TerminalX

A DOS-style command shell for the original Xbox. Run it from your dashboard or recovery environment for file management, text editing, and system control.

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Shell features

• Path completion (Tab) — Complete file and folder names as you type. Press Tab to complete the current word; if the path has a folder (e.g. cerbios\cer), completion keeps the path and completes the name (e.g. cerbios\cerbios.ini). Multiple matches complete to the common prefix.
• Command history — Use Up and Down arrows to recall previous commands (last 50).
• Scrollback — Use Page Up and Page Down to scroll through long output (e.g. from DIR or TYPE); new input scrolls back to the bottom.
• In-line editing — Use Left and Right arrows and Backspace to edit the current line before pressing Enter.
• Colors — Use the COLOR command to change text and background (e.g. COLOR 0A for green on black).

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Drive names

Use these names with the colon when switching drives (e.g. HDD0-E:) or in paths (e.g. DIR HDD0-E:\cerbios).

Format	Example	Description
DVD-ROM	DVD-ROM:	Optical drive (CD/DVD).
**HDD0-**letter	HDD0-E:, HDD0-F:, HDD0-X:	First hard disk partitions. Letters: C, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, X, Y, Z.
**HDD1-**letter	HDD1-E:, HDD1-F:	Second hard disk (same letter set as HDD0).
MMU0–MMU7	MMU0:, MMU3:	Memory units (MU) in ports 0–7.

Drive names are case-insensitive (hdd0-e: works the same as HDD0-E:).

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Commands (with examples)

Navigation and drives

Command	Example	Description
DRIVE:	HDD0-E:	Switch to a drive. Use supported names (see Drive names), e.g. HDD0-E:, MMU0:.
CD	CD cerbios	Change directory. CD with no args shows current directory.
DIR	DIR / DIR cerbios\ / DIR /W	List files and folders. Path is optional.
	DIR /W	Wide list format.
	DIR /O:N	Sort by name (N=name, D=date, S=size, E=extension; prefix - for reverse).
	DIR /A:D	Show only directories; /A:-H hides hidden.
	DIR /P	Pause every 23 lines.

Paths can be relative to the current directory or use a drive: DIR HDD0-E:\cerbios.

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Files and folders

Command	Example	Description
MD / MKDIR	MD myfolder	Create a directory.
RD / RMDIR	RD myfolder	Remove an empty directory.
COPY	COPY config.ini config.bak	Copy one or more files to a destination.
MOVE	MOVE old.txt new.txt	Move or rename files/directories.
DEL / ERASE	DEL file.txt	Delete file(s). Supports /S (tree), /F (force), /A (attributes).
TYPE	TYPE cerbios\cerbios.ini	Display contents of text file(s) (up to 64 KB per file).
EDIT	EDIT cerbios\cerbios.ini	Full-screen text editor. F2 = Save, F3 = Exit. Creates the file if it doesn’t exist. Long lines scroll horizontally.

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System and display

Command	Example	Description
DATE	DATE	Show or set the date (e.g. DATE 2025-02-03). Press Enter at the prompt to keep current.
TIME	TIME	Show or set the time. Press Enter at the prompt to keep current.
VER	VER	Show version: Microsoft Xbox Original [TerminalX].
COLOR	COLOR 0A	Set attribute (2 hex digits: background, foreground). COLOR with no args = default (0A).
CLS	CLS	Clear the screen.
SHUTDOWN	SHUTDOWN / SHUTDOWN /S	Power off (default).
	SHUTDOWN /R	Reboot (full power cycle).
	SHUTDOWN /W	Warm reboot (reset).
EXIT	EXIT	Quit the shell.

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Other

Command	Example	Description
ECHO	ECHO Hello	Print a message.
	ECHO ON / ECHO OFF	Turn command echoing on or off.
HELP	HELP	List commands. HELP command-name for command help.

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Path completion examples

• dir cer + Tab → dir cerbios\ (single folder match).
• dir cerbios\cer + Tab → dir cerbios\cerbios.ini (completion keeps path).
• cd HDD0-E\c + Tab → completes to matching folder/file on that drive.
• type myfile.tx + Tab → completes to myfile.txt if unique.

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Editor (EDIT) keys

• Arrows — Move cursor.
• Home / End — Start/end of line.
• Backspace / Delete — Delete character before/under cursor.
• Enter — New line.
• F2 — Save and stay in editor.
• F3 — Exit (saves if modified).
• Status line shows row/column and hints.

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Requirements

• Original Xbox (or compatible).
• Built with the Xbox SDK (VC++ 7.x / Xbox project).
• Typical use: Boot to BIOS of choice and launch, the terminal will default to HDD0-E:.

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Building

Open TerminalX.sln in Visual Studio (with Xbox SDK), select the Xbox configuration, and build. Deploy the resulting XBE to your Xbox.