Homebrew Menu

hbmenu
hbmenu
General
Author	Team DevkitPro
Type	HB Launchers
Version	0.10.0
License	Mixed
Last Updated	2024/11/12
Links
	Download
	Website
	Source

The Homebrew Menu (hb menu for short) is a simple launcher menu which can be used to replace the menu on several DS flashcards. This menu supports the argv protocol needed for devkitARM compiled applications to make use of nitrofs as well as providing a soft reset feature where applications can exit back to the menu. Exiting to the menu is as simple as returning from main() or calling exit(0).

Currently the menu is a simple text based interface but we intend to improve this in the near future.

Installation

Copy BOOT.NDS and the appropriate bootstrap file from the hbmenu folder in this archive.

The latest release contains bootstrap launchers for the original R4, ezflash 5, dstt and Acekard 2(i). Copying all the files will give you a single SD card which will boot the Homebrew Menu on all 4 cards.

The bootstrap.cia file can be installed on a 3DS using FBI. This requires boot.nds on your SD card.

Place your homebrew games in the /nds folder.

User guide

Passing arguments

The Homebrew Menu supports passing arguments to launched .nds files via .argv files. The testfiles folder has an nds file which lists arguments and some sample .argv files.

These are simple text files which start with the name of the nds file to run and a list of arguments to pass to the application. Here's a quick sample .argv file.

# This is a comment
# commands can be placed on multiple lines
# first the name of the nds file to run
# this can include a path relative to the .argv file
argvTest.nds

# a single argument
argument1

# multiple arguments separated by spaces
argument2 argument3

# multiple arguments separated by tabs
argument4	argument5

# or even separated by both tabs and spaces
argument6 argument7	argument8

File associations

Data files can be associated with NDS files via .ext files. These are like .argv files, but instead of being run directly they are named after the file extension of the data file and run when that data file is opened.

For example, placing a file named txt.ext in the /nds folder with the contents /nds/notes.nds will open the notes.nds app when a .txt file is selected.

Controls

D-Pad - Move through the list

A - Launch homebrew

Screenshots

Compatibility

Tested on:

DSTT/TTDS (firmware 1.17)
iEvolution CycloDS (firmware 2.2)
R4iMax (kernel 2.6)

Changelog

v0.10.0

Refactored for libnds 2.0.0
Add support for SuperCard DS One
Use latest upstream exception stub
Use latest upstream bootloader
rebuilt with latest tools & libraries
Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.

v0.9.0

Support added for ACE3DS+ and clones
Use latest upstream exception stub
Use latest upstream bootloader
rebuilt with latest tools & libraries
Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.

v0.8.0

Add associations of file extensions with NDS files by @chishm in #6
Use latest upstream exception stub
Use latest upstream bootloader
rebuilt with latest tools & libraries

v0.7.1

Rebuilt with latest bootloader & libraries.

External links

devkitPro wiki - http://devkitpro.org/wiki/Homebrew_Menu
GitHub - https://github.com/devkitPro/nds-hb-menu