Open Source · C64 Ultimate · 8 KB ROM

HDN Shell
A modern shell for the C64

HDN Shell replaces Commodore 64 BASIC with a Linux-inspired terminal experience — AI-enabled, cloud-connected, and still fits in the original 8 KB ROM space.

BASIC reimagined for the modern era

The Commodore 64 Ultimate cartridge gives the C64 network access, USB storage, and full DMA control. HDN Shell takes full advantage of that: it strips away the rarely-used parts of C64 BASIC and replaces them with a clean command-line interface inspired by Linux terminals — staying within the same 8 KB ROM budget.

On top of the local shell, an HDN Cloud Server runs on your PC and streams full 40×25 screen applications directly to the C64 display over the network. Browse the web, edit files, chat on Telegram, and run an AI coding assistant — all from a 40-year-old machine.

HDN Shell also integrates parts of SMON, one of the finest machine language monitors ever written for the C64, giving you a full assembler, memory inspector, and single-step debugger right in the ROM.

Features

What you get

Linux-style shell

Familiar commands, scrollable terminal buffer, command history, and keyboard shortcuts — on a C64.

AI assistance

Type i: followed by any question and get an answer from a cloud AI that knows the C64 and HDN Shell. It can even read your screen and type commands for you.

AI web search on C64 AI screen reading AI types keys on C64

Filesystem & DOS

Navigate disk drives and directories, copy, move, rename, and delete files. Includes a full-screen file manager.

ML monitor (SMON)

Integrated machine language monitor with assembler, disassembler, memory inspector, and single-step debugger.

Text-mode web browser

Server-side Chromium renders pages (including JavaScript), then streams PETSCII output to the C64. Supports tabs, bookmarks, and history.

File editor

A full-featured text editor running on the server, streamed to the C64. Tabs, find & replace, split-pane, and an embedded shell console.

AI coding agent

Describe what you want to build. The agent writes C code, compiles it with oscar64, and uploads the .prg to your C64U — automatically.

Telegram client

Full Telegram client over MTProto — browse chats, read and send messages, manage contacts — from the C64 keyboard.

RSS reader

Hacker News, BBC, CSDB Releases and any feed you add, displayed in a clean 40-column layout.

Wikipedia browser

Multi-language Wikipedia reader stripped down for 40×25 PETSCII. Link navigation, page history, and a table-of-contents overlay.

PySIC programming

A Python-inspired language that compiles to 6502 machine code — a modern alternative to C64 BASIC programming.

PySIC programming

Cloud integration

Server apps stream their full 40×25 screen to the C64 via DMA. Switch between consoles instantly with C= + number.

HDN Shell Web UI start screen HDN Shell Web Remote Control
Videos

Watch it running

Getting started with HDN Shell

Installation, first boot, and connecting your C64 Ultimate to the cloud server.

AI assistance on a real C64

Asking questions, screen reading, and letting the AI type commands for you.

Cloud apps: browser, editor, Telegram

A tour of the five server-side console apps streamed to the C64 display.

More videos on the Hondani YouTube channel.

The team

Hondani

Hondani is a small group of C64 enthusiasts who build tools that bring the Commodore 64 into the modern era without losing its soul. We care about elegant solutions, minimal complexity, and actually shipping things that run on real hardware.

slesinger

Lead developer, architect

Contributor 2

Firmware & ROM

Contributor 3

Cloud server & apps

Want to contribute? Fork us on GitHub or open an issue to get started.

Documentation

User manual

Complete documentation for HDN Shell — installation, shell commands, cloud apps, programming, and more.