Ross ROSS = Recommend OSS · open-source software intelligence for agents

cc65/cc65

cc65 - a freeware C compiler for 6502 based systems observed · 2026-08-28

github.com/cc65/cc65 · homepage · C · Zlib (permissive) observed · 2026-08-28

Health v2 · maintenance only

67/100

  • Activity 98
  • Release rhythm 8
  • Longevity 100
How is this computed?

round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10) — computed 2026-09-02. Adoption (stars, forks) is never an input.

  • gap_med: n/a
  • age_days: 4913
  • days_rel: n/a
  • days_push: 13
  • n_releases_24m: 0

Full methodology

Adoption not part of the score

2687 stars · 505 forks observed · 2026-08-28

What it is AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, 2026-08-30, confidence not recorded

cc65 is a complete cross-development suite for 65(C)02-based systems, including a C compiler, macro assembler, linker, archiver, and simulator. It provides C runtime library support for many classic 8-bit machines such as the Commodore 64, Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, and the NES.

Use cases

  • compile C programs for the Commodore 64
  • write NES games in C
  • cross-compile for Apple II
  • develop Atari 2600 homebrew software
  • assemble 6502 assembly code
  • build software for retro 8-bit computers
  • target the Commander X16 with C

When to choose

  • you need a C compiler targeting 6502-based retro hardware
  • you want a full toolchain (assembler, linker, archiver) for 8-bit development
  • you need runtime library support for classic machines like C64, Apple II, or NES

When to avoid

  • you target modern CPUs like x86 or ARM
  • you need a hosted compiler running on 6502 hardware itself
  • you require modern C standards compliance beyond what a small 8-bit compiler offers

Facets

cli-tool · maturity active

compiler interpreter developer-tools compilers embedded-systems windows cli cross-platform 6502 c-compiler cross-compiler retrocomputing assembler linker commodore atari nes 8-bit retro-computing game-development linux macos

2 sources

Member repositories

RepositoryRoleHealth v2
cc65/cc65main67

For agents

markdown · JSON · MCP: product_card(name="cc65/cc65")

Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00 · Report a problem