVS system
MBT_MVS_PORT	mvsMF API port
MBT_MVS_USER / MBT_MVS_PASS	MVS userid / password
MBT_MVS_HLQ	HLQ for build/deploy datasets
MBT_MVS_DEPS_HLQ	HLQ for staged dependency datasets
MBT_JES_JOBCLASS / MBT_JES_MSGCLASS	JES job / message class for deploy jobs

See .env.example for the full list.

Usage

Point Zowe CLI or an IDE plugin (Zowe Explorer) at your MVS 3.8j host — note that mvsMF speaks plain HTTP (--protocol http). You can then list and edit datasets and PDS members, submit and monitor jobs, browse USS files, and issue console commands or read the hardcopy log.

Ready‑to‑run curl and Zowe commands for every endpoint are in docs/examples.md.

Acknowledgments

This project builds on the incredible work of Mike Rayborn — his HTTPD server and the original CRENT370 libraries (continued as libc370) are at the core of this implementation. A huge thank you for your contributions to the MVS community!

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! If you're interested in helping with development, testing, or documentation, feel free to open an issue or submit a pull request.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License

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Disclaimer: This project is still under active development and is not ready for production use. Use it at your own risk and report any issues or feedback to help improve it.