IBM Bob

What it does

IBM Bob reads your codebase and natural-language instructions and produces code, refactors, tests, documentation, explanations and security findings. It works in Ask, Plan and Agent modes, can spawn subagents that work in parallel (you approve each spawn), and can run file operations and terminal commands. Teams can also define custom modes.

People use it inside an IDE for repo-wide refactors, dependency and framework upgrades, test regeneration and legacy modernization, including Java, RPG, COBOL and mainframe code. Bob Shell brings the same assistance to the terminal, for scripting and CI/CD use. What sets it apart is its focus on enterprise modernization through premium packages, IBM tool connections, usage analytics (Bobalytics) and customer-controlled deployment.

It suits enterprise development teams, especially those maintaining Java, IBM i or IBM Z estates. Individuals can start a 30-day trial with 50 Bobcoins; paid plans are priced per instance, and the Enterprise plan is by contact. Usage is metered in Bobcoins, premium capabilities are paid add-ons, and the IDE must be kept on a supported version. Approval-based modes keep changes under developer control.

What it can do

• Ask, Plan and Agent modes plus custom modes
• Subagents running parallel workstreams
• Repo-wide refactors, dependency upgrades and framework migrations
• Bob Shell for terminal and CI/CD use
• Vulnerability detection in the IDE and PR review
• Bobalytics tracking of Bobcoin usage

Works with

• MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers
• Red Hat
• Instana

Example workflows

Java upgrade

Input: a Java repository and an upgrade goal. Steps: use Plan mode to outline the migration, then Agent mode to apply dependency and framework changes and regenerate tests. Output: a refactored codebase with updated tests for review.

Legacy code documentation

Input: undocumented RPG or COBOL programs. Steps: ask Bob to explain the code in Ask mode, then generate documentation. Output: written documentation of the legacy logic.

Before you choose

• Usage is metered in Bobcoins per plan, so heavy agent use can consume allowances.
• Premium packages for Java, IBM i, Z and DevSecOps are paid add-ons.
• IDE version 2.0.1 support ends 31 October 2026, so upgrade is required.

Listed under

• Coding

Get started

50 Bobcoins; or book a demo

1. Start the free trial at bob.ibm.com/trial.
2. Download and install the Bob IDE (version 2.0.2 or later) from bob.ibm.com/download.
3. Review the best-practices and security guidelines in the docs before using it on real code.

Prices are indicative, vary by country and exclude taxes. Page shows Monthly/Annual options without stating which price applies. Premium add-ons start at $20 (Java, DevSecOps) and $40 (IBM i). First month free on some add-ons until Dec 31, 2026.

30-day free trial.

Source: ibm.com/products/ai-coding-agent/pricing, checked 29 Oct 2026. Prices can change; check before you buy.

Sources for this overview

Product pages, documentation, and pricing checked 29 Oct 2026. Each source supports part of the overview; availability and prices can change.

• AI Coding Agent and Development Partner for Enterprise | IBM ↗www.ibm.com
• IBM Bob ↗www.ibm.com
• IBM Bob ↗www.ibm.com
• IBM Bob Enterprise Pricing | IBM ↗www.ibm.com
• Welcome to IBM Bob | Docs | IBM Bob ↗bob.ibm.com

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knowledge_base

Last checked 29 Oct 2026. Every field keeps its source and date; unknown means we couldn’t confirm it.