8bitworkshop for VS Code
Write programs for classic consoles and computers, then build and play them without leaving VS Code. The extension uses the compilers, assemblers, and emulators from 8bitworkshop.com: NES, Atari 2600, Commodore 64, and many more.
Builds and emulation run 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 examples without copying them, run 8bitworkshop: Open Example. To use code you already have, open its folder: 8bitworkshop detects the platform and main file, and says why.
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.