How does the skill handle different memory overlays?

The skill includes ROM address annotations when renaming symbols, which allows the build system to distinguish between different symbols that might share a memory address but reside in different overlays.

How do I confirm the rename was successful?

After the skill performs the rename, you should run the project's validation script, typically ./tools/build-and-verify.sh, to ensure the project still builds and matches the original ROM.

Why can't I just use a standard find-and-replace to rename variables?

In decompilation projects, global symbols are linked to specific memory addresses in a symbol_addrs.txt file. A standard rename will cause the linker to fail; this skill ensures the mapping file is updated alongside the source code.

What is the expected format for a renamed symbol?

The skill follows the structure: NewName = 0xMemoryAddress; // rom:0xRomAddress, ensuring all metadata required for the N64 toolchain is preserved.

Global Symbol Renamer for Decompilation

Name: Global Symbol Renamer for Decompilation
Author: cdlewis

bycdlewis

•

Game Development

Automates the process of renaming global variables and functions in N64 decompilation projects while maintaining symbol address integrity.

About

This skill is specifically designed for developers working on reverse-engineering and decompilation projects, such as the Snowboard Kids 2 (N64) repository. It manages the complex task of renaming global symbols that are mapped to specific memory and ROM addresses via a central mapping file. By automating the updates to symbol_addrs.txt and preserving critical annotations for overlays, this skill ensures that descriptive names can be assigned to generic functions and variables without breaking the build process or losing link-time address data.

Key Features

Integrated validation via project-specific build scripts
61 GitHub stars
Precise memory and ROM address annotation preservation
Automated symbol_addrs.txt mapping updates
Support for both global variable and function renaming
Conflict prevention for symbols sharing memory addresses across overlays

Use Cases

Identifying and renaming auto-generated function names (e.g., func_800...) during reverse engineering
Refactoring symbol mappings while ensuring N64 decompilation build compatibility
Assigning descriptive names to global variables after discovering their role in game logic

About

Key Features

Integrated validation via project-specific build scripts
61 GitHub stars
Precise memory and ROM address annotation preservation
Automated symbol_addrs.txt mapping updates
Support for both global variable and function renaming
Conflict prevention for symbols sharing memory addresses across overlays

Use Cases

Identifying and renaming auto-generated function names (e.g., func_800...) during reverse engineering
Refactoring symbol mappings while ensuring N64 decompilation build compatibility
Assigning descriptive names to global variables after discovering their role in game logic