Explain this screen
Press Ctrl+E and WND Terminal explains the error, abend or message in front of you in plain English, with what to check next.
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Job PAYRPT01 failed in step STEP020 with an S0C7 data exception. A program tried to do arithmetic on a field that doesn’t hold valid numeric data.
Usual causes: a blank or corrupt input record, or a record layout that doesn’t match the file. Check the record STEP020 was reading when it failed.
Explain this screen is an AI feature in WND Terminal that explains what is on a mainframe or IBM i screen in plain English. One key opens a panel beside the screen. Codes such as S0C7, ASRA, IKJ56421I and MCH1202 are looked up first in a reference built into the app, so the facts are right even with a small model. Then a model on the PC or inside the customer’s network explains what happened and what to check next. Sensitive values are masked before anything is sent.
The problem
A new developer hits an S0C7 and waits an hour for someone who knows what it means.
Our service desk answers the same few abends every morning.
How it works
Press Ctrl+E
On any screen, press Ctrl+E (⌘E on a Mac), right-click and choose Explain, or pick it from Ctrl+K. A panel opens beside the screen.
Reference first
Abends, CICS abends, TSO and data set messages, DB2 SQL codes and IBM i messages are looked up in a reference built into the app. Nothing leaves the computer for this part.
Then the model
The screen goes, masked, to the model IT chose, with the reference notes. The answer streams in with what happened, the likely cause and what to check next.
Pass it on
If it still needs the help desk, Send to help desk turns the screen and the explanation into a masked ticket.
What it explains
System and user abends
S0C7, S806, SB37, U4038 and the rest, with the step and program from the job log on screen.
CICS abends
ASRA, AICA and other transaction abends.
TSO and data set messages
IKJ56421I, CSV003I, IEC141I and other common messages.
DB2 SQL codes
Negative and positive SQLCODEs from DB2, such as -805 and -911.
IBM i
CPF, CPD, MCH, RPG (RNQ) and SQL messages, and the keyboard’s operator error codes, explained as IBM i.
The rest of the screen
When there’s no code to look up, the model explains what the screen shows and what to do next.
Want to read up on a code yourself? The mainframe error code library explains each one in plain English.
Under IT’s control
Every capability in WND Terminal follows the same rules: IT decides, the audit log records it, and nothing is sent to WND Software.
AI controls on the security page →- Masked first. Card numbers, Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses and long account numbers become tokens such as [CARD 1] before the screen is sent. The panel shows you exactly what was sent. Password fields are never sent.
- Your model. Ollama on the PC by default, or any OpenAI-compatible server inside your network. IT can set it for everyone with
AIEndpointandAIModel. - An off switch.
AllowAI= false turns the AI off. The built-in reference still explains the codes. - On the record. The audit log records each screen sent to the model, where it went and how many values were masked.
Fewer tickets, faster new hires
Nationwide runs the model in its own network, with sensitive data masked first. New developers became independent in 7 weeks instead of 16.
Read the Nationwide story →Need more than one screen?
Ask WND works the session for you. Ask why last night’s job failed, and it opens SDSF, finds the run, reads the job log and explains the abend, showing every step.
Explain the screen using your application's documentation.
Give the AI your operating procedures as well as the screen in front of you.
Connect your documentation
Add application manuals, select an OpenAI document collection, or connect a company search service. Use OpenAI, Claude or a model on your own network for the answer.
Require a check with every question
IT can require WND Terminal to consult the selected documentation before answering. If the source is unavailable or has no relevant guidance, WND Terminal explains what is missing.
Read the source
Open the document passage used in the answer, with its title, version and section or page. Screen evidence stays alongside the company guidance.
Explain this screen: questions
Does Explain this screen send data outside our network?
Only if IT configures an external model or documentation service. A local model and local documents can keep processing on the computer; an internal service keeps it on your network. The selected provider receives the relevant masked screen context and documentation passages. Requests do not pass through WND Software.
What if IT turns the AI off?
The built-in reference still explains the codes on the screen. Only the AI explanation stops.
What does the model see?
The screen, masked first. Card numbers, Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses and long account numbers become tokens such as [CARD 1], and password fields are never sent. The panel shows the screen text supplied to the model and, when configured, the company documentation passages used.
How is it different from Ask WND?
Explain this screen explains the screen in front of you. Ask WND works the session for you across many screens to find an answer, such as why last night’s job failed.
Does it work on IBM i?
Yes. IBM i screens are explained as IBM i, including CPF, CPD, MCH and RNQ messages and the keyboard’s operator error codes.
Works well with
Try it on your own error screens.
In a proof of value we point Explain this screen at a model server inside your network and try it on your real abends.
Look up an exact code in the online error reference, including CICS abends, Db2 SQLCODEs and MQ reason codes.