6502 Emulator Runs 1 Instruction/S (Written in Markdown, Running in an LLM)
A new experiment explores the implementation of a 6502 microprocessor emulator using Markdown, executed with OpenCode and the GLM 5.1 model. The 6502 was a widely used microprocessor in the 1980s, known for its simplicity and efficiency. This emulator runs by fetching opcodes and executing them, showcasing a unique approach to utilizing LLMs as processors.
- ▪The 6502 microprocessor was popular in home computers during the 1980s.
- ▪This emulator is written in Markdown and executed using OpenCode and the GLM 5.1 model.
- ▪The emulator fetches opcodes, decodes instructions, and tracks registers and memory.
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| Original publisher | Adam Dunkels |
| Canonical URL | https://dunkels.com/adam/llm-6502-emulator/ |
| Publication time | Mon, 25 May 2026 11:14:54 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-25T11:37:36.700Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-25T11:37:36.700Z |
| Headline source | Publisher (no WeSearch rewrite) |
| Excerpt source | publisher body |
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| Summary | WeSearch · cerebras-chat (WeSearch summarizer) |
| Summary source text | contentText |
| Citation coverage | Summary is a WeSearch-generated derivative; primary citation is the original publisher URL. |
| Cluster | lkv7HGgYbAyo |
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| Publisher visit | Yes — open original |
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| Retrieval / RAG | May the content be exposed for third-party retrieval-augmented generation? | Not asserted |
| Model training | May the content be used to train AI models? | Not asserted |
| Commercial reuse | May the content be reused commercially? | Not permitted |
Basis: Derived from the published RSS/Atom feed. Contact: [email protected]. Reviewed: 2026-07-24.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
In previous posts we explored what happens if we treat LLMs as processors that run Markdown as their machine code: a user-space IP stack written in Markdown and a BASIC interpreter written in Markdown. Today we are going to look at an emulator for a 6502 microprocessor written in Markdown and executed with OpenCode and the GLM 5.1 model running on Grunden.ai. Yes, this is a ridiculous idea with no practical value. But it is a fun experiment. A 6502 Microprocessor Written in Markdown The 6502 microprocessor was a popular microprocessor for home computers in the 1980s. It was used in the Commodore 64, Apple II, Nintendo Entertainment System , among many others. The 6502 microprocessor has three built-in registers (A, X, and Y) and can address a memory range of 64k.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Adam Dunkels.
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