In the distributed Foreground option, all option panels select a CLIST to set up and issue the TSO commands. (Only a CLIST or a program can be selected from the option panel.) To obtain variables set from the panel and by program ISRFPR, the CLIST references the shared variable pool. Based on these variables, the CLIST sets up and issues the TSO command required to invoke the language processor. The return code from the TSO command is saved in variable ZFPRFC, which is referenced in various error messages. After completion of the TSO command, the check for automatic browse and print is made. The CLIST issues any log messages. The CLIST also does some specific error checking and can override ISRFPR messages by setting variable ZFPRFC to the return code, issuing a VPUT of ZFPRFC, and invoking the SETMSG service.

The FORTRAN and COBOL interactive CLISTs differ from other CLISTs. These interactive programs attempt to read subsequent lines from the CLIST as input. Therefore, the CLIST is divided into two parts. All functions after the TSO command are in the second CLIST, which is referenced by the ZSEL2 variable described in Required option entry panel variables.