AtariCode800
Write, build, and run Atari 400/800 programs without leaving VS Code —
Atari BASIC, 6502 assembly, and C.
What you can do
- Write Atari BASIC with color. Syntax highlighting for Atari BASIC, 6502
assembly (ca65), and linker configs, plus matching light and dark themes
(
atari800-light, atari800-dark). Syntax errors and dead code are
highlighted as you type.
- Build and run in one click. Open a
.ULST file and
use the editor's Run button, the right-click menu, or the Command Palette to
build it and launch it in the atari800 emulator.
- Make a tokenized
.BAS file. Build .BAS from .LST produces a program
that loads on a real Atari, with a button to reveal it in Finder/Explorer.
- Look inside your program. Open BASIC Inspector shows the listing (full
or abbreviated), the tokenized bytes, and your variables.
- Type in real Atari characters. Use the ATASCII palettes to insert
inverse, special, and drawing characters, or invert selected text.
- Write in plain Unicode. Author in
.ULST and it's converted to
ATASCII automatically when you run it. Lines starting with ; or # are
host-only comments and are dropped on conversion.
- Bring in existing programs.
.LST (ATASCII) and .BAS files can't be
opened directly in the editor. Right-click one and choose Import LST/BAS as
ULST… to open it as a new, unsaved .ULST document, then save it where you
like.
- Need something to try? Got BASIC? Download a Program fetches sample
programs.
- Assemble 6502 code. Build
.s/.asm files with ca65 and ld65, then run
the result.
Quick start
- Install the extension.
- Open a
.ULST file, or get one: right-click an existing .LST or .BAS
and choose Import LST/BAS as ULST…, or try Got BASIC?.
- Press the Run button in the editor title bar, or run
Build LST and Run in atari800 from the Command Palette.
What you need
| Tool |
For |
Required? |
| Python 3.8+ |
building BASIC programs |
Yes |
| atari800 |
running programs |
For running |
cc65 (ca65, ld65, cl65) |
assembly and C |
Only for assembly/C |
If a tool isn't on your PATH, set its location in Settings (search
"AtariCode800").
File types
| Extension |
What it is |
.LST |
Atari BASIC listing in ATASCII — import it to edit |
.ULST |
Atari BASIC listing in Unicode — easiest to edit |
.BAS |
Tokenized Atari BASIC program — import it to view or edit |
.s, .asm |
6502 assembly |
Settings
Search "AtariCode800" in Settings to change:
- Emulator — path, machine (400/800 or 800XL), display options, turbo mode
- Build — Python, ca65, ld65, and cl65 locations
- Hard drive folder — optionally stage programs where the emulator's H:
drive can read them
- Inspector — start with the abbreviated listing
- Editor — error highlighting, ATASCII palette font
License
MIT — see LICENSE. Developers: see CONTRIBUTING.md.
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