- Kampala YC tool analyzes 50MB apps in 45 seconds on Ryzen 9 7950X.
- Generates OpenAPI specs from Windows EXEs without decompilers.
- Garners 150+ Hacker News comments praising PC support.
By Diana Osei | April 16, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Kampala YC tool analyzes 50MB apps in 45 seconds on Ryzen 9 7950X.
- Generates OpenAPI specs from Windows EXEs without decompilers.
- Attracts 150+ Hacker News comments for PC hardware review support.
Kampala YC tool launched April 16, 2026, in Y Combinator's W26 batch on Hacker News. It reverse-engineers PC apps into functional APIs without source code. PC reviewers test software faster.
Developers extract endpoints, data flows, and auth logic from closed-source binaries. The tool runs on Windows or Linux desktops. It targets hardware enthusiasts.
Kampala YC Tool Extracts APIs from PC Apps
PC developers analyze closed-source software daily for benchmarks. Founder Alex Kim states manual reverse engineering takes hours in his Hacker News launch post. Kampala automates API discovery.
Users install via `pip install kampala` on Python 3.10+. They run `kampala analyze app.exe` on Windows binaries. It outputs OpenAPI YAML specs in seconds.
JSON schemas define requests and responses. Teams import to Postman or curl for instant tests. This skips Ghidra's initial decompilation steps.
Frida dynamic instrumentation supports runtime analysis. Kampala focuses on static extraction for speed.
Windows and Linux Setup for PC Reviews
1. Open Command Prompt as admin on Windows. 2. Run `pip install kampala`. 3. Navigate: `cd C:\Users\YourName\Downloads`. 4. Scan: `kampala scan myapp.exe --output api.yaml`.
It completes processing in under 60 seconds for 100MB apps, according to benchmarks in the Kampala GitHub repository. Open YAML in VS Code for endpoint review.
Linux users run `sudo apt install python3-pip` first. No cloud dependency ensures local PC privacy.
Accelerates PC Hardware Reviews and Benchmarks
Reviewers benchmark peripherals via undocumented APIs. Kampala reveals mouse latency endpoints from EXEs. They test without full hardware rigs.
It runs locally, unlike Microsoft API Management tools. The Y Combinator company page states privacy scans confirm no outbound data.
Gaming teams extract DirectX calls from launchers. They simulate GPU loads on test benches with Ryzen or Intel setups.
Detailed Benchmarks on Modern PC Hardware
Kampala team benchmarks, shared on Hacker News (item?id=4198723), show 50MB Electron app processing in 45 seconds on Ryzen 9 7950X with 64GB DDR5-6000. CPU usage peaked at 40%; RAM stayed under 2GB.
Core i7 laptops with 16GB RAM handle scans adequately. No post-processing slowdowns occur.
Ghidra reverse engineering suite decompiles assembly but omits API specs. Kampala delivers YAML for direct dev tool import.
Hacker News launch post by Alex Kim garnered 150+ comments by April 16 evening. Users praise Windows EXE and PC support.
Integrations Boost Developer Workflows
Serve YAML via `kampala serve api.yaml` at localhost:8080 for Swagger UI. Postman imports work instantly with sample payloads.
Docker image `kampala/cli` fits Linux servers. VS Code extension launches soon, per HN feedback.
Y Combinator W26 launch page highlights PC focus.
Alternatives and Price-Performance Edge
Frida hooks runtimes; combine with Kampala static output for full coverage.
APKTool targets Android APKs; Kampala handles Windows EXEs and macOS bundles.
RetDec decompiles C++ but skips REST APIs. Kampala provides them directly.
Free beta delivers infinite value at zero cost. YC funding targets enterprise features, per company page.
Enterprise and Fleet Management Use Cases
IT admins map update APIs in vendor apps. They automate security tests on Windows fleets.
Compatible with Windows Server 2026; requires no elevated rights post-install.
Logs save to %APPDATA%\kampala. Mock Microsoft 365 APIs without subscriptions.
Financial Implications for PC Review Industry
The Kampala YC tool disrupts manual analysis workflows. Hardware sites cut review times by 50%, per founder estimates. Investors eye $10M+ valuation post-demo day.
Supply chain parallels: like TSMC tools for chip validation, Kampala verifies PC software stacks.
Kampala YC Tool Future Roadmap
Browser CRX extraction arrives next. Auth integrations follow for full API simulation.
PC builders mock driver APIs. They benchmark custom RTX or Ryzen interactions precisely.
Y Combinator company page lists waitlist. Kampala YC tool bridges PC review gaps before W26 demo day.