Usage tips

Make the best use of Zowe Explorer with the following tips.

Data sets, USS, and jobs persistence settings

You can store any data sets, USS files, or jobs permanently in the Favorites tab. Right-click on a data set, USS file, or job and click Add Favorite.

Identify syntax errors with a syntax highlighter

Zowe Explorer supports a syntax highlighter for data sets. To enhance the experience of using the extension, you can download an extension that highlights syntax.

Configure the detected language of a file or data set

You can configure Visual Studio Code to use a specific language for a particular file extension type. This prevents the language for a file or data set opened in Zowe Explorer to be detected incorrectly. To set file associations, see Add a file extension to a language.

Edit a profile

You can edit existing profiles listed in the Side Bar by clicking the profile's Edit icon (next to the Search icon). The feature lets you modify the information inside your profile.

Delete a profile

In Zowe V1, you can permanently delete profiles by right-clicking the profile and selecting the Delete Profile option. The feature deletes the profile from your .zowe folder. In Zowe V2, right-click the profile, and select Delete Profile to open the configuration file and manually delete the profile.

tip

Alternatively, delete a profile by using the VS Code Command Palette. Press F1 on your keyboard, then select the Zowe Explorer: Delete a Profile Permanently option. In Zowe Explorer V1, you select the profile to delete. In Zowe Explorer V2 and above, the configuration file opens for you to delete the profile manually.

Hide a profile

Hide a profile from the Side Bar by right-clicking the profile and selecting the Hide Profile option. If necessary, add the profile back by clicking the + icon on the DATA SETS, UNIX SYSTEM SERVICES (USS), or JOBS bar.

Open recent members

Zowe Explorer lets you open a list of members you have previously worked on. You can access the list by pressing Ctrl+Alt+R or Command+Option+R.

Access resources with virtual workspaces

Use your virtual workspaces to access multiple resources from the Explorer view, such as local files or resources from other file systems.

In the Data Sets or Unix System Services (USS) tree, click on a profile Search icon. In the Search prompt, enter a data set search pattern or a USS file path. Right click on a resource to select the Add to Workspace context menu option. The status bar message displays and the selected folder is listed in the Explorer view with any other files/resources.