8bitworkshop for VS Code
The original online 8-bit IDE, now in VS Code!
Write programs for classic consoles and computers, then build and play them without leaving VS Code.
This extension uses the assemblers, compilers, and emulators from 8bitworkshop.com.
Supported platforms include 6502, Z80, and 6809 CPUs:
- NES / Famicom
- Atari 2600 (VCS), Atari 7800, and Atari 8-bit computers
- Commodore 64 and VIC-20
- ColecoVision, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
- Apple II, Game Boy, Sega Master System, PC Engine
- Arcade hardware (Galaxian, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Williams, VIC Dual, Atari Vector)
Supported programming languages include:
- Assembler with DASM, ca65, zmac, and more
- C with CC65, SDCC, and more
- BASIC with batariBASIC and FastBASIC
- Verilog for hardware design
- ...and others! There's a lot going on in here!
All building and emulation runs on your computer. The first build downloads the toolchains and examples; after that, everything works offline.
Get started
- Open an empty window. In the Explorer, click New 8bitworkshop Project, or run 8bitworkshop: New Project... from the Command Palette.
- Choose a platform, such as NES or Atari 2600 (VCS).
- Choose a blank program or an example, then a folder to copy it to.
- Click Run (▷) at the top right of the editor. The emulator opens beside your code.
- Click the emulator to play. Click your code to type again.
Change something and the game rebuilds and restarts as you type. Errors appear as red underlines and in the Problems panel, and the last version that built keeps running until you fix them.
To look at the included examples without copying them, run 8bitworkshop: Open Example.
To use code you already have, open its folder: the extension detects the appropriate platform and main file.
Settings
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
8bitworkshop.platform |
The platform, such as nes, c64, or vcs |
8bitworkshop.mainFile |
The file that runs. Empty: the file in the editor |
8bitworkshop.autoBuild |
onType (default), onSave, or off |
8bitworkshop.reloadOnBuild |
always (default), onSave, or never |
8bitworkshop.toolchainPath |
Use a local 8bitworkshop checkout instead of downloading |
8bitworkshop saves your choices in .vscode/settings.json. Commit it so
people who clone your repo skip the questions.
More
License
GPL-3.0. The downloaded components (toolchains, emulators, libraries, etc.) keep their own licenses.