Last Updated on 18 October 2025 by Roberto De Pedrini
Hello everyone,
Today I’d like to draw your attention to a major new announcement from IBM: Project Bob — a powerful AI-first development environment designed to accelerate and modernize application development across platforms including IBM i (RPG, CL) and IBM Z (COBOL). Niklas Heidloff+3IBM+3IBM+3
✅ What is Project Bob?
Project Bob is an integrated development environment (IDE) infused with artificial intelligence, intended to support the full lifecycle of software development — from design and coding to testing, refactoring, deployment and modernization. IBM+1 Key features include:
- An AI partner that understands your intent, your codebase/repo, and your organization’s standards and governance. IBM+1
- Agentic workflows: tasks are broken down and coordinated across code, tests, documentation and pipelines. IBM
- Security-first design: inline vulnerability scanning, secrets detection, compliance features (FedRAMP, HIPAA, PCI) built in. IBM
- Multi-platform support: Works on various OS (macOS, Windows, Linux) and can be deployed in cloud or enterprise environments with governance. IBM
🎯 Why it matters for IBM i (RPG) and IBM Z (COBOL)
While many modernization tools focus on Java, microservices or newer languages, the interesting bit for us is that Project Bob explicitly targets legacy enterprise platforms including IBM i and IBM Z. Niklas Heidloff
If you’re working with RPG, CL, legacy ILE applications or COBOL on mainframe, this means you may soon have AI-assisted support for:
- Code review, refactoring, modernization of legacy modules
- Migration or re-platforming assistance with modern workflows
- Automation of repetitive development tasks, freeing developer time for more value-added work
🔍 What to keep in mind
- Project Bob is currently in early preview/private beta — availability across all platforms (including RPG/COBOL) may take some time. Niklas Heidloff
- AI tools bring huge promise but also require governance: code quality, security, compliance, and human oversight remain critical.
- Adopting Project Bob in a legacy environment often means more than just installing software — you’ll likely need to evaluate your toolchain, DevOps practices, team skills and project workflows.
🧭 What you can do now
Here are some proactive steps if you’re working in an IBM i or IBM Z environment and want to prepare:
- Join the waitlist for Project Bob preview access. community.ibm.com
- Inventory your legacy codebase: identify modules in RPG, CL or COBOL that are high-value for modernization or that depend on fragile patterns.
- Evaluate your development toolchain: How are you building, testing and deploying today? Can you benefit from AI-assisted workflows?
- Engage your team: Discuss the potential impact of an AI-driven IDE—both the opportunities and the risks. Share insights in your community.
📚 Useful References
- IBM official announcement: Introducing Project Bob: Your AI partner for faster, smarter software development — Link IBM
- Product page: Introducing Project Bob. Helping you ship quality software, faster. — Link IBM
- CIO Dive article: IBM unveils vibe coding tool to boost modernization — Link CIO Dive
- Blog overview: Introducing Project Bob for AI based Software Development by Niklas Heidloff — Link Niklas Heidloff
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