Getting Started with ZX Spectrum Development

Set up your tools for ZX Spectrum programming.

What You Need

To develop for the ZX Spectrum, you need two things: a way to compile your code, and an emulator to run it.

⚙️ Dev Toolchain

Our Docker image includes PasmoNext assembler and zmakebas for BASIC.

Install

docker pull code198x/sinclair-zx-spectrum

Compile

BASIC

docker run --rm -v "$(pwd)":/code -w /code \
  code198x/sinclair-zx-spectrum zmakebas -o game.tap game.bas

Assembly

docker run --rm -v "$(pwd)":/code -w /code \
  code198x/sinclair-zx-spectrum pasmonext --tapbas game.asm game.tap

🖥️ Emulator

Install Fuse natively for the best experience.

macOS

brew install --cask fuse-emulator

Linux

sudo apt install fuse-emulator-gtk

Windows — Download from fuse-emulator.sourceforge.net

Run

fuse game.tap

Or drag the .tap file onto the Fuse window.

Ready to Build

Your tools are set up. Time to write some code.

Start with Assembly →