Enable Headless Execution for Interactive Green Screen Commands on IBM i

Idea Summary: Introduce a capability to run interactive green screen commands (like WRKSBMJOB, WRKUSRJOB, WRKACTJOB, etc.) in headless mode, allowing scripts and automation tools to execute and retrieve results without requiring a 5250 terminal session or user interaction.

Problem Statement: Many core IBM i commands are tied to interactive green screen sessions and require manual key presses (like F3, Enter, or navigating menus). This makes them unusable in:

Automated scripts
DevOps pipelines
Remote execution tools
Modern IT automation platforms
As IBM i continues to modernize, this limitation prevents teams from fully automating operational tasks or building self-service diagnostics and workflows.

Just like Google Chrome can run in headless mode - loading web pages, running automated tests, or extracting data without opening a visible browser window - this enhancement would allow IBM i to run green screen commands in the background without launching an interactive session. The output would be structured and machine-readable, enabling seamless automation.

Proposed Solution: Provide a mechanism to allow these commands to run without screen interaction. Options include:
Structured Output: Support OUTPUT(*JSON) or *XML for commands that currently rely on screen display.
QSYS2 / SQL Equivalents: Introduce QSYS2 views or procedures to expose equivalent data returned by interactive commands.
Scriptable Interaction: Support scripts that simulate user input (e.g., F-keys, menu options), enabling controlled automation.
5250-Less Mode: Offer a lightweight mode of execution for traditionally interactive commands, bypassing the QINTER subsystem.

Business Value:
Enables remote automation of IBM i screen tasks
Reduces dependency on manual intervention
Supports DevOps and CI/CD integration
Speeds up operations like job monitoring, user tracking, and system health checks
Improves IBM i usability in modern, cloud-connected environments

Example usecase:

# Run WRKSBMJOB headlessly and get structured output
ibmi-headless WRKSBMJOB USER(*ALL) OPTION(5) OUTPUT(*JSON)
# Output:
[
 {
   "JobName": "QPADEV002B",
   "Status": "RUN",
   "Function": "QCMD",
   ...
 }
]