3DS-CLI

Run a real RISC-V Linux environment inside the Nintendo 3DS homebrew launcher.

3DS-CLI embeds mini-rv32ima, a compact RISC-V CPU emulator, into a 3DS homebrew app. It boots a Linux image from the SD card while still running inside the normal 3DS Horizon OS.

What it does

• Boots a RISC-V Linux image on 3DS hardware through software emulation.
• Displays a custom ANSI/xterm terminal emulator on the top screen with full 16/256/24-bit colour support, zoom, and viewport panning.
• Provides a custom bottom-screen touch keyboard for typing commands.
• Includes a prebuilt image with BusyBox tools, a JavaScript runtime, and CLI Doom.
• Can be used as a starting point for testing custom RISC-V Linux images, kernels, and Buildroot experiments on a 3DS.

Installation

Option 1: Universal Updater

Install directly on your 3DS via Universal Updater — find 3DS-CLI in the app and it will handle downloading and placing the files for you.

Option 2: Manual

1. Download 3DS-CLI_Install.zip from the latest GitHub release.
2. Unzip the archive.
3. Copy 3ds-cli.3dsx and Image into the 3ds/ folder on your SD card.
4. Launch 3DS-CLI from the Homebrew Launcher.
5. Wait for Linux to boot. On my SDXC card it takes about 2.2 seconds to reach the login prompt.
6. Log in as root with a blank password.

Controls

Button	Action
L or Y	Zoom out
R or X	Zoom in
ZL	Toggle auto-follow cursor on/off
ZR	Toggle font (8x8 ↔ 5x7 compact)
Circle Pad	Pan viewport (also disables auto-follow)
D-Pad	Send arrow keys to Linux
START	Quit and return to Homebrew Launcher

Key	Action
SHF	Toggle shift (uppercase)
?#1	Switch to symbol layer 1
#+=	Switch to symbol layer 2
ABC	Return to alphabetic layer
CTL	Ctrl modifier — tap CTL, then tap a letter for Ctrl+key
TAB	Send tab
ESC	Send escape
ENT	Send enter
DEL	Send backspace

Building

Install devkitPro with devkitARM and libctru, then run:

make

The app builds as 3ds-cli.3dsx.

Star History

Credits

• Built with devkitARM / libctru
• Powered by mini-rv32ima by cnlohr

License

GPL-3.0. See LICENSE.