C64 Bridge

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Your AI Command Bridge for the Commodore 64.

npm Build codecov License: GPL v2 Platform

Install in VS Code Install in VS Code Insiders Install in Visual Studio Install in Cursor Use with Claude Code

C64 Bridge is an MCP server for controlling and working with a Commodore 64 from an AI client.

It lets you run programs, read and write memory, render graphics, and play sound on a C64 Ultimate, Ultimate 64, or U2-family cartridge. You can also switch to a VICE emulator session, so one MCP conversation can span hardware and emulation.

It is built on the official TypeScript @modelcontextprotocol/sdk and supports both stdio for local AI integration and an optional HTTP bridge for manual inspection.

C64 Bridge is listed in the Official MCP Registry.

Contents

Overview

C64 Bridge gives an AI agent one place to drive program execution, memory access, graphics, sound, storage, printer workflows, and knowledge retrieval for a Commodore 64 environment.

The core workflow is simple:

  1. Start the MCP server.
  2. Point it at C64U/U64 hardware, a U2-family cartridge, VICE, or any configured combination.
  3. Let the client call grouped MCP tools such as c64_program, c64_memory, c64_graphics, and c64_sound.
  4. Switch backends at runtime with c64_select_backend when both are configured.

Features

  • Program runners for BASIC, 6510 assembly, and PRG or CRT execution
  • Full memory access, including raw reads and writes plus screen polling
  • System integration for drives, files, printers, and task orchestration
  • SID music tools for playback, composition, generation, and verification
  • Built-in knowledge resources and prompts for safer LLM workflows
  • Mixed runtime support for c64u (C64U/U64), u2 (U2/U2+/U2+L), and vice

Quick Start

If you want the shortest path, do these four things:

  1. Install Node.js 24+ and npm.
  2. Start the server.
  3. Add backend configuration for C64U/U64, U2-family, VICE, or any combination.
  4. Connect from VS Code or another MCP client.

1. Install Node.js 24+ and npm

Linux (Ubuntu or Debian):

Recommended:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y curl ca-certificates
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_24.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs

Fallback:

sudo apt install -y nodejs npm

macOS:

brew install node@24
brew link --overwrite node@24

Windows:

# winget
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
# or Chocolatey
choco install nodejs-lts -y

Verify the installation:

node --version

Expected result: v24.x

2. Start the Server

Use one of the following entry points.

Run from npx with zero setup:

npx -y c64bridge@latest

Run from a local npm install:

mkdir -p ~/c64bridge && cd ~/c64bridge
npm init -y
npm install c64bridge
node ./node_modules/c64bridge/dist/index.js

Run from source for development or testing:

git clone https://github.com/chrisgleissner/c64bridge.git
cd c64bridge
./build install
npm start

On startup, the server probes the selected target, performs connectivity checks, and then announces that it is running on stdio.

3. Add Backend Configuration

The server can run against one or more of:

  • C64U/U64 hardware (c64u)
  • U2, U2+, or U2+L (u2)
  • VICE (vice)

The detailed lookup order, merge rules, backend examples, and override model are in the Configuration section below.

4. Connect from an MCP Client

C64 Bridge ships a single canonical stdio entry point that every MCP client uses:

  • VS Code (GitHub Copilot) — see VS Code MCP Setup.
  • Claude Code (CLI and VS Code plugin) — see Claude Code.
  • Cursor, Visual Studio, VS Code Insiders — use the install badges at the top of this README.
  • Any other MCP client — point it at the same stdio server, with the environment variables documented in Runtime Environment Variable Reference and the registry manifest in mcp.json.

The startup command is the same across clients: npx -y c64bridge@latest for the published package, or node scripts/start.mjs from a local checkout. Select c64u, u2, or vice in the shared Configuration; clients only need the command.

Configuration

Configuration File Order

The server reads configuration in this order:

  1. C64BRIDGE_CONFIG, if it points to a config file
  2. .c64bridge.json in the project root
  3. ~/.c64bridge.json in the home directory

Configuration Merge Rules

Configuration is merged per backend section while scanning those files in order.

  • The first file that contains each backend section (c64u, u2, or vice) supplies that backend's configuration.
  • This allows a project-local .c64bridge.json to define c64u while ~/.c64bridge.json defines u2 or vice.

Backend Configuration: C64 Ultimate

Use this for a C64 Ultimate or Ultimate 64:

{
  "c64u": {
    "host": "c64u",
    "port": 80,
    "networkPassword": "secret"
  }
}
  • If no file is found, the default target is c64u:80 with no network password.
  • networkPassword is only needed when you enabled a password in the C64 Ultimate network settings.
  • C64U_HOST, C64U_PORT, and C64U_PASSWORD override the configured host, port, and network password.

Firmware Requirements for Native Input and Menu Screens

The following operations require recently added Ultimate REST endpoints. C64 Bridge detects or explains unavailable endpoints without exposing a raw firmware error.

Before choosing an endpoint-dependent operation, read c64://platform/status. It probes machine:input safely and reports whether it is available. When native input is unavailable, use key or write_text for ordinary C64 input instead of physical matrix events. machine:menu_screen can only be confirmed after an Ultimate menu is visible; its tool returns fallback guidance rather than a transport error when no matrix can be read.

  • c64_input keyboard, release_all, and state, plus hardware joystick, use machine:input. They require a C64U firmware version that provides this endpoint, or U64 firmware 3.15 or later. machine:input is not available on U2-family cartridges.
  • c64_system read_menu_screen uses machine:menu_screen; it requires a C64U firmware version that provides this endpoint, or U64/U2 firmware 3.15 or later.
  • On C64U/U64, c64_system power_cycle verifies Tool Menu navigation with machine:menu_screen, so it has the same firmware requirement. U2-family power_cycle uses REST reboot instead.

Backend Configuration: U2-family

Use this profile for U2, U2+, and U2+L cartridges:

{
  "u2": {
    "host": "u2",
    "port": 80,
    "networkPassword": "secret"
  }
}

Set C64_MODE=u2 to make this the initial backend. U2_HOST, U2_PORT, and U2_PASSWORD override this profile. U2-family firmware exposes the shared REST subset; it does not provide machine input, debug-register access, power-off, or streaming. read_menu_screen requires U2 firmware 3.15 or later.

Backend Configuration: VICE

C64 Bridge can either connect to an already running VICE Binary Monitor or manage a local VICE process for you. The usual managed setup only needs the emulator binary and, when auto-detection cannot find it, the VICE resource directory:

{
  "vice": {
    "exe": "/usr/bin/x64sc",
    "directory": "/usr/local/share/vice"
  }
}
  • exe is optional when x64sc or x64 is on PATH. If no explicit binary is configured, the runtime prefers /usr/local/bin/x64sc when present, then falls back to x64sc or x64 on PATH.
  • directory is optional. When omitted, C64 Bridge auto-detects a VICE resource directory by looking for the standard C64 ROM set near the emulator binary and in common system locations.
  • host and port are optional and default to 127.0.0.1:6502, the Binary Monitor endpoint C64 Bridge starts for managed local sessions. On local endpoints, C64 Bridge first tries to reuse an already running monitor before starting its own process.
  • visible, warp, and args are optional runtime controls. They can live in JSON config, but most users set their environment-variable equivalents from the MCP client because they are per-session preferences.
  • By default, VICE is started lazily on first access. When setting the environment variable VICE_PREWARM=1, C64 Bridge starts or connects VICE in the background during MCP startup.
  • VICE_BINARY, VICE_DIRECTORY, VICE_HOST, VICE_PORT, VICE_VISIBLE, VICE_WARP, VICE_ARGS, and VICE_PREWARM override the JSON values without editing config files.

VICE Window Modes

Choose the window mode based on where the MCP server runs:

Mode Configuration What happens Use when
Visible VICE_VISIBLE=true VICE opens a normal desktop window. Warp defaults to off. You are developing locally and want to watch or interact with the emulator.
Minimized VICE_VISIBLE=true, VICE_ARGS="-minimized" VICE still runs as a normal desktop app, but its window starts iconified. Binary Monitor operations, screen reads, frame capture, and keyboard input continue to work. You are using an agent locally and do not want the emulator stealing focus, but still want the option to restore the window.
Headless/Xvfb VICE_VISIBLE=false C64 Bridge launches VICE without a user-facing desktop window, using Xvfb unless disabled. Warp defaults to on. CI, unattended tests, servers, or any session where no one needs to inspect the emulator window.

Minimized and headless are not the same thing. Minimized is still a visible desktop session with a real VICE window; it is simply hidden by the window manager at startup. Headless/Xvfb has no user-facing window, so it is better for automation but less convenient when you need to debug by looking at the emulator.

For normal local MCP use, prefer minimized VICE. It avoids focus stealing while preserving the ability to restore the window for visual inspection. Prefer headless/Xvfb for CI and remote or display-less environments.

FORCE_XVFB=1 forces the Xvfb path even if a graphical session is available. DISABLE_XVFB=1 disables that fallback and uses the current display, which is mainly useful for troubleshooting display detection.

Recommended VICE Configurations

Local agent session, VICE starts minimized:

{
  "servers": {
    "c64bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "c64bridge@latest"],
      "env": {
        "C64_MODE": "vice",
        "VICE_VISIBLE": "true",
        "VICE_ARGS": "-minimized",
        "VICE_WARP": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Headless automation, VICE runs without a visible desktop window:

{
  "servers": {
    "c64bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "c64bridge@latest"],
      "env": {
        "C64_MODE": "vice",
        "VICE_VISIBLE": "false",
        "VICE_WARP": "true"
      }
    }
  }
}

If VICE is installed outside the usual search paths, add VICE_BINARY and, if ROM/resource auto-detection fails, VICE_DIRECTORY to either example.

[!NOTE] VICE supports only the operations marked with a VICE checkmark in the MCP API Reference. Unsupported operations return unsupported_platform.

Runtime Backend Switching

Configure any combination of c64u, u2, and vice. C64 Bridge starts on C64_MODE (default c64u) and keeps every configured backend ready for c64_select_backend.

Profile Targets Key limits
c64u C64 Ultimate, Ultimate 64 Full Ultimate REST surface, including machine input and streaming.
u2 U2, U2+, U2+L Shared REST subset; no machine input, debug registers, power-off, or streaming.
vice VICE emulator Binary Monitor-backed emulator controls; no Ultimate REST API.

Use c64://platform/status to inspect the active backend and available tools. State the target in the same prompt, for example u2: list drives, c64u: run this PRG, or vice: write HELLO. On U2-family cartridges, c64_system power_cycle uses REST reboot; C64U/U64 uses verified Tool Menu navigation, and VICE starts fresh.

Prompt illustration (issued via Copilot in VS Code, using GPT 5.4 Medium):

c64u: write a small BASIC program that clears the screen and prints HELLO C64U
vice: write a small BASIC program that clears the screen and prints HELLO VICE

The screenshots below are available for the two backends that provide frame capture. C64U uses streamed video frames; VICE captures and normalizes its display. U2-family cartridges do not provide firmware streaming, so they intentionally have no screenshot row.

Backend Screenshot
C64 Ultimate C64 Ultimate backend switch example
U2-family Frame capture unavailable (no firmware streaming).
VICE VICE backend switch example

VS Code MCP Setup

This section covers the GitHub Copilot integration that ships with VS Code. For the Claude Code VS Code plugin, see Claude Code — it reads .mcp.json, not .vscode/mcp.json.

If this repository is checked out locally, open the prepared .vscode/mcp.json.

Otherwise, put the following into your own .vscode/mcp.json:

{
  "servers": {
    "c64bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "c64bridge@latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Then click the start button shown above the c64bridge entry.

Your MCP server should now be running:

VS Code Started MCP server

For more details, see the official VS Code MCP Server documentation.

Enable the C64 Agent

After the server is running, switch to the C64 agent in VS Code.

This agent is preconfigured for Commodore 64 work. It steers Copilot toward c64bridge workflows for BASIC, 6502 assembly, SID audio, VIC-II graphics, memory inspection, disk operations, printing, streaming, and device control.

VS Code C64 agent

Optional Overrides

You can add env entries in .vscode/mcp.json to select a config file, override C64 Ultimate connection details, or force an initial backend:

{
  "servers": {
    "c64bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "c64bridge@latest"
      ],
      "env": {
        "C64BRIDGE_CONFIG": "/home/you/.c64bridge.json",
        "C64U_HOST": "192.168.1.99",
        "C64U_PORT": "80",
        "C64U_PASSWORD": "secret",
        "C64_MODE": "c64u",
        "LOG_LEVEL": "debug"
      }
    }
  }
}
  • C64BRIDGE_CONFIG points to a specific config file
  • C64U_HOST, C64U_PORT, and C64U_PASSWORD override the C64 Ultimate connection without editing config files
  • C64_MODE forces the initial backend to c64u, u2, or vice; U2_HOST, U2_PORT, and U2_PASSWORD override the selected U2 profile.
  • LOG_LEVEL=debug enables verbose logging

For VICE-specific overrides such as VICE_ARGS=-minimized, VICE_VISIBLE=false, or custom VICE paths, use the patterns in Backend Configuration: VICE.

Environment Variables in MCP Client Configs

Every runtime environment variable documented in the root mcp.json can be supplied by your MCP client configuration, including .vscode/mcp.json under servers.c64bridge.env.

When an environment variable maps to a JSON config field, the override order is always:

  1. the explicit environment variable from your MCP client config or shell
  2. the merged JSON config section loaded from C64BRIDGE_CONFIG, the repo .c64bridge.json, then ~/.c64bridge.json
  3. the built-in default compiled into the server

When an environment variable has no JSON config equivalent, the order is:

  1. the explicit environment variable from your MCP client config or shell
  2. the built-in default

That rule applies uniformly across the documented runtime environment variables below.

Example: start on minimized VICE with a specific ROM or resource directory, plus a hardware fallback that can still be selected instantly at runtime:

{
  "servers": {
    "c64bridge": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["${workspaceFolder}/scripts/start.mjs"],
      "type": "stdio",
      "env": {
        "C64_MODE": "vice",
        "C64U_HOST": "c64u",
        "C64U_PORT": "80",
        "VICE_BINARY": "/usr/local/bin/x64sc",
        "VICE_DIRECTORY": "/usr/local/share/vice",
        "VICE_VISIBLE": "true",
        "VICE_ARGS": "-minimized",
        "VICE_WARP": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example: keep JSON config files for backend endpoints, but override diagnostics, polling, and RAG behavior from VS Code:

{
  "servers": {
    "c64bridge": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["${workspaceFolder}/scripts/start.mjs"],
      "type": "stdio",
      "env": {
        "C64BRIDGE_CONFIG": "/home/you/.c64bridge.json",
        "LOG_LEVEL": "debug",
        "C64BRIDGE_POLL_MAX_MS": "8000",
        "C64BRIDGE_POLL_INTERVAL_MS": "200",
        "RAG_BUILD_ON_START": "1",
        "RAG_EMBEDDINGS_DIR": "/home/you/c64bridge-data"
      }
    }
  }
}

Runtime Environment Variable Reference

Every runtime environment variable documented in mcp.json can be set in your MCP client configuration, including .vscode/mcp.json under servers.c64bridge.env.

Server Runtime

Variable Default JSON Config Key Description
C64_MODE c64u Select active backend (c64u/U64 hardware, u2/U2-family cartridge, or vice emulator)
C64_TASK_STATE_FILE auto Override the path used to persist MCP background-task state
C64BRIDGE_CONFIG ~/.c64bridge.json config path Path to configuration JSON
C64BRIDGE_DIAGNOSTICS_DIR ~/.c64bridge/diagnostics Override the directory where persistent MCP diagnostics files are written
C64BRIDGE_DISABLE_DIAGNOSTICS 0 Set to 1 to disable persistent diagnostics logging
C64BRIDGE_POLL_INTERVAL_MS 200 Interval between screen polls during program-output validation in normal runtime mode
C64BRIDGE_POLL_MAX_MS 2000 Maximum time to poll for program-output validation before timing out in normal runtime mode
C64BRIDGE_POLL_STABILIZE_MS 100 Extra settle time after a successful poll match before considering output stable
LOG_LEVEL info Logger verbosity (debug, info, warn, error)

C64 Ultimate

Variable Default JSON Config Key Description
C64U_HOST c64u c64u.host Override the C64 Ultimate host name or IP address
C64U_PASSWORD c64u.networkPassword Override the C64 Ultimate network password sent as X-Password
C64U_PORT 80 c64u.port Override the C64 Ultimate REST port

U2-family

Variable Default JSON Config Key Description
U2_HOST u2.host Override the U2/U2+/U2+L host name or IP address when C64_MODE=u2
U2_PASSWORD u2.networkPassword Override the U2-family network password sent as X-Password when C64_MODE=u2
U2_PORT u2.port Override the U2-family REST port when C64_MODE=u2

VICE Runtime

Variable Default JSON Config Key Description
DISABLE_XVFB 0 Set to 1 to disable Xvfb fallback and use the current display only
FORCE_XVFB 0 Set to 1 to force managed VICE launches to use Xvfb even when a graphical session is detected
VICE_ARGS vice.args Extra command-line arguments forwarded to managed VICE launches, such as -minimized for a visible window that starts iconified
VICE_BINARY x64sc vice.exe VICE binary to launch for managed emulator sessions and audio capture; automatic search is used only when this override is missing or invalid
VICE_DIRECTORY auto-detect vice.directory Override the VICE resource directory used for ROM and UI asset discovery; automatic search is used only when this override is missing or invalid
VICE_HOST 127.0.0.1 vice.host Override the VICE Binary Monitor host
VICE_PORT 6502 vice.port Override the VICE Binary Monitor port
VICE_PREWARM 0 vice.prewarm Set to 1 to start/connect VICE in the background during MCP startup; disabled by default so VICE starts lazily on first use
VICE_VISIBLE true vice.visible Launch VICE as a desktop window when true; use headless/Xvfb managed launch when false
VICE_WARP false when visible, true when headless vice.warp Enable warp mode for managed VICE sessions
VICE_XVFB_DISPLAY :99 Display number to use when managed VICE launches under Xvfb

VICE Audio Capture

Variable Default JSON Config Key Description
VICE_LIMIT_CYCLES 120000000 Maximum CPU cycles to render when VICE generates audio
VICE_MODE ntsc Default video standard for VICE audio capture (ntsc|pal)
VICE_RUN_TIMEOUT_MS 10000 Timeout for headless VICE runs in milliseconds

SID Playback

Variable Default JSON Config Key Description
SIDPLAY_BINARY sidplayfp sidplayfp binary to launch when generating audio
SIDPLAY_LIMIT_CYCLES 120000000 Maximum CPU cycles to render when sidplayfp generates audio
SIDPLAY_MODE ntsc Default SID playback mode (ntsc|pal)
SIDPLAYFP_BINARY Legacy alias for SIDPLAY_BINARY (sidplayfp executable name)

RAG

Variable Default JSON Config Key Description
GITHUB_TOKEN Personal access token used for optional RAG discovery against GitHub
RAG_BUILD_ON_START 0 Set to 1 to rebuild embeddings on server start
RAG_DISCOVER_FORCE_REFRESH 0 Set to 1 to ignore cached discovery results when fetching external docs
RAG_DOC_FILES Comma-separated extra docs to include in RAG
RAG_EMBEDDINGS_DIR data Directory containing RAG embedding JSON files
RAG_REINDEX_INTERVAL_MS 0 Periodic reindex interval in ms (0 disables)

Testing

Variable Default JSON Config Key Description
C64_TEST_TARGET Overrides integration tests to hit mock or real hardware (mock|real)

Claude Code

Claude Code is supported as a first-class MCP client. It uses the same canonical start command and the same backend Configuration files and environment variables as every other client — only the discovery file differs.

Claude Code CLI — register the published server in one command:

claude mcp add c64bridge -- npx -y c64bridge@latest

Use --scope user to make it available across all your projects, or --scope project to write a .mcp.json next to the current repo. Backend selection (c64u, u2, or vice), host, port, and password come from the same files documented in Configuration; per-shell overrides come from the variables in Runtime Environment Variable Reference.

Project-scoped discovery — this repository ships a checked-in .mcp.json that points Claude Code at the local source via node scripts/start.mjs. When you open the repo with claude (CLI or VS Code plugin), Claude Code prompts to enable the project-scoped server on first run. Approve it once and the c64_* tools become discoverable in that workspace.

Claude Code VS Code plugin — the plugin reads the same .mcp.json and the same user-scope claude mcp add registrations as the CLI. No extra setup is required beyond installing the plugin and approving the project server prompt. The existing .vscode/mcp.json is read by GitHub Copilot, not by Claude Code; the two files coexist without conflict because they target different clients with different config schemas.

Verify it works — after registration, run claude mcp list (CLI) or open the MCP panel (plugin) and look for c64bridge. Then ask Claude Code something like “use vice: write a small BASIC program that clears the screen and prints HELLO CLAUDE” — it should call c64_select_backend and c64_program directly. If tools do not appear, confirm Node 24+ is on PATH, that the server was approved at the requested scope, and that the backend is reachable per the Configuration section.

Example Workflow

Compose a children’s song with ChatGPT and VS Code:

duck song

Then render PETSCII art for it:

duck petscii

This is representative of the intended workflow:

  1. Ask the MCP client to generate or refine C64-oriented content.
  2. Use grouped tools such as c64_program, c64_graphics, and c64_sound to execute it.
  3. Verify the result via screen reads, frame capture, memory inspection, or audio analysis.

HTTP Invocation

  • Preferred transport is stdio.
  • The HTTP bridge is disabled by default and is intended only for manual testing.
  • The following curl commands are illustrative so you can see what grouped MCP calls look like over HTTP.
# Upload and run BASIC
curl -s -X POST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"op":"upload_run_basic","program":"10 PRINT \"HELLO\"\n20 GOTO 10"}' \
  http://localhost:8000/tools/c64_program | jq

# Read current screen (PETSCII→ASCII)
curl -s -X POST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"op":"read_screen"}' \
  http://localhost:8000/tools/c64_memory | jq

# Reset the machine
curl -s -X POST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"op":"reset"}' \
  http://localhost:8000/tools/c64_system

Build and Test

The ./build script at the project root wraps all development tasks behind a single, self-documented interface:

./build --help                                       # full command reference
./build                                              # install + build + test matrix (full CI run)
./build --skip-tests                                 # install + build only
./build build                                        # TypeScript compile + doc generation
./build test                                         # integration tests (mock backend)
./build test --real                                  # test against real hardware
./build test --platform vice --target mock           # single test leg
./build test:matrix                                  # full matrix (c64u/mock · vice/mock · vice/device)
./build coverage                                     # merged coverage report
./build coverage:single --platform c64u --target mock
./build check                                        # build + test matrix (no install)
./build rag:rebuild                                  # rebuild RAG embeddings
./build release --version 1.2.3                      # prepare a release

Starting the MCP server is not managed by ./build. Use npm start (from source) or npx -y c64bridge@latest (published package) as shown in the Quick Start section above.

Documentation

Static MCP Interface

The repository contains an auto-generated static mirror of the MCP server interface in the ./mcp folder.

This allows agents to inspect the available tools, resources, prompts, and schemas without connecting to the server.

MCP API Reference

This MCP server exposes 17 tools, 27 resources, and 10 prompts for controlling your Commodore 64.

Tools

Address range convention: address + length means start address plus byte count; startAddress + endAddress means inclusive bounds.

c64_batch

Execute multiple c64bridge tool calls in a single request. Reduces latency for multi-step workflows.

No operations defined.

c64_config

Grouped entry point for configuration reads/writes, diagnostics, and snapshots.

Operation Description Required Inputs Optional Inputs C64U U2 VICE
batch_update Apply multiple configuration updates in a single request.
diff Compare the current configuration with a snapshot. path
get Read a configuration category or specific item. category item
info Retrieve Ultimate hardware information and status.
list List configuration categories reported by the firmware.
load_flash Load configuration from flash storage.
read_debugreg Read the Ultimate debug register ($D7FF).
reset_defaults Reset firmware configuration to factory defaults.
restore Restore configuration from a snapshot file. path applyToFlash=false
save_flash Persist the current configuration to flash storage.
set Write a configuration value in the selected category. category, item, value
shuffle Discover PRG/CRT files and run each with optional screen capture. root="/", extensions=["prg","crt"], durationMs=5000, captureScreen=true, maxPrograms=10, outputPath, resetDelayMs=100
snapshot Snapshot configuration to disk for later restore or diff. path
version Fetch firmware version details.
write_debugreg Write a hex value to the Ultimate debug register ($D7FF). value

c64_debug

Grouped entry point for VICE debugger operations (breakpoints, registers, stepping).

Operation Description Required Inputs Optional Inputs C64U U2 VICE
continue_execution Exit the Binary Monitor and resume CPU execution (BM 0xAA Exit).
create_checkpoint Create a new checkpoint (breakpoint) in VICE. address endAddress, stopOnHit=true, enabled=true, temporary=false, label, operations, memspace
delete_checkpoint Remove a checkpoint by id. id
get_checkpoint Fetch a single checkpoint by id. id
get_monitor_state Read CPU registers and return the current monitor state. memspace
get_registers Read register values, optionally filtered by name or id. memspace, registers
list_checkpoints List all active VICE checkpoints (breakpoints).
list_registers List available registers (metadata). memspace
nuclear_reset Kill and restart the VICE process (managed instances only).
set_condition Attach a conditional expression to a checkpoint. id, expression
set_registers Write register values. writes memspace
step Single-step CPU execution. count=1, mode
step_return Continue execution until the current routine returns.
toggle_checkpoint Enable or disable a checkpoint by id. id, enabled
wait_for_state Poll CPU registers until PC equals expectedPC or timeout elapses. expectedPC, timeoutMs=5000, pollMs=100

c64_disk

Grouped entry point for disk mounts, listings, image creation, and program discovery.

Operation Description Required Inputs Optional Inputs C64U U2 VICE
create_image Create a blank disk image of the specified format. format, path diskname, tracks
file_info Inspect metadata for a file on the Ultimate filesystem. path
find_and_run Search for a PRG/CRT by name substring and run the first match. nameContains root="/", extensions, caseInsensitive=true, sort="discovered", waitMs=0, captureCandidates=10
list_drives List Ultimate drive slots and their mounted images.
mount Mount a disk image with optional verification and retries. Supports verification. drive, image type, attachmentMode, driveMode,