diff --git a/bin/run_tests.py b/bin/run_tests.py
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..a808d2514
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/run_tests.py
@@ -0,0 +1,551 @@
+#! /usr/bin/env python3
+# vim: set tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 expandtab set textwidth=79
+# ===========================================================================79
+# Filename:    run_tests.py
+#
+# Description: Converting run_tests.sh to python
+#
+#               Based on run_test.sh
+#
+#               Same as run_test.sh:
+#                   1. output into .xml file is the same
+#                   2. colorization of output
+#
+#               Differences with run_test.sh
+#                   1. Does not depend upon .elf file extension for filetype.
+#                       Uses the unix 'file' command to get filetype
+#                   2. Added usage function
+#                   3. Added run switches (which didn't exist in run_test.sh)
+#                       See the print_usage() function for a descriptionm of
+#                       the supported switches.
+#                   4. Default search directories, rather than just one.
+#                   5. Removed use of $RISCV env var.
+#                   6. requires python3
+#
+# TODO:         Need to add timeouts to tests.
+#
+# Author(s):   Bill McSpadden (bill@riscv.org)
+#
+# History:     See revision control log
+# ===========================================================================79
+
+import os               # needed for os command interactions
+import glob             # needed for file list gathering useing wildcards
+import re               # regular expression
+import sys              # needed for command line arguments
+import getopt           # needed for command line arguments
+import collections      # needed for dequeues
+import subprocess       # needed for subprocesses where stdout is needed
+from pathlib import Path
+from inspect import currentframe, getframeinfo
+from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
+from copy import deepcopy
+
+print("starting...")
+print("abspath to this script: " + os.path.abspath(sys.argv[0]))
+
+# Data structure for sim command line arguments
+# TODO:  make the key a regex
+sim_test_command_line_switch = {
+    #  test name              sim command line switch
+    "rv32ui-v-ma_data"      : "--enable-misaligned",
+    "rv32ui-p-ma_data"      : "--enable-misaligned",
+    "rv64ui-v-ma_data"      : "--enable-misaligned",
+    "rv64ui-p-ma_data"      : "--enable-misaligned",
+    }
+
+
+
+
+#set -e
+
+def TRACE(text = "") :
+    cf = currentframe()
+    of = cf.f_back
+    fi = getframeinfo(of)
+    filename = fi.filename
+    print("TRACE: file: " + filename + " line: " + str(of.f_lineno) + " : " + text)
+    return
+
+def print_usage(invocation) :
+    print(invocation + " usage: " + invocation + " [<options>]")
+    print("    Typically, invoke this script in the directory above where the elf-file tests live.")
+    print("    The script looks into test_dir, finds all of the elf files and then runs the simulator")
+    print("    with each elf file.")
+    print("")
+    print("    Output logs are put into [dir]/<testname>.cout (for C sim) or [dir/]<testname>.out (for ocaml sim).")
+    print("")
+    print("    Some tests require specific command line switches to properly run.  To add these")
+    print("    command line switches,  you must edit this python script.  Look for the array, 'sim_test_command_line_switch'")
+    print("")
+    print("  options:")
+    print("    -h --help -u -usage          print out help/usage message")
+    print("    -o/--outfile=<file>          name of xml tests results file to be generated. default: ./tests.xml ")
+    print("    --32bit=[yes|y|no|n]         run 32-bit tests. default: yes")
+    print("    --64bit=[yes|y|no|n]         run 64-bit tests. default: yes")
+    print("    --c_sim=[yes|y|no|n]         run the C simulator. default: yes")
+    print("    --ocaml_sim=[yes|y|no|n]     run the Ocaml simulator. default: no")
+    print("    --clean_build=[yes|y|no|n]   do a 'make clean' before running 32/64/c_sim/ocaml_sim set of tests. default: yes")
+    print("    --test_dir=<dir>             directory where test elf files live. default:  ./isa ./riscv-tests")
+    print("    Environment variable, 'ARCH', must be set to either 'RV32' or 'RV64'")
+
+opts, args = getopt.getopt (
+    sys.argv[1:], 
+    "huo:", 
+    [
+    "outfile=", 
+    "test_dir=", 
+    "32bit=",
+    "64bit=",
+    "c_sim=",
+    "ocaml_sim=",
+    "clean_build=",
+    "test_dir="
+    ]
+    )
+
+xml_outfile         = "./tests.xml"
+run_32bit_tests     = True
+run_64bit_tests     = True
+run_csim            = True
+run_ocamlsim        = False
+clean_build         = True
+test_dir_list       = [ "isa", "riscv-tests" ]
+sail_riscv_rootdir  = 'SAIL_RISCV_ROOTDIR'
+
+
+#print("opts: " + str(opts))
+for opt, arg in opts :
+    if opt in ('-h', 'help', '-u', '--usage') :
+        print_usage(sys.argv[0])
+        sys.exit(0)
+    elif opt in ('-o', "--outfile") :
+        xml_outfile = arg
+    elif opt in ('--32bit') :
+        if arg in ('yes', 'y') :
+            run_32bit_tests= True
+        elif arg in ('no', 'n') :
+            run_32bit_tests= False
+        else :
+            print("error: invalid argument to '--32bit' switch: " + arg)
+            sys.exit(1)
+    elif opt in ('--64bit') :
+        if arg in ('yes', 'y') :
+            run_64bit_tests= True
+        elif arg in ('no', 'n') :
+            run_64bit_tests= False
+        else :
+            print("error: invalid argument to '--64bit' switch: " + arg)
+            sys.exit(1)
+    elif opt in ('--c_sim') :
+        if arg in ('yes', 'y') :
+            run_csim= True
+        elif arg in ('no', 'n') :
+            run_csim= False
+        else :
+            print("error: invalid argument to '--run_csim' switch: " + arg)
+            sys.exit(1)
+    elif opt in ('--ocaml_sim') :
+        if arg in ('yes', 'y') :
+            run_ocamlsim= True
+        elif arg in ('no', 'n') :
+            run_ocamlsim= False
+        else :
+            print("error: invalid argument to '--run_ocamlsim' switch: " + arg)
+            sys.exit(1)
+    elif opt in ('--clean_build') :
+        if arg in ('yes', 'y') :
+            clean_build= True
+        elif arg in ('no', 'n') :
+            clean_build= False
+        else :
+            print("error: invalid argument to '--run_ocamlsim' switch: " + arg)
+            sys.exit(1)
+    elif opt in ('--test_dir') :
+        if not os.path.exists(arg) :
+            print("error: test_dir path, '" + arg + "', does not exist")
+            sys.exit(1)
+        test_dir_list = []
+        test_dir_list.append(arg)
+    else :
+        print("error: unexpected command line option: " + opt)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+print('outfile: ', xml_outfile)
+print('run_32bit_tests: ' + str(run_32bit_tests))
+print('run_64bit_tests: ' + str(run_64bit_tests))
+print('run_csim: ' + str(run_csim))
+print('run_ocamlsim: ' + str(run_ocamlsim))
+print('clean_build: ' + str(clean_build))
+print('test_dir_list: ' + str(test_dir_list))
+# TODO: check that only 1 dir in test_dir_list exists
+for d in test_dir_list :
+    if os.path.exists(d) :
+        TESTDIR = d
+    else :
+        pass
+
+print('TESTDIR : ' + TESTDIR)
+
+# DIR points to the invocation directory. 
+DIR = os.getcwd()
+SEARCH_DIR = DIR
+while SEARCH_DIR != '/' :
+    if os.path.isfile(SEARCH_DIR + '/' + sail_riscv_rootdir) :
+        RISCVDIR = SEARCH_DIR
+        break
+    if SEARCH_DIR == '/' :
+        print("error: can't find root directory of repository")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    SEARCH_DIR = os.path.dirname(SEARCH_DIR)
+
+print("RISCVDIR: " + RISCVDIR)
+
+#RISCVDIR = DIR + '/..'
+
+# TODO: get rid of ARCH env var.  It should not be
+#   used.  
+ARCH = os.environ.get("ARCH")
+
+if ARCH not in ('RV32', 'RV64') :
+    print_usage(sys.argv[0])
+    sys.exit(1)
+    
+RED     = '\033[0;91m'
+GREEN   = '\033[0;92m'
+YELLOW  = '\033[0;93m'
+NC      = '\033[0m'
+
+if os.path.isfile(DIR + '/tests.xml') != False :
+    os.remove(DIR + '/tests.xml')
+
+test_pass   = 0
+test_fail   = 0
+all_pass    = 0
+all_fail    = 0
+SUITE_XML   = ""
+SUITES_XML  = ""
+
+def green(test_str, ok_fail_str) :
+    global test_pass
+    global SUITE_XML
+    global GREEN
+    global NC
+    test_pass += 1
+    print(test_str + ':' + GREEN + ok_fail_str + NC)
+    SUITE_XML += '    <testcase name="' + test_str + '"/>\n'
+
+def yellow(test_str, ok_fail_str) :
+    global test_fail
+    global SUITE_XML
+    global YELLOW 
+    global NC
+    test_fail += 1
+    print(test_str + ':' + YELLOW + ok_fail_str + NC)
+    SUITE_XML += '    <testcase name="' + test_str + '">\n      <failure message="' + ok_fail_str + '">' + ok_fail_str + '</failure>\n    </testcase>\n'
+
+def red(test_str, ok_fail_str) :
+    global test_fail
+    global SUITE_XML
+    global RED 
+    global NC
+    test_fail += 1
+    print(test_str + ':' + RED + ok_fail_str + NC)
+    SUITE_XML += '    <testcase name="' + test_str + '">\n      <failure message="' + ok_fail_str + '">' + ok_fail_str + '</failure>\n    </testcase>\n'
+
+def finish_suite(suite_name) :
+    global test_pass
+    global test_fail
+    global all_pass
+    global all_fail
+    global SUITE_XML
+    global SUITES_XML
+    
+    print(suite_name + ': Passed ' + str(test_pass) + ' out of ' + str(test_pass + test_fail) + '\n\n')
+    date_tmp = subprocess.check_output("date", shell=True, text=True) 
+    date = date_tmp.rstrip()
+    SUITES_XML += '  <testsuite name="' + suite_name + '" tests=' + str(test_pass + test_fail ) + '" failures="' + str(test_fail) + '" timestamp="' + date + '">\n' + SUITE_XML + ' </testsuite>\n'
+    SUITE_XML=""
+    all_pass += test_pass
+    all_fail += test_fail
+    test_pass = 0
+    test_fail = 0
+
+# TODO:  there MUST be an equivalent to the 'file' command in python.
+#   Replace the 'file' command with a python equivalent.
+def is_elf(filename) :
+    cmd = "file -b " + filename + " | awk 'BEGIN { FS = \",\" } ; { print $1 } ' | grep -q \"ELF\" "
+    ret = os.system(cmd)
+    if ret == 0 :
+        return 1
+    else :
+        return 0
+
+def is_32bit(filename) :
+    cmd = "file -b " + filename + " | awk 'BEGIN { FS = \",\" } ; { print $1 } ' | grep -q \"32-bit\" "
+    ret = os.system(cmd)
+    if ret == 0 :
+        return 1
+    else :
+        return 0
+
+def is_64bit(filename) :
+    cmd = "file -b " + filename + " | awk 'BEGIN { FS = \",\" } ; { print $1 } ' | grep -q \"64-bit\" "
+    ret = os.system(cmd)
+    if ret == 0 :
+        return 1
+    else :
+        return 0
+
+def is_riscv(filename) :
+    cmd = "file -b " + filename + " | awk 'BEGIN { FS = \",\" } ; { print $2 } ' | grep -q \"RISC-V\" "
+    ret = os.system(cmd)
+    if ret == 0 :
+        return 1
+    else :
+        return 0
+
+def is_riscv_elf(filename) :
+    return is_elf(filename) and is_riscv(filename)
+
+def is_riscv_elf_32(filename) :
+    return is_riscv_elf(filename) and is_32bit(filename)
+
+def is_riscv_elf_64(filename) :
+    return is_riscv_elf(filename) and is_64bit(filename)
+
+# TODO:  check for success/failure of chdir
+os.chdir(RISCVDIR)
+
+print("DIR + '/' + TESTDIR + '/' + * :", DIR + '/' + TESTDIR + '/' + "*")
+
+# Do 'make clean' to avoid cross-arch pollution.
+
+if clean_build :
+    cmd = "make clean"
+    ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+    if ret_val != 0 :
+        print("error: non-zero exit value from command: '" + cmd + "'")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    else :
+        pass
+else :
+    pass
+
+print("Building 32-bit RISCV specification...")
+if run_ocamlsim :
+    if ARCH == 'RV32' :
+        cmd = "make ARCH=RV32 ocaml_emulator/riscv_ocaml_sim_RV32"
+        ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+        if ret_val == 0 :
+            green("Building 32-bit RISCV OCaml emulator", "ok")
+        else :
+            print("error: non-zero exit value from command: '" + cmd + "'")
+            red("Building 32-bit RISCV OCaml emulator","fail")
+
+TRACE("run_32bit_tests and run_ocamlsim : " + str(run_32bit_tests and run_ocamlsim))
+if run_32bit_tests and run_ocamlsim :
+    TRACE()
+    for test in glob.glob(DIR + '/' + TESTDIR + '/' + "*") :
+#        print("test: " + test)
+        if not is_riscv_elf_32(test) :
+            continue
+        # skip F/D tests on OCaml for now
+        pat = re.compile('(rv32ud)')
+        mo = pat.search(test)
+        if mo != None :
+            continue
+        pat = re.compile('(rv32uf)')
+        mo = pat.search(test)
+        if mo != None :
+            continue
+        outfile = test + ".out"
+        sim_switch = ""
+        for key in sim_test_command_line_switch :
+            pat = re.compile(key)
+            mo = pat.search(test)
+            if mo != None:
+                sim_switch = sim_test_command_line_switch[key]
+                break
+        cmd = "timeout 5 " + RISCVDIR + "/ocaml_emulator/riscv_ocaml_sim_RV32" + " " + sim_switch + " " + test + " > " + outfile + " 2>&1 && grep -q SUCCESS " + outfile
+        ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+        if ret_val == 0 :
+           green("OCaml-32 " + os.path.basename(test), "ok")
+        else :
+           red("OCaml-32 " + os.path.basename(test),  "fail")
+else :
+    pass
+
+finish_suite("32-bit RISCV OCaml-simulator tests")
+
+if clean_build :
+    cmd = "make clean"
+    ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+    if ret_val != 0 :
+        print("error: non-zero exit value from command: '" + cmd + "'")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    else :
+        pass
+else :
+    pass
+
+
+print("Building 32-bit RISCV specification...")
+if run_csim :
+    if ARCH == 'RV32' :
+        cmd = "make ARCH=RV32 SAILCOV=true c_emulator/riscv_sim_RV32"
+        ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+        if ret_val == 0 :
+            green("Building 32-bit RISCV OCaml emulator", "ok")
+        else :
+            print("error: non-zero exit value from command: '" + cmd + "'")
+            red("Building 32-bit RISCV OCaml emulator","fail")
+
+TRACE("run_32bit_tests and run_csim : " + str(run_32bit_tests and run_csim))
+if run_32bit_tests and run_csim :
+    TRACE()
+    for test in glob.glob(DIR + '/' + TESTDIR + '/' + "*") :
+#        print("test: " + test)
+        if not is_riscv_elf_32(test) :
+            continue
+        outfile = test + ".cout"
+        sim_switch = ""
+        for key in sim_test_command_line_switch :
+            pat = re.compile(key)
+            mo = pat.search(test)
+            if mo != None:
+                sim_switch = sim_test_command_line_switch[key]
+                break
+
+        cmd = "timeout 5 " + RISCVDIR + "/c_emulator/riscv_sim_RV32" + " " + sim_switch + " " + test + " > " + outfile + " 2>&1 && grep -q SUCCESS " + outfile
+        print("cmd: '" + cmd + "'")
+        ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+        if ret_val == 0 :
+           green("C-32 " + os.path.basename(test), "ok")
+        else :
+           red("C-32 " + os.path.basename(test),  "fail")
+else :
+    pass
+
+finish_suite("32-bit RISCV C-simulator tests")
+
+if clean_build :
+    cmd = "make clean"
+    ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+    if ret_val != 0 :
+        print("error: non-zero exit value from command: '" + cmd + "'")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    else :
+        pass
+else :
+    pass
+
+print("Building 64-bit RISCV specification...")
+if run_ocamlsim :
+    ARCH = 'RV64'
+    if ARCH == 'RV64' :
+        cmd = "make ARCH=RV64 ocaml_emulator/riscv_ocaml_sim_RV64"
+        ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+        if ret_val == 0 :
+            green("Building 64-bit RISCV OCaml emulator", "ok")
+        else :
+            print("error: non-zero exit value from command: '" + cmd + "'")
+            red("Building 64-bit RISCV OCaml emulator","fail")
+
+TRACE("run_64bit_tests and run_ocamlsim : " + str(run_64bit_tests and run_ocamlsim))
+if run_64bit_tests and run_ocamlsim :
+    TRACE()
+    for test in glob.glob(DIR + '/' + TESTDIR + '/' + "*") :
+#        print("test: " + test)
+        if not is_riscv_elf_64(test) :
+            continue
+        # skip F/D tests on OCaml for now
+        pat = re.compile('(rv64ud)')
+        mo = pat.search(test)
+        if mo != None :
+            continue
+        pat = re.compile('(rv64uf)')
+        mo = pat.search(test)
+        if mo != None :
+            continue
+        outfile = test + ".out"
+        sim_switch = ""
+        for key in sim_test_command_line_switch :
+            pat = re.compile(key)
+            mo = pat.search(test)
+            if mo != None:
+                sim_switch = sim_test_command_line_switch[key]
+                break
+        cmd = "timeout 5 " + RISCVDIR + "/ocaml_emulator/riscv_ocaml_sim_RV64" + " " + sim_switch + " " + test + " > " + outfile + " 2>&1 && grep -q SUCCESS " + outfile
+        ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+        if ret_val == 0 :
+           green("OCaml-64 " + os.path.basename(test), "ok")
+        else :
+           red("OCaml-64 " + os.path.basename(test),  "fail")
+else :
+    pass
+
+finish_suite("64-bit RISCV OCaml-simulator tests")
+
+
+if clean_build :
+    cmd = "make clean"
+    ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+    if ret_val != 0 :
+        print("error: non-zero exit value from command: '" + cmd + "'")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    else :
+        pass
+else :
+    pass
+
+print("Building 64-bit RISCV specification...")
+if run_csim :
+    ARCH = 'RV64'
+    if ARCH == 'RV64' :
+        cmd = "make ARCH=RV64 SAILCOV=true c_emulator/riscv_sim_RV64"
+        ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+        if ret_val == 0 :
+            green("Building 64-bit RISCV C emulator", "ok")
+        else :
+            print("error: non-zero exit value from command: '" + cmd + "'")
+            red("Building 64-bit RISCV C emulator","fail")
+
+TRACE("run_64bit_tests and run_csim : " + str(run_64bit_tests and run_csim))
+if run_64bit_tests and run_csim :
+    TRACE()
+    for test in glob.glob(DIR + '/' + TESTDIR + '/' + "*") :
+#        print("test: " + test)
+        if not is_riscv_elf_64(test) :
+            continue
+        outfile = test + ".cout"
+        sim_switch = ""
+        for key in sim_test_command_line_switch :
+            pat = re.compile(key)
+            mo = pat.search(test)
+            if mo != None:
+                sim_switch = sim_test_command_line_switch[key]
+                break
+        cmd = "timeout 5 " + RISCVDIR + "/c_emulator/riscv_sim_RV64" + " " + sim_switch + " " + test + " > " + outfile + " 2>&1 && grep -q SUCCESS " + outfile
+        ret_val = os.system(cmd)
+        if ret_val == 0 :
+           green("C-64 " + os.path.basename(test), "ok")
+        else :
+           red("C-64 " + os.path.basename(test),  "fail")
+else :
+    pass
+
+finish_suite("64-bit RISCV C-simulator tests")
+
+print('Passed ' + str(all_pass) + ' out of ' + str(all_pass + all_fail) + '\n\n')
+XML = '<testsuites tests="' + str(all_pass + all_fail) + '" failures="' + str(all_fail) + '">\n' + SUITES_XML + '</testsuites>\n'
+
+xml_outfile_fh = open(DIR + '/' + xml_outfile, 'w')
+print(XML, file = xml_outfile_fh)
+xml_outfile_fh.close()
+
+if all_fail > 0 :
+    sys.exit(1)
+else :
+    sys.exit(0)
+