A new CP/M-65 update has arrived for the Commodore 64, and it’s the most practical release yet. Although this port of CP/M won’t run Z80 code, it’s a native 6502 rewrite that turns the C64 into a capable CP/M-65 system—complete with tools, editors, and a BASIC interpreter.
This latest CP/M-65 update delivers real improvements. The addition of a fastloader drastically improves disk speeds, making file operations far more tolerable. Combined with a new screen driver and full use of the 64kB address space, the system now feels less like a demo and more like something you might actually want to use.
The disk image boots straight into a full suite of utilities: an assembler, disassembler, command-line editor, VI-style editor, Atari BASIC, demos, and more. These are the same binaries used across the CP/M-65 family of platforms—including the VIC-20 and PET—which means files can be moved between systems without modification. Each platform has its own boot code, but the core programs remain compatible.
This CP/M-65 update doesn’t just improve the C64 version. It reflects a broader push across many 6502 systems: BBC Micro, Apple IIe, Atari 800XL, Commander X16, and even the Super Nintendo. Yes, that’s right—CP/M-65 boots on the SNES with RAMdisks and floppy access if you’ve got the hardware.
The only catch with this Commodore 64 version is compatibility. Because of the fastloader, it currently only works with a 1541 or compatible drive. Devices like the SD2IEC aren’t supported yet, though solutions may come in time. The fastloader hasn’t been tested on real hardware either—VICE emulator users report good results, but confirmation from a real 1541 drive would be helpful.
For the curious or adventurous, downloads are available now on GitHub: https://github.com/davidgiven/cpm65.
