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ppsspp_write32

Write unsigned 32-bit little-endian values to PSP memory for cheats and pokes. Overwrites four bytes without undo.

Instructions

PURPOSE: Write an unsigned 32-bit little-endian value to PSP memory. USAGE: Use for 32-bit cheats and pokes — timestamps, large counters, pointers. For 8/16-bit use ppsspp_write8/write16; for spans use ppsspp_write_range. BEHAVIOR: DESTRUCTIVE: overwrites four bytes with no undo. PSP is little-endian. Returns an error if address+4 exceeds valid memory or value > 4294967295. RETURNS: Single line 'Wrote VAL → ADDR_HEX'.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
addressYesPSP physical address. PSP memory layout: user RAM starts at 0x08800000 (or 0x08000000 — varies by firmware allocation), kernel RAM at 0x08000000-0x087FFFFF, VRAM at 0x04000000-0x041FFFFF, scratchpad at 0x00010000-0x00013FFF, hardware regs at 0xBC000000+. Most game state lives in user RAM. Note PPSSPP may also accept 0x88xxxxxx kernel-mode mirrors of the same physical memory.
valueYes32-bit value (0-4294967295).

Implementation Reference

  • Handler for ppsspp_write32 — calls PPSSPP's memory.write_u32 via WebSocket, writes a 32-bit little-endian value to PSP memory, returns confirmation with formatted hex values.
    case "ppsspp_write32": {
      await pp.call("memory.write_u32", { address: a(), value: p.value });
      return ok(`Wrote ${fmtHex(p.value)} → ${addrHex(a())}`);
    }
  • Schema definition for ppsspp_write32 — includes description following TDQS rubric and inputSchema requiring address (physical PSP address) and value (integer 0-4294967295).
    name: "ppsspp_write32",
    description:
      "PURPOSE: Write an unsigned 32-bit little-endian value to PSP memory. " +
      "USAGE: Use for 32-bit cheats and pokes — timestamps, large counters, pointers. For 8/16-bit use ppsspp_write8/write16; for spans use ppsspp_write_range. " +
      "BEHAVIOR: DESTRUCTIVE: overwrites four bytes with no undo. PSP is little-endian. Returns an error if address+4 exceeds valid memory or value > 4294967295. " +
      "RETURNS: Single line 'Wrote VAL → ADDR_HEX'.",
    inputSchema: {
      type: "object",
      required: ["address", "value"],
      properties: {
        address: { type: "integer", minimum: 0, description: ADDRESS_PARAM_DESC },
        value:   { type: "integer", minimum: 0, maximum: 4294967295, description: "32-bit value (0-4294967295)." },
      },
      additionalProperties: false,
    },
  • src/tools.ts:405-613 (registration)
    The registerTools function registers all tools via ListToolsRequestSchema and CallToolRequestSchema handlers. ppsspp_write32 is dispatched in the switch statement at line 465.
    export function registerTools(server: Server, pp: PpssppClient): void {
      server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => ({ tools: TOOLS }));
    
      server.setRequestHandler(CallToolRequestSchema, async (req) => {
        const { name, arguments: args = {} } = req.params;
        const p = args as Record<string, unknown>;
        const a = () => p.address as number;
    
        switch (name) {
          case "ppsspp_ping": {
            const r = await pp.call<{ version?: string; name?: string }>("version");
            return ok(`pong (${r.name ?? "PPSSPP"} ${r.version ?? "(unknown version)"})`);
          }
    
          case "ppsspp_get_info": {
            const status = await pp.call<{ game?: { id?: string; title?: string; version?: string } | null; paused?: boolean; stepping?: boolean }>("game.status");
            const lines: string[] = [];
            if (status.game) {
              lines.push(`Title:   ${status.game.title ?? "(unavailable)"}`);
              lines.push(`Disc ID: ${status.game.id ?? "(unavailable)"}`);
              lines.push(`Version: ${status.game.version ?? "(unavailable)"}`);
            } else {
              lines.push("No game loaded.");
            }
            const state = status.stepping ? "stepping (paused)" : status.paused ? "paused" : "running";
            lines.push(`State:   ${state}`);
            return ok(lines.join("\n"));
          }
    
          case "ppsspp_read8": {
            const r = await pp.call<{ value: number }>("memory.read_u8", { address: a() });
            return ok(`${addrHex(a())}: ${fmtHex(r.value)}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_read16": {
            const r = await pp.call<{ value: number }>("memory.read_u16", { address: a() });
            return ok(`${addrHex(a())}: ${fmtHex(r.value)}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_read32": {
            const r = await pp.call<{ value: number }>("memory.read_u32", { address: a() });
            return ok(`${addrHex(a())}: ${fmtHex(r.value)}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_read_range": {
            const r = await pp.call<{ base64: string }>("memory.read", { address: a(), size: p.size });
            const bytes = Buffer.from(r.base64 ?? "", "base64");
            const hex = Array.from(bytes).map((b) => b.toString(16).padStart(2, "0").toUpperCase()).join(" ");
            return ok(`${addrHex(a())} [${bytes.length} bytes]:\n${hex}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_read_string": {
            const r = await pp.call<{ value: string }>("memory.readString", { address: a(), type: "utf-8" });
            return ok(`${addrHex(a())}: ${JSON.stringify(r.value ?? "")}`);
          }
    
          case "ppsspp_write8": {
            await pp.call("memory.write_u8", { address: a(), value: p.value });
            return ok(`Wrote ${fmtHex(p.value)} → ${addrHex(a())}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_write16": {
            await pp.call("memory.write_u16", { address: a(), value: p.value });
            return ok(`Wrote ${fmtHex(p.value)} → ${addrHex(a())}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_write32": {
            await pp.call("memory.write_u32", { address: a(), value: p.value });
            return ok(`Wrote ${fmtHex(p.value)} → ${addrHex(a())}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_write_range": {
            const bytes = Buffer.from(p.bytes as number[]);
            const base64 = bytes.toString("base64");
            await pp.call("memory.write", { address: a(), base64 });
            return ok(`Wrote ${bytes.length} bytes → ${addrHex(a())}`);
          }
    
          case "ppsspp_press_buttons": {
            await pp.call("input.buttons.send", { buttons: p.buttons });
            const pressed = Object.entries(p.buttons as Record<string, boolean>)
              .filter(([, v]) => v).map(([k]) => k);
            return ok(`Set buttons: ${pressed.length ? pressed.join("+") : "(all released)"}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_press_button": {
            await pp.call("input.buttons.press", { button: p.button, duration: p.duration ?? 1 });
            return ok(`Pressed ${p.button} for ${p.duration ?? 1} frames (auto-released)`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_send_analog": {
            await pp.call("input.analog.send", { stick: p.stick, x: p.x, y: p.y });
            return ok(`Set analog stick ${p.stick} to (${p.x}, ${p.y})`);
          }
    
          case "ppsspp_pause": {
            // cpu.stepping is fire-and-forget per PPSSPP source ("No immediate
            // response. Once CPU is stepping, a 'cpu.stepping' event will be
            // sent."). Send it, then poll cpu.status until stepping=true.
            await pp.fireAndForget("cpu.stepping");
            await pp.waitForState((s) => s.stepping === true);
            return ok("Emulation paused");
          }
          case "ppsspp_resume": {
            await pp.fireAndForget("cpu.resume");
            await pp.waitForState((s) => s.stepping === false);
            return ok("Emulation resumed");
          }
          case "ppsspp_step": {
            const r = await pp.call<{ pc?: number }>("cpu.stepInto");
            return ok(`Stepped one instruction. PC: ${r.pc !== undefined ? addrHex(r.pc) : "(unknown)"}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_reset": {
            await pp.call("game.reset");
            return ok("Game reset");
          }
          case "ppsspp_screenshot": {
            // PPSSPP's gpu.buffer.* events all require CORE_STEPPING_CPU (or GPU
            // stepping) state — they fail with "Neither CPU or GPU is stepping"
            // otherwise. We transparently pause→capture→resume so callers can
            // screenshot any time without managing pause state. If the emulator
            // was already paused, we leave it paused.
            //
            // source='render' (default) uses gpu.buffer.renderColor → reads the
            // active GPU render target. Safer: GPU_GetCurrentFramebuffer hits a
            // different code path than the crash-prone GPU_GetOutputFramebuffer.
            //
            // source='output' uses gpu.buffer.screenshot → reads the final
            // composited output (what's on screen, post scaling/shaders). Can
            // CRASH PPSSPP on some games: upstream has an `_assert_(buf != nullptr)`
            // after GPU_GetOutputFramebuffer that fires when the function returns
            // true with a null buffer (observed on some homebrew). We can't catch
            // a process abort from outside, but v0.1.2's auto-reconnect means MCP
            // recovers when PPSSPP is relaunched.
            const source = (p.source as string | undefined) ?? "render";
            const event  = source === "output" ? "gpu.buffer.screenshot" : "gpu.buffer.renderColor";
            const statusBefore = await pp.call<{ stepping?: boolean; paused?: boolean }>("cpu.status");
            const wasStepping = !!statusBefore.stepping;
            if (!wasStepping) {
              await pp.fireAndForget("cpu.stepping");
              await pp.waitForState((s) => s.stepping === true);
            }
            try {
              // type: "base64" returns the raw base64 payload; the default "uri"
              // returns a "data:image/png;base64,..." prefix which we'd have to strip.
              const r = await pp.call<{ base64?: string; uri?: string }>(event, { type: "base64" });
              let b64 = r.base64;
              if (!b64 && r.uri) {
                // Belt-and-suspenders: if PPSSPP returned a URI anyway, strip the prefix.
                const m = /^data:image\/png;base64,(.*)$/.exec(r.uri);
                if (m) b64 = m[1];
              }
              if (!b64) {
                throw new Error(`PPSSPP did not return screenshot data from ${event} (no game loaded, or framebuffer not readable?)`);
              }
              return {
                content: [
                  { type: "text" as const, text: `Screenshot captured (source: ${source}, event: ${event}).` },
                  { type: "image" as const, data: b64, mimeType: "image/png" },
                ],
              };
            } finally {
              if (!wasStepping) {
                try {
                  await pp.fireAndForget("cpu.resume");
                  await pp.waitForState((s) => s.stepping === false, { timeoutMs: 2000 });
                } catch { /* best-effort */ }
              }
            }
          }
    
          case "ppsspp_get_registers": {
            // PPSSPP's cpu.getAllRegs returns categories with PARALLEL arrays:
            //   { categories: [{ name, registerNames: [...], uintValues: [...], floatValues: [...] }] }
            // Not an array of {name, value} objects as I first assumed.
            const r = await pp.call<{
              categories?: Array<{
                name: string;
                registerNames?: string[];
                uintValues?: number[];
                floatValues?: string[];
              }>;
            }>("cpu.getAllRegs");
            const lines: string[] = [];
            for (const cat of r.categories ?? []) {
              lines.push(`── ${cat.name} ──`);
              const names = cat.registerNames ?? [];
              const vals  = cat.uintValues ?? [];
              for (let i = 0; i < Math.max(names.length, vals.length); i++) {
                const nm = names[i] ?? `r${i}`;
                const v  = vals[i];
                lines.push(`  ${nm.padEnd(8)} = ${v !== undefined ? addrHex(v) : "(unavailable)"}`);
              }
            }
            return ok(lines.join("\n") || "(no registers returned)");
          }
    
          case "ppsspp_breakpoint_add": {
            await pp.call("cpu.breakpoint.add", { address: a() });
            return ok(`Breakpoint added at ${addrHex(a())}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_breakpoint_remove": {
            await pp.call("cpu.breakpoint.remove", { address: a() });
            return ok(`Breakpoint removed at ${addrHex(a())}`);
          }
          case "ppsspp_breakpoint_list": {
            const r = await pp.call<{ breakpoints?: Array<{ address: number; enabled?: boolean; condition?: string }> }>("cpu.breakpoint.list");
            const bps = r.breakpoints ?? [];
            if (bps.length === 0) return ok("No breakpoints set.");
            const lines = bps.map((b) => `  ${addrHex(b.address)} ${b.enabled === false ? "(disabled)" : ""}${b.condition ? ` if ${b.condition}` : ""}`);
            return ok(`${bps.length} breakpoint${bps.length === 1 ? "" : "s"}:\n${lines.join("\n")}`);
          }
    
          default:
            throw new Error(`Unknown tool: ${name}`);
        }
      });
    }
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries full burden. It clearly states 'BEHAVIOR: DESTRUCTIVE: overwrites four bytes with no undo. PSP is little-endian.' and specifies error conditions ('Returns an error if address+4 exceeds valid memory or value > 4294967295').

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is well-structured with clear sections (PURPOSE, USAGE, BEHAVIOR, RETURNS) and each sentence is concise and informative. It efficiently packs necessary information without redundancy.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Despite no output schema, the description specifies the return format ('Single line 'Wrote VAL → ADDR_HEX'') and covers error conditions. For a tool of this complexity (32-bit write with address bounds and endianness), the description provides all essential context.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema already has 100% coverage with descriptive comments for both parameters. The description adds little extra meaning beyond mentioning 'little-endian' which is already implied by the schema for the value. Baseline is 3 due to high schema coverage.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description begins with 'PURPOSE: Write an unsigned 32-bit little-endian value to PSP memory.' which is a specific verb+resource combination. It further distinguishes itself from sibling tools by explicitly stating 'For 8/16-bit use ppsspp_write8/write16; for spans use ppsspp_write_range.'

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The 'USAGE' section provides explicit guidance on when to use this tool ('Use for 32-bit cheats and pokes — timestamps, large counters, pointers') and when to use alternatives ('For 8/16-bit use ppsspp_write8/write16; for spans use ppsspp_write_range').

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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