![Official logo](docs/img/Box64Logo.png "Official Logo")

# Box64: Linux Userspace x86-64 Emulator with a Twist

[Website](https://box86.org/) | [Changelog](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box64/blob/main/docs/CHANGELOG.md) | [中文](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box64/blob/main/README_CN.md) | [Українська](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box64/blob/main/README_UK.md) | [Report an Error](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box64/issues/new)

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Box64 enables running x86_64 Linux programs, including games, on non-x86_64 Linux systems such as Arm (64-bit little-endian host system required).

Check out Box64 in action on YouTube:
- [MicroLinux](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwFQAEj1lp3out4n7BeBatQ)
- [Pi Labs](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgfQjdc5RceRlTGfuthBs7g)
- [The Byteman](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEr8lpIJ3B5Ctc5BvcOHSnA)

Box64 leverages native system libraries (libc, libm, SDL, OpenGL), offering ease of integration and surprising performance in many applications. For performance benchmarks, check [this analysis](https://box86.org/index.php/2021/06/game-performances/).

With DynaRec for ARM64, RV64 and LA64 platforms, Box64 achieves a speed boost 5-10x faster than the interpreter alone. For a deeper look at DynaRec, see [Inner workings](https://box86.org/2021/07/inner-workings-a-high%e2%80%91level-view-of-box86-and-a-low%e2%80%91level-view-of-the-dynarec/).

Box64 Icon

_Logo and icon by @grayduck - Thank you!_

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## 📖 Usage

- `$ box64 ./program [args]` to run Linux x86_64 programs.
- `$ box64 -k` to kill all the emulated processes.
- `$ box64-bash` to have a x86_64 bash environment.
- Want to use wine? see [Wine Documentation](docs/WINE.md).

Box64 also offers environment variables and rcfile to control its behavior. For details, see [Usage Documentation](docs/USAGE.md).

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## 🚀 Compiling and Installation

- [Compilation Instructions](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box64/blob/main/docs/COMPILE.md)
- [Bundle x86 Libraries](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box64/blob/main/docs/BUNDLE-X86-LIBS.md)
- [Wine Installation for Box64](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box64/blob/main/docs/WINE.md)

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## 🔄 Version History

See the [Changelog](docs/CHANGELOG.md) for version updates.

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## 🖥️ Platform Compatibility Notes

Box64 requires 64-bit libraries on the host system, as it directly translates x86_64 function calls. For 32-bit binaries, use Box86 or Box32.

**Notes** 

1. Box32 mode is in the making, which aims to support 32-bit binaries on Box64, you can enable it at build time, but do not expect everything to work. There is actually a few things that work, many that don't. It's a known issue, no need to create tickets about it for now.
2. Some installers may default to x86 on 64-bit host OSes, causing compatibility issues. Workaround: Use a fake `uname` that returns "x86_64" for `-m`.

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## ⚙️ Configuration

Box64 has configuration files located in `/etc/box64.box64rc` and `~/.box64rc`, both formatted as `.ini` files. If you don’t want to use the default `/etc/box64.box64rc` file, copy it to `~/.box64rc` to ensure compatibility.

Settings priority: `~/.box64rc` > `/etc/box64.box64rc` > Command line.

For more information, check [Usage Documentation](docs/USAGE.md).

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## 📄 Additional Platform-Specific Notes

### Unity Game Emulation

- Many Unity games require OpenGL 3+, which may be challenging on ARM/RISC-V SBCs.
- **Tip for Pi4 and Pi5 Users**: Set `MESA_GL_VERSION_OVERRIDE=3.2` with `BOX64_DYNAREC_STRONGMEM=1` to prevent freezes and enable strong memory mode.
- **Using Panfrost**: For better compatibility on ARM, enable `PAN_MESA_DEBUG=gl3` to force higher OpenGL profiles. This can help if a game starts but quits unexpectedly before showing any content.

### GTK Programs

Box64 wraps GTK libraries, supporting both gtk2 and gtk3.

### Linux Steam

Linux Steam requires Box86 or Box32 due to its 32-bit client app, but uses 64-bit local server binaries. Systems with less than 6GB RAM may need a swap file for optimal performance.

### Wine

Box64 supports Wine64 and Proton. For 32-bit components, Box86 is required. Systems with both Box64 and Box86 can run 32- and 64-bit Windows programs.

**Note**: You can use Wine WOW64 build to run x86 Windows programs in Box64-only environments, this is still experimental, but it works in most cases.

For more information, check [Wine Documentation](docs/WINE.md).

### Vulkan

Box64 wraps Vulkan libraries.

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Final word
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I want to thank everyone who has contributed to box64 development.
There are many ways to contribute: code contribution, financial, hardware and advertisement!
So, in no particular order, I want to thank:
 * For their major code contribution: rajdakin, mogery, ksco, xctan
 * For their major financial contribution: [Playtron](https://playtron.one), tohodakilla, FlyingFathead, stormchaser3000, dennis1248, sll00, [libre-computer-project](https://libre.computer/), [CubeCoders Limited](http://cubecoders.com/)
 * For hardware contribution and LoongArch migration: [xiaoji](https://www.linuxgame.cn/), Deepin Beijing Develop Team
 * For their hardware contribution: [ADLINK](https://www.adlinktech.com/Products/Computer_on_Modules/COM-HPC-Server-Carrier-and-Starter-Kit/Ampere_Altra_Developer_Platform?lang=en) with [Ampere](https://amperecomputing.com/home/edge), [SOPHGO](https://www.sophon.ai/), [Radxa](https://rockpi.org/), [StarFive](https://rvspace.org/), [Pine64](https://www.pine64.org/), [AYN](https://www.ayntec.com/), [AYANEO](https://ayaneo.com/), [jiangcuo](https://github.com/jiangcuo)
 * For their continuous advertisements for the box64 project: salva ([microLinux](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwFQAEj1lp3out4n7BeBatQ)), [PILab](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgfQjdc5RceRlTGfuthBs7g)/[TwisterOS](https://twisteros.com/) team, [The Byteman](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEr8lpIJ3B5Ctc5BvcOHSnA), [NicoD](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpv7NFr0-9AB5xoklh3Snhg), ekianjo ([Boilingsteam](https://boilingsteam.com/))

And I also thank the many other people who participated even once in this project.

(If you use Box64 in your project, please don't forget to mention it!)

