Introduction to DevCPC CLI
DevCPC CLI is a modern Software Development Kit (SDK) for developing Amstrad CPC applications using Basic and Z80 assembly on macOS, Linux, and Windows WSL.What is DevCPC?
DevCPC was born from the need to compile the 8BP library for Amstrad CPC on non-Windows operating systems natively. Thanks to the ABASM assembler created by fragarco, this has been possible. From there, new features have been implemented to facilitate the development of Basic and assembly projects for Amstrad CPC.Why Use DevCPC?
Cross-Platform
Develop on macOS, Linux, or Windows WSL with native tooling
Automated Workflow
One command to compile, build, and run your CPC projects
Modern Tools
Integrated assembler, disk image creation, and emulator support
8BP Integration
Full support for the powerful 8BP game development library
Key Features
Automated Compilation
- ✅ 8BP - Compilation of the 8BP programming library (make_all_*.asm)
- ✅ ASM - Z80 assembly code compilation
- ✅ BASIC - BASIC file handling and compilation with Abasc (in progress)
- ✅ RAW - Binary files without AMSDOS header
- ✅ C - C code compiled with SDCC for 8BP
- ✅ DSK - Generation of DSK disk images with all project files
- ✅ CDT - Generation of CDT tape images with files in specified order
- ✅ CPR - Generation of CPR cartridges for GX-4000 and CPC Plus
- ✅ Retro Virtual Machine - Test on RVM emulator with a single command
- ✅ M4 Board - Testing on M4 board with a single command (In development)
- ✅ Loading Screens - Create loading screens from PNG images
- ✅ Sprites - Create sprites from PNG images
- ✅ Project Creation - Create projects with Basic, ASM, or 8BP examples
- ✅ VS Code Extension - Extension to facilitate compilation workflow
Integrated Tools
- ✅ ABASM - Z80 assembler
- ✅ dsk.py - DSK image management
- ✅ cdt.py - CDT tape image management
- ✅ map.py - INI configuration file management
- ✅ hex2bin - Conversion for C code (cross-platform)
- ✅ png2asm.py - Automatic PNG to ASM conversion (sprites)
- ✅ img.py - Automatic PNG to SCN conversion (screens)
Optional Tools
- SDCC - Small Device C Compiler
- RetroVirtualMachine - Amstrad CPC Emulator (v2.0 BETA-1 R7 required)
Supported Platforms
macOS
ARM64 and x86_64
Linux
ARM64 and x86_64
Windows
WSL or Git Bash
Requirements
Core Requirements
- Python 3.x - For build scripts (included)
Optional Requirements
- SDCC - Only if you want to compile C code
- RetroVirtualMachine - Only if you want to use
devcpc run - Pillow (Python library) - Only if you want to convert images to ASM/SCN
What Can You Build?
With DevCPC CLI, you can create:- Games using the 8BP library or pure Z80 assembly
- Applications combining BASIC and assembly code
- Demos with custom graphics and effects
- Tools compiled from C using SDCC
- DSK disk images for standard CPC models
- CDT tape images for authentic retro experience
- CPR cartridges for GX-4000 and CPC Plus
Next Steps
Installation
Install DevCPC CLI on your system
Quick Start
Create your first CPC project
License
MIT License - Copyright (c) 2026 DestroyerCredits
- jjaranda13 - Creator of 8BP
- fragarco - Creator of ABASM
- Javi Fernandez - Creator of 8bp-graphics-converter