theherogac/vitaarchive

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

★ 3CAudience · developerComplexity · 3/5Setup · hard

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Browse and extract archives
      Create zip and 7z files
      Install homebrew apps
    Extra tools
      Hex viewer
      Hash calculator
      File attribute editor
    Interface
      Button-controlled navigation
      FTP server for file transfer
      Storage space viewer
    Tech stack
      C language
      VitaSDK toolchain
      libarchive and miniz
    Audience
      Vita homebrew hobbyists
      Retro gaming fans
      File management users

mindmap root((repo)) What it does Browse and extract archives Create zip and 7z files Install homebrew apps Extra tools Hex viewer Hash calculator File attribute editor Interface Button-controlled navigation FTP server for file transfer Storage space viewer Tech stack C language VitaSDK toolchain libarchive and miniz Audience Vita homebrew hobbyists Retro gaming fans File management users

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Open and extract files from zip, 7z, rar, tar, and psarc archives on a PlayStation Vita.

USE CASE 2

Install homebrew apps by detecting eboot files or vpk packages on a modified Vita.

USE CASE 3

Inspect file data with a hex viewer and calculate MD5 or SHA-256 hash values.

USE CASE 4

Transfer files between a Vita and a computer using the built-in FTP server.

What is it built with?

CVitaSDKlibarchiveminiz

How does it compare?

	theherogac/vitaarchive	amichail-1/orbination-whisper-ai	andrewrk/libogg
Stars	3	3	3
Language	C	C	C
Last pushed	—	—	2026-03-31
Maintenance	—	—	Maintained
Setup difficulty	hard	easy	easy
Complexity	3/5	4/5	2/5
Audience	developer	developer	developer

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1h+

Requires installing VitaSDK toolchain and a modified PlayStation Vita with the Henkaku jailbreak to build and run homebrew.

The explanation does not mention a license, so the terms of use are unknown.

In plain English

VitaArchive is an application for the PlayStation Vita, a handheld game console from Sony. The Vita was released in 2012 and has since developed a dedicated community of hobbyists who write their own software for the aging device. VitaArchive serves as a file manager focused on compressed archives. It lets you open, browse, and extract files from containers like zip, 7z, rar, tar, and a PlayStation-specific format called psarc. You can also create new zip and 7z archives directly on the console. The app is written in C and built using an open source toolchain called VitaSDK. The developer credits this project as an alternative for browsing and extracting archives on the Vita, combining ease of use with more advanced file inspection features. It also handles installation of homebrew applications. If a zip file contains an eboot.bin file, which is an executable file format for the Vita, the app can detect it and install it. It also supports vpk files, which are package files used to install software on a modified Vita. Beyond basic archive management, VitaArchive includes a set of extra tools. There is a hex viewer, which displays the raw data of a file byte by byte alongside a text column. It can calculate hash values like MD5 and SHA-256 in the background while you continue using the app, saving the results to a text file. You can also modify file attributes like read-only or hidden flags, and view the free and total space on all mounted storage partitions on the console. The interface is controlled with the Vita's buttons. The directional pad navigates lists, the X button selects items, and the circle button goes back. The triangle button opens an actions menu with options to copy, paste, rename, or inspect files. The select button starts an FTP server, which allows you to transfer files to and from the Vita over a network. The developer includes a credits section thanking several people in the Vita homebrew scene. These contributors are recognized for their work on VitaShell, a popular file manager for the console, along with the Henkaku jailbreak, graphics libraries, and system drivers. The open source compression libraries libarchive and miniz are also credited.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1

Write a C function for the PlayStation Vita using VitaSDK that checks if a zip archive contains an eboot.bin file and returns its path if found.

Prompt 2

Create a simple button-controlled menu interface for a Vita homebrew app that lets users navigate a file list, select items with X, go back with circle, and open an actions menu with triangle.

Prompt 3

Write a C function that starts an FTP server on the PlayStation Vita using VitaSDK, allowing file transfers to and from the console over a local network.

Prompt 4

Generate a C function using libarchive that lists all files inside a 7z archive and prints their names and sizes to the screen.

Frequently asked questions

What is vitaarchive?

A file manager for the PlayStation Vita that opens, browses, and extracts compressed archives like zip, 7z, and rar. It also installs homebrew apps and includes tools like a hex viewer and hash calculator.

What language is vitaarchive written in?

Mainly C. The stack also includes C, VitaSDK, libarchive.

What license does vitaarchive use?

The explanation does not mention a license, so the terms of use are unknown.

How hard is vitaarchive to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated hard, with roughly 1h+ to a first successful run.

Who is vitaarchive for?

Mainly developer.

Open on GitHub → Explain another repo

This repo across BitVibe Labs

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