# SteelFrame

> SteelFrame (by CobolStack, Manila & Singapore) is an independent clean-room z/OS-compatible platform in the browser: 3270 terminal, TSO/ISPF, JES2, COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, DB2, HLASM, plus per-user VS Code seats with Java, Python, C# / .NET, Node.js / TypeScript / Angular and PostgreSQL. AI agents use it through governed MCP servers with self-service, scoped, capped API keys. Not affiliated with or endorsed by IBM.

## Documentation

- [MCP documentation](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/mcp-docs.html): setup, authentication, the developer loop, the reference oracle, every MCP door and its prices, and the live tool reference.
- [The modernization playbook on SteelFrame](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/playbook.html): the four playbook phases (discovery, risk, tests before code, incremental port with validation) as exact MCP calls, plus the downloadable playbook kit (https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/playbook-kit.tgz: Claude Code CLAUDE.md, per-phase skills, a deny list, characterization tools, the CardDemo POSTTRAN worked example with a Python port and tests). Raw files at https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/playbook-kit/README.md and https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/playbook-kit/CLAUDE.md.
- [REST API](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/api.html): the same routes as REST, rendered from the live OpenAPI document.
- [Operations manuals](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/manuals.html): application operations manuals for the estates on SteelFrame.
- [Compiling and building programs](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/manual-compile.html): the compile, link and build manual (COBOL, PL/I, HLASM, DB2 and CICS translators).
- [AWS CardDemo on SteelFrame](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/carddemo.html): the AWS CardDemo sample application, running as-is.
- [Language catalog](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/catalog.html): the languages and subsystems the engine runs.
- [Conformance](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/conformance.html): the published conformance results.
- [Terms](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/terms.html): terms of use.

## SteelFrame MCP endpoints (Streamable HTTP / JSON-RPC 2.0, header Authorization: Bearer <API key>)

- [/mcp](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/mcp-docs.html#setup): server `steelframe`, the z/OS-compatible engine: COBOL/JCL developer loop (upload, check, compile, run, JES2 jobs and spool, data sets, VSAM, SQL, CICS sessions) and the modernization reference oracle (run_batch, decode_records, export_state, scheduler cycles, workspaces). Endpoint https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/mcp; add ?lane=ephemeral for the RAM-only zero-retention lane.
- [/mcp/vscode](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/mcp-docs.html#vscode): server `steelframe-vscode`, drives the key owner's own VS Code seat (Zowe members, Java, Python, C# / .NET, Node.js / TypeScript / Angular, C / C++, Go, shell scripts, PHP, Lua, Kotlin, Rust, PowerShell, the seat's own PostgreSQL). Scope vscode.drive (Developer and Full presets); add vscode.headless in a Custom key to work without an open VS Code tab.
- [/mcp/screen](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/mcp-docs.html#screen): server `steelframe-screen`, drives the key owner's own open SteelFrame page (3270 terminal, Postgres tab) visibly, with a Stop button. Scope screen.drive (Custom key only).
- [/mcp/git](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/mcp-docs.html#git): server `steelframe-git`, the key owner's own connected GitHub / GitLab accounts and linked repositories. Scope connectors.use (Custom key only).
- [/mcp/zos](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/mcp-docs.html#zos): server `steelframe-zos`, the key owner's own IBM mainframe connected through z/OSMF, limited to the switches set per connection. Scope zos.remote (Custom key only).
- [API keys](https://learn.cobolstack.com/account/#apikeys): self-service keys (Read-only, Developer, Full or Custom scopes; expiry, daily cap, IP allow-list), shown once with setup snippets for Claude Code, Cursor, MCP JSON and curl.
- [Live tool catalog](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/api/mcp/tools): the /mcp tool list as JSON (?lane=persistent|ephemeral); [OpenAPI](https://steelframe.cobolstack.com/api/openapi.json) for the same routes as REST.
- Pricing (prepaid SteelFrame credit): reads, lists and status free; writes, compiles, SQL and imports $0.03 per call; a run $0.03 + $0.99 per core-hour after the first 10 s of CPU; a screen action (type, key, select, editor text) $0.01; failed calls free.

## Related

- [CobolStack](https://cobolstack.com/llms.txt): services, outsourcing, licensing and the MCP overview (https://cobolstack.com/mcp/).
- [CobolStack Learn](https://learn.cobolstack.com/llms.txt): courses with hands-on labs on SteelFrame.
- [SteelFrame X](https://steelframex.cobolstack.com/mcp-docs.html): the IBM i-compatible companion and its MCP server.