tool-ticks

What problem does it solve? Timing Z80/8080 code on real hardware is impractical, and wall-clock timing is inaccurate for retro targets. This Skill guides correct use of the z88dk-ticks cycle-accurate emulator so you can measure T-states, debug binaries, and find performance hotspots without hardware. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Cycle-accurate execution: Run compiled binaries under the correct CPU model (-m8080, -m8085, -mz80, -mz80n, -mgbz80, and more) to count exact T-states. - TIMER-based benchmarking: Bound measurement regions with -x map, -start TIMER_START, -end TIMER_STOP, and -counter for library timing and benchmark suites. - Debugger and hotspot profiling: Enable the interactive debugger and 'hotspot on' to produce a hotspots file identifying expensive code paths. - Use Case: Compile an n-body benchmark with zcc +test, then run it under z88dk-ticks with a raised -counter to get precise cycle counts for A/B library comparisons. ## Quick Start Compile my C program with zcc +test and run the resulting binary under z88dk-ticks with the matching CPU model to count its T-states.