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.

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).

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:).

Commands (with examples)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:.

Building

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

README.md Unescape Escape

TerminalX