docs(amiga): complete AmigaOS 3.1/3.2 developer reference — 172 files across 17 sections
Comprehensive technical documentation covering:
- Hardware: OCS/ECS/AGA custom chip registers, Copper & Blitter deep dives
- Boot sequence: cold boot through startup-sequence
- Binary format: HUNK executable spec, relocation, debug info
- Linking & ABI: .fd files, LVO tables, register calling conventions
- Exec kernel: tasks, interrupts, memory, signals, semaphores
- AmigaDOS: file I/O, FFS/OFS layout, CLI/Shell scripting
- Graphics: planar bitmaps, Copper programming, HAM/EHB modes
- Intuition: screens, windows, IDCMP, BOOPSI
- Devices: trackdisk, SCSI, serial, timer, audio, keyboard
- Libraries: utility, expansion, IFFParse, locale, ARexx
- Networking: bsdsocket API, SANA-II, TCP/IP stack comparison
- Toolchain: GCC, vasm/vlink, SAS/C, NDK, debugging
- Reverse engineering: IDA/Ghidra setup, compiler fingerprints, case studies
- CPU & MMU: 68040/060 emulation libs, PMMU, cache management
- Driver development: SANA-II, Picasso96/RTG, AHI audio
All files include breadcrumb navigation. No local paths or proprietary content.
2026-04-23 12:16:52 -04:00
# 🔧 Amiga OS 3.1/3.2 — The Developer's Source of Truth
2026-04-23 12:18:25 -04:00
**From cold boot to driver authoring**
docs(amiga): complete AmigaOS 3.1/3.2 developer reference — 172 files across 17 sections
Comprehensive technical documentation covering:
- Hardware: OCS/ECS/AGA custom chip registers, Copper & Blitter deep dives
- Boot sequence: cold boot through startup-sequence
- Binary format: HUNK executable spec, relocation, debug info
- Linking & ABI: .fd files, LVO tables, register calling conventions
- Exec kernel: tasks, interrupts, memory, signals, semaphores
- AmigaDOS: file I/O, FFS/OFS layout, CLI/Shell scripting
- Graphics: planar bitmaps, Copper programming, HAM/EHB modes
- Intuition: screens, windows, IDCMP, BOOPSI
- Devices: trackdisk, SCSI, serial, timer, audio, keyboard
- Libraries: utility, expansion, IFFParse, locale, ARexx
- Networking: bsdsocket API, SANA-II, TCP/IP stack comparison
- Toolchain: GCC, vasm/vlink, SAS/C, NDK, debugging
- Reverse engineering: IDA/Ghidra setup, compiler fingerprints, case studies
- CPU & MMU: 68040/060 emulation libs, PMMU, cache management
- Driver development: SANA-II, Picasso96/RTG, AHI audio
All files include breadcrumb navigation. No local paths or proprietary content.
2026-04-23 12:16:52 -04:00
> *Everything Commodore never published in one place.*
>
> A comprehensive, self-contained technical reference for AmigaOS Classic — covering hardware registers, OS internals, reverse engineering, and cross-compilation. Written for developers building on real hardware, FPGA cores, and emulators.
---
## Why This Exists
The Amiga's documentation was scattered across out-of-print manuals, Usenet posts, ADCD archives, and tribal knowledge passed between developers since 1985. This repository consolidates it into a single, cross-linked, searchable knowledge base — verified against NDK 3.9 headers and official Commodore documentation.
### What's Inside
| Layer | Coverage |
|---|---|
| ** ⚙️ Hardware** | Custom chip registers (OCS/ECS/AGA), Copper & Blitter programming with worked examples, CIA, Zorro bus, CPU feature matrix |
| ** 🔌 Boot & Init** | Cold boot sequence, ROM checksum, resident module scan, Kickstart init, startup-sequence |
| ** 📦 Binary Format** | HUNK executable format (every record type), relocation, debug info, overlays |
| ** 🔗 Linking & ABI** | .fd files, LVO tables, register calling conventions, compiler stubs, SetFunction |
| ** 🧠 Exec Kernel** | Tasks, interrupts, signals, semaphores, memory management, message ports, exception vectors |
| ** 💾 AmigaDOS** | File I/O, filesystem layout (FFS/OFS), CLI/Shell scripting, packet system |
| ** 🎨 Graphics** | Planar bitmaps, Copper deep dive, Blitter deep dive, HAM/EHB modes, sprites, display pipeline |
| ** 🖥️ Intuition** | Screens, windows, IDCMP, GadTools, BOOPSI, menus |
| ** 📟 Devices** | trackdisk, SCSI, serial, parallel, timer, audio, keyboard, console |
| ** 📚 Libraries** | utility, expansion, IFFParse, locale, ARexx, math, layers, diskfont |
| ** 🌐 Networking** | bsdsocket.library API, SANA-II, TCP/IP stacks comparison |
| ** 🛠️ Toolchain** | GCC (bebbo/Codeberg), vasm/vlink, SAS/C, NDK, Makefiles, debugging |
| ** 🔍 Reverse Engineering** | IDA/Ghidra setup, compiler fingerprints, binary patching, 3 case studies |
| ** 🧮 CPU & MMU** | 68040/060 Line-F emulation libs, PMMU page tables, cache management |
| ** 🏗️ Driver Development** | exec.device framework, SANA-II network drivers, Picasso96/RTG, AHI audio |
### Quick Start
| You are... | Start here |
|---|---|
| **New to Amiga** | [History & chipsets ](00_overview/history.md ) → [Boot sequence ](02_boot_sequence/cold_boot.md ) → [Exec kernel ](06_exec_os/exec_base.md ) |
| **Writing code** | [Toolchain setup ](13_toolchain/gcc_amiga.md ) → [Calling conventions ](04_linking_and_libraries/register_conventions.md ) → [.fd files ](04_linking_and_libraries/fd_files.md ) |
| **Doing hardware** | [Address space ](01_hardware/common/address_space.md ) → [Custom registers ](01_hardware/ocs_a500/custom_registers.md ) → [Copper programming ](08_graphics/copper_programming.md ) |
| **Reverse engineering** | [RE methodology ](05_reversing/methodology.md ) → [IDA/Ghidra setup ](05_reversing/ida_setup.md ) → [API call identification ](05_reversing/static/api_call_identification.md ) |
| **Building an FPGA core** | [Hardware models ](00_overview/hardware_models.md ) → [AGA chipset ](01_hardware/aga_a1200_a4000/chipset_aga.md ) → [68040/060 libs ](15_cpu_and_mmu/68040_68060_libraries.md ) |
---
> **Scope:** AmigaOS Classic 3.1 (Kickstart 40.x) and 3.2 (Kickstart 47.x).
> Hardware coverage spans all chipset generations: OCS, ECS, AGA.
## Sources
| Reference | URL / Path |
|---|---|
| ADCD 2.1 Online | http://amigadev.elowar.com/read/ADCD_2.1/ |
| NDK 3.9 | Aminet: `dev/misc/NDK39.lha` (free) |
| NDK 3.2 | Hyperion Entertainment (commercial) |
| ROM Kernel Manual: Libraries | ADCD 2.1 → `Libraries_Manual_guide/` |
| ROM Kernel Manual: Devices | ADCD 2.1 → `Devices_Manual_guide/` |
| ROM Kernel Manual: Hardware | ADCD 2.1 → `Hardware_Manual_guide/` |
| Includes & Autodocs | ADCD 2.1 → `Includes_and_Autodocs_3._guide/` |
---
## Documentation Map
### 00 — Overview
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [history.md ](00_overview/history.md ) | Amiga lineage, chipset generations timeline |
| [hardware_models.md ](00_overview/hardware_models.md ) | Per-model specification table |
| [os_versions.md ](00_overview/os_versions.md ) | OS 3.0 → 3.1 → 3.2 delta matrix |
### 01 — Hardware (by chipset generation)
| Folder | Coverage |
|---|---|
| [common/ ](01_hardware/common/ ) | M68k CPU, address space, CIA chips, Zorro bus |
| [ocs_a500/ ](01_hardware/ocs_a500/ ) | OCS chipset: custom registers, copper, blitter, sprites, Paula |
| [ecs_a600_a3000/ ](01_hardware/ecs_a600_a3000/ ) | ECS chipset: Super Agnus, productivity modes, Gary, Gayle |
| [aga_a1200_a4000/ ](01_hardware/aga_a1200_a4000/ ) | AGA chipset: Alice, Lisa, copper, blitter (64-bit), palette, Gayle IDE |
### 02 — Boot Sequence
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [cold_boot.md ](02_boot_sequence/cold_boot.md ) | Power-on, ROM checksum, memory detection |
| [kickstart_init.md ](02_boot_sequence/kickstart_init.md ) | ROM scan, ExecBase creation, resident modules |
| [dos_boot.md ](02_boot_sequence/dos_boot.md ) | Bootstrap, mount list, startup-sequence |
| [early_startup.md ](02_boot_sequence/early_startup.md ) | Early Startup Control menu, boot options |
### 03 — Executable Loader & HUNK Format
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [hunk_format.md ](03_loader_and_exec_format/hunk_format.md ) | Complete HUNK binary specification |
| [hunk_ext_deep_dive.md ](03_loader_and_exec_format/hunk_ext_deep_dive.md ) | Exports, imports, commons |
| [hunk_relocation.md ](03_loader_and_exec_format/hunk_relocation.md ) | Relocation mechanics |
| [hunk_debug_info.md ](03_loader_and_exec_format/hunk_debug_info.md ) | Debug symbols, stabs |
| [exe_load_pipeline.md ](03_loader_and_exec_format/exe_load_pipeline.md ) | LoadSeg → Process creation |
| [object_file_format.md ](03_loader_and_exec_format/object_file_format.md ) | Compiler object files |
| [overlay_system.md ](03_loader_and_exec_format/overlay_system.md ) | HUNK_OVERLAY mechanism |
### 04 — Linking & Library Integration
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [fd_files.md ](04_linking_and_libraries/fd_files.md ) | .fd descriptor format, fd2pragma |
| [lvo_table.md ](04_linking_and_libraries/lvo_table.md ) | Library vector offsets |
| [library_structure.md ](04_linking_and_libraries/library_structure.md ) | struct Library, JMP table layout |
| [inline_stubs.md ](04_linking_and_libraries/inline_stubs.md ) | SAS/C, GCC, VBCC inline stubs |
| [compiler_stubs.md ](04_linking_and_libraries/compiler_stubs.md ) | Compiler-generated stub code |
| [link_libraries.md ](04_linking_and_libraries/link_libraries.md ) | amiga.lib, startup objects |
| [shared_libraries_runtime.md ](04_linking_and_libraries/shared_libraries_runtime.md ) | OpenLibrary lifecycle |
| [register_conventions.md ](04_linking_and_libraries/register_conventions.md ) | M68k AmigaOS calling conventions |
| [setfunction.md ](04_linking_and_libraries/setfunction.md ) | SetFunction patching mechanism |
| [startup_code.md ](04_linking_and_libraries/startup_code.md ) | Program startup and exit |
### 05 — Reverse Engineering
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [methodology.md ](05_reversing/methodology.md ) | General Amiga RE workflow |
| [ida_setup.md ](05_reversing/ida_setup.md ) | IDA Pro setup for Amiga binaries |
| [compiler_fingerprints.md ](05_reversing/compiler_fingerprints.md ) | SAS/C vs GCC vs VBCC codegen patterns |
| [patching_techniques.md ](05_reversing/patching_techniques.md ) | Binary patching strategies |
| Static Analysis | Topic |
|---|---|
| [api_call_identification.md ](05_reversing/static/api_call_identification.md ) | Recognising OS API calls in disassembly |
| [hunk_reconstruction.md ](05_reversing/static/hunk_reconstruction.md ) | Rebuilding HUNK structure |
| [library_jmp_table.md ](05_reversing/static/library_jmp_table.md ) | Decoding library JMP tables |
| [m68k_codegen_patterns.md ](05_reversing/static/m68k_codegen_patterns.md ) | Compiler-specific assembly idioms |
| [string_xref_analysis.md ](05_reversing/static/string_xref_analysis.md ) | String cross-reference hunting |
| [struct_recovery.md ](05_reversing/static/struct_recovery.md ) | Recovering C structures from assembly |
| Dynamic Analysis | Topic |
|---|---|
| [enforcer_mungwall.md ](05_reversing/dynamic/enforcer_mungwall.md ) | Enforcer, MungWall memory debugging |
| [setfunction_patching.md ](05_reversing/dynamic/setfunction_patching.md ) | Runtime function hooking |
| [live_memory_probing.md ](05_reversing/dynamic/live_memory_probing.md ) | Live memory inspection |
| [serial_debug.md ](05_reversing/dynamic/serial_debug.md ) | Serial debug output |
| [ramdrive_device.md ](05_reversing/case_studies/ramdrive_device.md ) | RAM disk device driver RE |
### 06 — Exec Kernel (OS 3.1/3.2)
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [exec_base.md ](06_exec_os/exec_base.md ) | ExecBase structure |
| [library_system.md ](06_exec_os/library_system.md ) | Library lifecycle |
| [library_vectors.md ](06_exec_os/library_vectors.md ) | JMP table, SetFunction |
| [tasks_processes.md ](06_exec_os/tasks_processes.md ) | Multitasking |
| [interrupts.md ](06_exec_os/interrupts.md ) | Interrupt levels, INTENA |
| [exceptions_traps.md ](06_exec_os/exceptions_traps.md ) | Exception vectors, TRAP instructions, Guru codes |
| [memory_management.md ](06_exec_os/memory_management.md ) | AllocMem, MEMF flags |
| [message_ports.md ](06_exec_os/message_ports.md ) | PutMsg/GetMsg/WaitPort |
| [signals.md ](06_exec_os/signals.md ) | AllocSignal, Wait |
| [semaphores.md ](06_exec_os/semaphores.md ) | ObtainSemaphore |
| [io_requests.md ](06_exec_os/io_requests.md ) | IORequest, DoIO/SendIO |
| [lists_nodes.md ](06_exec_os/lists_nodes.md ) | MinList, Node, Enqueue |
| [resident_modules.md ](06_exec_os/resident_modules.md ) | RomTag, RTF_AUTOINIT |
### 07 — AmigaDOS
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [dos_base.md ](07_dos/dos_base.md ) | DosLibrary structure and global state |
| [file_io.md ](07_dos/file_io.md ) | Open/Read/Write, FileHandle, BPTR |
| [locks_examine.md ](07_dos/locks_examine.md ) | Lock/UnLock, Examine, FileInfoBlock |
| [pattern_matching.md ](07_dos/pattern_matching.md ) | ParsePattern, MatchPattern |
| [process_management.md ](07_dos/process_management.md ) | CreateNewProc, SystemTagList |
| [packet_system.md ](07_dos/packet_system.md ) | DosPacket, ACTION_* codes |
| [filesystem.md ](07_dos/filesystem.md ) | FFS/OFS block layout, hash, checksum |
| [environment.md ](07_dos/environment.md ) | GetVar/SetVar, local/global env variables |
| [error_handling.md ](07_dos/error_handling.md ) | IoErr, error codes, PrintFault |
| [cli_shell.md ](07_dos/cli_shell.md ) | CLI/Shell: pipes, redirection, scripts, ReadArgs |
### 08 — Graphics
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [gfx_base.md ](08_graphics/gfx_base.md ) | GfxBase, chip detection, PAL/NTSC |
| [bitmap.md ](08_graphics/bitmap.md ) | Planar BitMap, pixel layout, allocation |
| [copper.md ](08_graphics/copper.md ) | Copper coprocessor, MOVE/WAIT/SKIP, UCopList |
| [copper_programming.md ](08_graphics/copper_programming.md ) | Copper deep dive: architecture, system diagram, examples |
| [blitter.md ](08_graphics/blitter.md ) | Blitter DMA, minterms, BltBitMap |
| [blitter_programming.md ](08_graphics/blitter_programming.md ) | Blitter deep dive: cookie-cut, fill, line draw |
| [sprites.md ](08_graphics/sprites.md ) | Hardware sprites, SimpleSprite |
| [rastport.md ](08_graphics/rastport.md ) | RastPort, drawing primitives, layers |
| [views.md ](08_graphics/views.md ) | View/ViewPort, MakeVPort, display pipeline |
| [text_fonts.md ](08_graphics/text_fonts.md ) | TextFont, OpenFont, text rendering |
| [display_modes.md ](08_graphics/display_modes.md ) | ModeID, display database |
| [ham_ehb_modes.md ](08_graphics/ham_ehb_modes.md ) | HAM6, HAM8, EHB special display modes |
| [animation.md ](08_graphics/animation.md ) | GEL system: BOBs, VSprites, AnimObs |
### 09 — Intuition
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [intuition_base.md ](09_intuition/intuition_base.md ) | IntuitionBase global state |
| [screens.md ](09_intuition/screens.md ) | OpenScreen, SA_ tags, public screens |
| [windows.md ](09_intuition/windows.md ) | OpenWindow, WA_ tags, event loop |
| [gadgets.md ](09_intuition/gadgets.md ) | GadTools, BOOPSI gadgets |
| [menus.md ](09_intuition/menus.md ) | MenuStrip construction |
| [requesters.md ](09_intuition/requesters.md ) | EasyRequest, ASL file/font requesters |
| [idcmp.md ](09_intuition/idcmp.md ) | IDCMP message classes, IntuiMessage |
| [boopsi.md ](09_intuition/boopsi.md ) | BOOPSI object system, custom classes |
| [input_events.md ](09_intuition/input_events.md ) | InputEvent, Commodities Exchange |
### 10 — Devices
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [trackdisk.md ](10_devices/trackdisk.md ) | Floppy I/O, geometry |
| [scsi.md ](10_devices/scsi.md ) | Hard disk, HD_SCSICMD |
| [serial.md ](10_devices/serial.md ) | RS-232 serial |
| [parallel.md ](10_devices/parallel.md ) | Centronics parallel |
| [timer.md ](10_devices/timer.md ) | Timing, delays, E-clock |
| [audio.md ](10_devices/audio.md ) | DMA audio channels |
| [keyboard.md ](10_devices/keyboard.md ) | Keycodes, key matrix |
| [gameport.md ](10_devices/gameport.md ) | Joystick and mouse |
| [input.md ](10_devices/input.md ) | Event stream merging |
| [console.md ](10_devices/console.md ) | Text terminal, escape sequences |
### 11 — Libraries
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [utility.md ](11_libraries/utility.md ) | TagItems, hooks, date utilities |
| [expansion.md ](11_libraries/expansion.md ) | Zorro bus, AutoConfig |
| [icon.md ](11_libraries/icon.md ) | Workbench icons, DiskObject |
| [workbench.md ](11_libraries/workbench.md ) | WBStartup, AppWindow |
| [iffparse.md ](11_libraries/iffparse.md ) | IFF file parsing, ILBM/8SVX |
| [locale.md ](11_libraries/locale.md ) | Internationalisation, catalogs |
| [keymap.md ](11_libraries/keymap.md ) | Keyboard mapping, MapRawKey |
| [rexxsyslib.md ](11_libraries/rexxsyslib.md ) | ARexx interface |
| [mathffp.md ](11_libraries/mathffp.md ) | Floating point libraries, FFP, IEEE |
| [layers.md ](11_libraries/layers.md ) | Window clipping layers |
| [diskfont.md ](11_libraries/diskfont.md ) | Disk-based font loading |
### 12 — Networking
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [bsdsocket.md ](12_networking/bsdsocket.md ) | BSD socket API, WaitSelect |
| [sana2.md ](12_networking/sana2.md ) | SANA-II device driver interface |
| [tcp_ip_stacks.md ](12_networking/tcp_ip_stacks.md ) | AmiTCP vs Miami vs Roadshow |
| [protocols.md ](12_networking/protocols.md ) | DNS, HTTP, DHCP |
### 13 — Toolchain
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [vasm_vlink.md ](13_toolchain/vasm_vlink.md ) | vasm assembler, vlink linker |
| [gcc_amiga.md ](13_toolchain/gcc_amiga.md ) | m68k-amigaos-gcc (bebbo fork, Codeberg) |
| [sasc.md ](13_toolchain/sasc.md ) | SAS/C 6.x compiler |
| [fd_files.md ](13_toolchain/fd_files.md ) | FD/SFD file format, Python parser |
| [pragmas.md ](13_toolchain/pragmas.md ) | Compiler pragmas, inline stubs |
| [ndk.md ](13_toolchain/ndk.md ) | NDK versions, contents, downloads |
| [makefiles.md ](13_toolchain/makefiles.md ) | Cross-compilation Makefile patterns |
| [debugging.md ](13_toolchain/debugging.md ) | Enforcer, GDB remote, BareFoot |
### 14 — References
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [custom_chip_registers.md ](14_references/custom_chip_registers.md ) | Complete custom chip register map |
| [exec_lvo_table.md ](14_references/exec_lvo_table.md ) | exec.library LVO table |
| [dos_lvo_table.md ](14_references/dos_lvo_table.md ) | dos.library LVO table |
| [error_codes.md ](14_references/error_codes.md ) | DOS error code reference |
### 15 — CPU & MMU
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [68040_68060_libraries.md ](15_cpu_and_mmu/68040_68060_libraries.md ) | 68040/060 instruction emulation libraries |
| [mmu_management.md ](15_cpu_and_mmu/mmu_management.md ) | MMU page tables, mmu.library, Enforcer, VMM |
| [cache_management.md ](15_cpu_and_mmu/cache_management.md ) | CacheClearU, CACR, DMA coherency |
### 16 — Driver Development
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| [device_driver_basics.md ](16_driver_development/device_driver_basics.md ) | Exec device framework, BeginIO/AbortIO |
| [sana2_driver.md ](16_driver_development/sana2_driver.md ) | Writing SANA-II network drivers |
| [rtg_driver.md ](16_driver_development/rtg_driver.md ) | Writing Picasso96/RTG display drivers |
| [ahi_driver.md ](16_driver_development/ahi_driver.md ) | Writing AHI audio drivers |