install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%

brew install prog8

local Homebrew formula metadata

overview

Package summary

Compiled programming language targeting the 8-bit 6502 CPU family

Project links

Commands and aliases

prog8c

history

Project history and usage

Prog8 is a compiled programming language and cross-compiler for 6502-family computers, designed to provide higher-level conveniences while remaining close to the hardware.

Project history

Prog8 began as a Python compiler and was rewritten in Kotlin in early 2022. Upstream credits the rewrite with improving performance, type safety, IDE support, and maintainability.

Subsequent development expanded the language and its target model while retaining the project's low-level 6502 focus. The documentation records milestones including Commander X16 support, new control structures and data types, and customizable machine targets.

Adoption history

Prog8 remains a specialist cross-development language centered on retrocomputing. Upstream documents package-manager installation, emulator-assisted development, and a community concentrated particularly around the Commander X16 while continuing to support Commodore targets.

How it is used

Developers compile .p8 modules with prog8c, select a target, and receive an assembled runnable program for real hardware or an emulator.

The compiler supports built-in targets and user-supplied target properties files. Because those files are explicitly selected project inputs rather than a fixed application configuration location, no standard config path is documented.

Why package nerds care

Prog8 packages a modern high-level language experience for resource-constrained 6502 systems while retaining direct access to memory, ROM routines, and inline assembly. Its toolchain connects a JVM-hosted compiler, the separately packaged 64tass assembler, and classic-machine emulators.

Timeline

Pre-2022: The original Prog8 compiler was implemented in Python.
2022: The compiler was rewritten in Kotlin beginning with the 1.0 beta line.
2023: Upstream's release history describes a period of language maturation.
2024 onward: Development added more advanced language and target-system capabilities.

Related projects

Prog8 automatically feeds generated assembly to 64tass. Its emulator-launching workflow uses VICE for Commodore targets and documents other emulators for additional target machines.

Sources

security posture

Risk level: yellow

generalized runtime or code generation signal.

Risk classifier

yellow risk · medium confidence · runtime

Why

generalized runtime or code generation signal

Signals

text:programming language

Install behavior

No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 5 platform targets.
Installs with 2 runtime dependencies.
Build metadata lists 2 build dependencies.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

executables

Installed executables

Command	Kind	Exposure	Note
`prog8c`	cli	global executable

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-11-04

manager version12.3.5

manager updated2026-10-29

local dataok

upstreamcurrent

latest detectedv12.3.5

https://github.com/irmen/prog8

okNo freshness warnings were generated.

install metadata

Package metadata

Package key	brew:prog8
Version	12.3.5
Package manager	Homebrew
Package manager page	https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/prog8
Homepage	https://prog8.readthedocs.io
Repository	https://github.com/irmen/prog8
Upstream docs	https://prog8.readthedocs.io
License	GPL-3.0-only
Source archive	https://github.com/irmen/prog8/archive/refs/tags/v12.3.5.tar.gz
Last updated	2026-10-29T22:08:34Z
Pulse	updated
Dependencies	openjdk, tass64
Build dependencies	gradle, kotlin
Bottle	available (on arm64_golden_gate, arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_tahoe, x86_64_linux)
Homebrew post-install	not defined
Service	none declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source Database	Homebrew formula API
Tap	homebrew/core
Full Name	prog8
Version Scheme	0
Revision	0
Bottle Stable Root URL	https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecated	no
Disabled	no
Keg Only	no
URL Keys	stable

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

source trail

Generated from repository data

This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.

Combined YAML source

View the package source record on GitHub.

combined/prog8.yml

Used sources

Geiger risk classifier
cross-ecosystem install command graph
curated package history
package relationship graph
package version freshness
package-page enrichment
pkg.so package database
pkgdb category and tag curation

Install prog8 with Homebrew