How to build a C64 analysis pipeline
The author used a reviewed planning workflow and DeepSeek in Pi to implement C64 trace capture, analysis and decompilation, then recreate an intro and build tools to assemble, package and run it.
news.ycombinator.comSuggested prompt
Suggested prompt written by Agents In Use, not the source author. Replace bracketed inputs and review tool permissions first.
Help build [C64 demo analysis project]. First clarify requirements through questions and review the plan. Then implement VICE trace capture, Clojure-based storage, write-pattern and timing analysis, and assembly output. Track phases and decisions in [plan directory], and validate against [selected demo].
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Sourced account- Source poster / publisher
- clx75
- Original account
- Read the source ↗
- Published
- Source link checked
- Reported result
- The author reports a working C64 capture and analysis pipeline, an intro implementation delivered after two days, and assembler, linker and packaging tools that create a PRG and run it in VICE.
- Human involvement
- The author answered planning questions, supplied implementation nudges and used an intro recreation as the first test of the developing pipeline.
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How the agent did it
- Clarified the project through agent questions and repeated higher-level model reviews.
- Created a plan directory and supplied it to a new Pi implementation session.
- Built trace capture from VICE into optimized binary chunks through Clojure.
The author describes a planning process followed by implementation in a new Pi session using DeepSeek 4.1 Flash. A planning agent asks pointed questions, requests higher-level model reviews and continues clarification until the reviewer declares the plan ready. The resulting directory contains an implementation plan plus files for phases, decisions and an implementation diary.
One reported project was a capture, analysis and decompilation pipeline for C64 demos. The author asks the agent to start a selected demo in VICE and gives on/off instructions for capture. VICE trace output passes into Clojure and is stored as optimized binary chunks. The analysis pipeline examines hardware and memory writes and their timing, separates execution into inferred segment types, and decompiles those segments into traditional assembly and a round-trippable s-expression syntax.
As an initial test, the author requested a clean-room implementation of Fairlight's intro. They report receiving it two days later, including the music routine and data. They then had the agent write an assembler, linker and packager to create a PRG and run it through VICE.
Who it's for: Developers investigating retrocomputer effects who can specify tooling and steer implementation.
Prompt
Suggested prompt (written by Agents In Use, not the author's)
Source: Hacker News · clx75
Frequently asked questions
How did the author prepare work for implementation?
A planning agent questioned the author and sought repeated higher-level reviews. The implementation session then received a directory containing the plan and supporting tracking files.
What did the C64 pipeline analyze?
It examined what executed code wrote to VIC, SID, CIA and memory, and when those writes occurred by rasterline and cycle. It then segmented and decompiled the trace.
More details
Remaining steps
- Analyzed write patterns and timing, then segmented and decompiled execution traces.
- Requested an intro implementation and added assembly, linking and PRG packaging tools.
About this account
DeepSeek implemented work phase by phase from reviewed plans, with occasional steering from the author and explicit human capture commands.
Platform: Hacker News. Attribution: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50130128. Prompt: Suggested (written by Agents In Use, not the author's). Sourced by the Agents In Use pipeline.
Credit: clx75 on Hacker News
Source published
Added to Agents In Use
Source checked
Tools and topics
Pi · DeepSeek 4.1 Flash · VICE · Clojure · start_jvm · clojure_eval
C64 · Clojure · Decompilation · Agent planning
Editorial completeness: 100/100. Measures documented fields, not agent performance or verified outcomes.