antirez

antirez / ZOT

Public

ZOT is a Z80, ZX Spectrum 48k and CP/M emulator

46
6
100% credibility
Found Feb 28, 2026 at 26 stars -- GitGems finds repos before they trend. Get early access to the next one.
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AI Analysis
C
AI Summary

ZOT emulates the Z80 CPU, ZX Spectrum 48K computer, and CP/M 2.2 OS in plain C for running retro games and software accurately.

How It Works

1
👀 Discover retro fun

You stumble upon ZOT, a simple app that brings back 1980s computers like the ZX Spectrum for games or CP/M for old programs.

2
📥 Get it running

Download the files and launch the program on your computer with a quick build step.

3
Pick your era
🕹️
Spectrum mode

Dive into classic games with pixel graphics and beeps.

⌨️
CP/M mode

Run vintage word processors, BASIC, or adventures from the command line.

4
📁 Drop in your files

Drag old game snapshots, tapes, or programs into the window to load instantly.

5
⌨️ Play with familiar keys

Use your keyboard or arrows for joystick to control everything just like the originals.

✨ Relive the magic

Watch games load perfectly or type away in old software, feeling the nostalgia rush.

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Star Growth

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AI-Generated Review

What is ZOT?

ZOT is a compact Z80 CPU, ZX Spectrum 48K, and CP/M 2.2 emulator in C, delivering accurate emulation with no dependencies beyond the standard library (SDL optional for Spectrum frontend). Users boot into Spectrum BASIC, load Z80 snapshots or TZX/TAP tapes via SDL app (`zxsdl game.tzx`), or run CP/M via terminal (`cpmcon /path/to/software`) with built-in CCP supporting DIR, TYPE, and .COM loading. It solves retro computing by running classics like Zork or WordStar self-contained, even on microcontrollers like RP2040.

Why is it gaining traction?

This project zot github stands out as an AI-clean-room build (Claude-generated), passing exhaustive ZEXALL tests for Z80 flags/timing while staying under 7K LOC—far leaner than Fuse or OpenMSX. Devs hook on the embeddable core APIs for custom frontends, Spectrum contention/audio rendering, and full CP/M BDOS without binaries; plus a download script grabs zott monte-era software like Turbo Pascal.

Who should use this?

Retro devs emulating Spectrum 48K games/tapes, historians firing CP/M apps (WordStar, MBASIC, Zork), or embedded engineers needing a z80, cp/m, or spectrum emulator in C for MCU projects. Ideal for zotero connector-like tools scripting old binaries, not high-end PC recreations.

Verdict

Worth trying for z80/c/pm/spectrum niches despite 19 stars and 1.0% credibility—100% ZEXALL pass, 300+ unit tests, and crisp README make it mature enough for production embeds. Pairs well with zotac hardware experiments; pass if you need 128K+ models.

(198 words)

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