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Regenerator 2000

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The Modern 6502 Disassembler

Regenerator 2000 is an interactive disassembler for the Commodore 64 and other 6502-based systems. It supports two primary workflows:

  • 🕹ī¸ Manual Analysis — Use the keyboard-centric terminal interface to navigate code, define data regions, label subroutines, add comments, and refine your disassembly.
  • 🤖 Automated Analysis — Use the built-in MCP Server and skills so AI assistants classify blocks, trace routines, and name symbols automatically.

Use either workflow independently, or combine them. Run an initial pass with the AI, and then refine the results interactively.

Views Overview

Inspect your binary through specialized views:

The Code View: Navigate and disassemble code, follow jumps, and manage labels.

Disassembly View

The Data View: Inspect raw memory to identify patterns in data and tables.

Hexdump View

Character Graphics: Inspect 8x8 character data directly in the terminal.

Charset View

Sprite Viewer: Inspect 24x21 hardware sprites in single-color or multicolor mode.

Sprites View

Bitmap Mode: Render memory as a high-resolution or multicolor bitmap.

Bitmap View

Structure Analysis: Inspect how Regenerator 2000 segments the binary into code and data blocks.

Blocks View

Live Debugging: Connect to VICE to inspect registers, memory, and breakpoints, and step through code.

Debugger View

Key Features

  • 🚀 6502 & Undocumented Opcodes: Supports the full 6502 instruction set and undocumented opcodes.
  • ⚡ Fast TUI: Uses Rust to deliver responsive terminal rendering.
  • 🧠 Analysis: Creates labels and cross-reference comments automatically.
  • âĒ Undo/Redo: Reverts or reapplies any editing action.
  • 🏷ī¸ Labels & Comments: Renames subroutines and variables to improve readability.
  • 📂 Scopes: Organizes code into lexical namespaces.
  • đŸ”ĸ Enums: Defines and applies System, Global, and Project value-to-name mappings to replace numeric literals with semantic names.
  • đŸ“Ļ Binary Unpacker: Emulates a cycle-accurate 6502 sandbox to unpack compressed programs automatically.
  • 🎨 Custom Themes: Customizes interface colors with TOML theme files.
  • 🐛 VICE Debugger Integration: Connects to a running VICE emulator to step through code, inspect registers, and set breakpoints or watchpoints.
  • 🤖 MCP Integration: Connects AI assistants to the disassembler for automated analysis.
  • 💾 Project Saving: Saves project state to disk so you can resume work later.
  • 📤 Export: Generates assembly code for multiple assemblers, or exports HTML files with clickable cross-references.

Quick Start

  1. Install:

    cargo install regenerator2000

  2. Run:

    regenerator2000 my_game.prg

    When you import a new binary, use the Import Context dialog to configure the System, Origin, and Entry Point.

  3. Explore:

    • Move: Use the arrow keys, mini map, or jump commands.
    • Disassemble: Press D to convert bytes to code.
    • Define Data: Press B to convert regions to data bytes.
    • Comment: Press ; to add a side comment.
    • Rename: Press L to rename a label.

Get Started Now{ .md-button .md-button--primary }

Documentation

Tutorial

A standard workflow loads a file, identifies code and data regions, adds labels, and refines the disassembly iteratively.

flowchart TD
    S1[1. Load File] --> S2[2. Explore]
    S2 --> S3[3-6. Disassemble, Define Data, Labels, Comments]
    S3 --> S7[7. Save]
    S3 --> S2
    S7 --> Q{Debug?}
    Q -- No --> S10[10. Export to .asm / .html]
    Q -- Yes --> S8[8. Connect to VICE]
    S8 --> S9[9. Live Debugging]
    S9 --> S2
    S10 --> Done[Assemble it, patch it, etc.]

Read the full tutorial for a complete step-by-step walkthrough.