Q: What's a .hc file? What does it do?
A: A .hc file is a HoneyCrisp program format containing hexadecimal machine code plus a load address header. Programs load directly into memory and can auto-run without manual WOZMON entry.
Q: What's a .hcstate file?
A: A .hcstate file stores a full emulator snapshot, including CPU registers, RAM, and execution state. It allows exact session restoration.
Q: What's a .tur file?
A: A .tur file uses Uncle Bernie's TurboType™ format: an auto-typed loader stub combined with a CRC-verified fast transfer. It runs automatically on a successful transfer, or falls back to the monitor with an EE error if the checksum doesn't match.
Q: What's a .po file?
A: A .po file is a ProDOS disk image. Mount it through the CFFA1 Disk Loader (Ctrl+L) or by dropping it onto the terminal, then type 9000R to launch the CFFA1 menu and access it.
Q: How do I save and load emulator states?
A: Click "Save State" to download a .hcstate file. Use "Load State" to restore it. You can also enable auto-restore in Settings.
Q: What are the keyboard controls?
A:
Ctrl+H → Hard Reset (clears all memory)
Ctrl+S → Soft Reset (returns to WOZMON, keeps RAM)
Ctrl+E → Clear Screen
Ctrl+C → Break (stops Integer BASIC or Microsoft BASIC programs)
Ctrl+F → Toggle Fullscreen
Ctrl+B → Open Program Catalog
Ctrl+L → Open CFFA1 Disk Loader
Standard typing maps directly. Enter = Return.
Q: What are the technical specifications?
A:
CPU: MOS 6502 (~1 MHz, adjustable up to 10×)
Memory: 4KB–48KB configurable
Display: 40×24 text terminal, with selectable LCD or CRT display mode
Monitor: WOZMON ($FF00–$FFFF)
BASIC: Integer BASIC or Microsoft BASIC at $E000–$EFFF, AppleSoft Lite at $6000–$6FFF, or Enhanced BASIC at $5800–$7FFF (all require ≥8KB RAM)
ACI: Cassette interface at $C100–$C1FF
CFFA1: Virtual CompactFlash disk interface at $8700–$AFFF
KRUSADER: Assembler ROM at $F000–$FBFF (optional startup ROM)
Q: What is the memory layout?
A:
$0000–$00FF: Zero Page
$0100–$01FF: Stack
$0200–$59FF / $7FFF–$86FF: General RAM (depends on which optional ROMs are enabled)
$5800–$7FFF: Enhanced BASIC ROM (optional)
$6000–$6FFF: AppleSoft Lite ROM (optional)
$8700–$AFFF: CFFA1 Disk Interface (optional)
$C100–$C1FF: Cassette Interface (ACI)
$D000–$DFFF: I/O
$E000–$EFFF: Integer BASIC or Microsoft BASIC (optional, choose one via Settings)
$F000–$FBFF: KRUSADER ROM (optional startup ROM, can be disabled)
$FF00–$FFFF: WOZMON (System Monitor PROM)
Q: What ROM options are available?
A: Under Settings → Startup Options, you can choose whether the emulator boots into WOZMON, KRUSADER (assembler), or SmartyKit 1 (custom POST and demos). Under Settings → ROM Options and BASIC ROM Options you can individually enable or disable KRUSADER, Integer BASIC, AppleSoft Lite, Enhanced BASIC, and Microsoft BASIC. Note that Integer BASIC and Microsoft BASIC share the same address range, so enabling one disables the other.
Q: What is POST?
A: POST (Power-On Self Test) is an optional diagnostic check that runs on page load before booting into the selected ROM. Enable it under Settings → Startup Options.
Q: What's the difference between LCD and CRT display mode?
A: LCD mode renders a flat, high-contrast terminal. CRT mode emulates a curved monitor with scanlines and phosphor-style glow. Switch between them under Settings → Display Mode.
Q: How do I use KRUSADER and SmartyKit?
A: From KRUSADER, type $ to return to WOZMON. From SmartyKit, type F000R for the "Apple 30th Anniversary" demo, F800R for the counter, FC00R for pixel art, or FD00R for Hello World.
Q: What is the CFFA1 Disk Interface?
A: The CFFA1 emulates Rich Dreher's CompactFlash for Apple card, giving the emulator a virtual hard disk for ProDOS. Mount a .po disk image via Ctrl+L or drag-and-drop, then type 9000R to launch the CFFA1 menu. Only one disk image can be mounted at a time; use EJECT in the CFFA1 Disk Loader before mounting a different one.
Q: What is the Program Library?
A: A built-in collection of programs with search, categories, and favorites. Programs load instantly and many auto-run. Open it with Ctrl+B.
Q: Can I load my own programs?
A: Yes. Use the file loader (.hc, .bas, .txt, .tur), drag-and-drop files onto the terminal, or save memory back to .hc files.
Q: What is the Tape File Loader?
A: An emulation of the Apple-1 Cassette Interface. Supports loading and saving .WAV/.AIFF tape files using real Apple-1 encoding.
Important: Set CPU speed to 1.00× for tape operations.
Q: What does the Threshold setting do?
A: Controls cassette decoder sensitivity. The default of 30% works for most tapes. Lower it to 15–25% if decoding fails, or raise it if you're getting false reads.
Q: What settings are available?
A:
- RAM size (4KB–48KB)
- Startup ROM (WOZMON, KRUSADER, or SmartyKit 1)
- Individual ROM enable/disable (KRUSADER, Integer BASIC, AppleSoft Lite, Enhanced BASIC, Microsoft BASIC)
- POST on startup
- Display mode (LCD or CRT)
- Terminal theme
- Auto-restore session
Q: Can I control CPU speed?
A: Yes. Adjustable from 0.25× to 10×. Use 1.00× for accurate timing, and for all tape and CFFA1 disk operations.
Q: Do RAM or ROM changes require a reset?
A: Yes. Changing RAM size or toggling any ROM in Settings requires a Hard Reset to take effect. The emulator will prompt you to confirm before applying these changes.
Q: Browser requirements?
A: Any modern browser with JavaScript (ES6+), HTML5 Canvas, and the File API. No installation required.
Q: Why is the interface minimal?
A: To prioritize performance, maintain simplicity, and preserve a terminal-style experience.
Q: How do I get programs or source code?
A: Use the Program Library or export your own via Save RAM. Source code is available via the GitHub link on the main page.
Q: How do I run programs?
A: Load from the Program Library, open a file, or enter code via WOZMON.
Integer BASIC or Microsoft BASIC require ≥8KB RAM and can be started with E000R.
AppleSoft Lite can be started with 6000R, and Enhanced BASIC with 5800R.
(BASIC can also be started with E2B3R if loading a BASIC program directly into the environmental RAM.)
More questions coming soon...
© 2026 Landon Smith