diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index fcb1d43b..c2a51436 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ SRCS=	attributes.c buffer-poll.c buffer.c cfg.c client-fn.c \
 	cmd-set-password.c cmd-set-window-option.c cmd-show-buffer.c \
 	cmd-show-options.c cmd-show-window-options.c cmd-source-file.c \
 	cmd-split-window.c cmd-start-server.c cmd-string.c cmd-if-shell.c \
-	cmd-suspend-client.c cmd-swap-pane.c cmd-swap-window.c \
+	cmd-run-shell.c cmd-suspend-client.c cmd-swap-pane.c cmd-swap-window.c \
 	cmd-switch-client.c cmd-unbind-key.c cmd-unlink-window.c \
 	cmd-set-environment.c cmd-show-environment.c cmd-choose-client.c \
 	cmd-up-pane.c cmd-display-message.c cmd-display-panes.c cmd.c \
diff --git a/cmd-run-shell.c b/cmd-run-shell.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..71e5b96b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd-run-shell.c
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+/* $OpenBSD$ */
+
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2009 Tiago Cunha <me@tiagocunha.org>
+ *
+ * Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any
+ * purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
+ * copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
+ * WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
+ * MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR
+ * ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
+ * WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF MIND, USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER
+ * IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING
+ * OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
+ */
+
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <sys/wait.h>
+
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include "tmux.h"
+
+/*
+ * Runs a command without a window.
+ */
+
+int	cmd_run_shell_exec(struct cmd *, struct cmd_ctx *);
+
+const struct cmd_entry cmd_run_shell_entry = {
+	"run-shell", "run",
+	"command",
+	CMD_ARG1, 0,
+	cmd_target_init,
+	cmd_target_parse,
+	cmd_run_shell_exec,
+	cmd_target_free,
+	cmd_target_print
+};
+
+int
+cmd_run_shell_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmd_ctx *ctx)
+{
+	struct cmd_target_data	*data = self->data;
+	FILE			*fp;
+	char			*buf, *lbuf, *msg;
+	size_t			 len;
+	int			 has_output, ret, status;
+
+	if ((fp = popen(data->arg, "r")) == NULL) {
+		ctx->error(ctx, "popen error");
+		return (-1);
+	}
+
+	has_output = 0;
+	lbuf = NULL;
+	while ((buf = fgetln(fp, &len)) != NULL) {
+		if (buf[len - 1] == '\n')
+			buf[len - 1] = '\0';
+		else {
+			lbuf = xmalloc(len + 1);
+			memcpy(lbuf, buf, len);
+			lbuf[len] = '\0';
+			buf = lbuf;
+		}
+		ctx->print(ctx, "%s", buf);
+		has_output = 1;
+	}
+	if (lbuf != NULL)
+		xfree(lbuf);
+
+	msg = NULL;
+	status = pclose(fp);
+
+	if (WIFEXITED(status)) {
+		if ((ret = WEXITSTATUS(status)) == 0)
+			return (0);
+		xasprintf(&msg, "'%s' returned %d", data->arg, ret);
+	} else if (WIFSIGNALED(status)) {
+		xasprintf(
+		    &msg, "'%s' terminated by signal %d", data->arg,
+		    WTERMSIG(status));
+	}
+
+	if (msg != NULL) {
+		if (has_output)
+			ctx->print(ctx, "%s", msg);
+		else
+			ctx->info(ctx, "%s", msg);
+		xfree(msg);
+	}
+
+	return (0);
+}
diff --git a/cmd.c b/cmd.c
index 08aea7cb..a391945d 100644
--- a/cmd.c
+++ b/cmd.c
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ const struct cmd_entry *cmd_table[] = {
 	&cmd_resize_pane_entry,
 	&cmd_respawn_window_entry,
 	&cmd_rotate_window_entry,
+	&cmd_run_shell_entry,
 	&cmd_save_buffer_entry,
 	&cmd_scroll_mode_entry,
 	&cmd_select_layout_entry,
diff --git a/tmux.1 b/tmux.1
index 5db6c0c9..d78981f7 100644
--- a/tmux.1
+++ b/tmux.1
@@ -1959,6 +1959,15 @@ returns success.
 .It Ic lock-server
 .D1 (alias: Ic lock )
 Lock the server until a password is entered.
+.It Ic run-shell Ar command
+.D1 (alias: Ic run )
+Execute
+.Ar command
+without creating a window.
+Any output to stdout is displayed in output mode.
+If
+.Ar command 
+doesn't return success, the exit status is also displayed.
 .It Ic server-info
 .D1 (alias: Ic info )
 Show server information and terminal details.
diff --git a/tmux.h b/tmux.h
index c6d77b40..6a453c1b 100644
--- a/tmux.h
+++ b/tmux.h
@@ -1338,6 +1338,7 @@ extern const struct cmd_entry cmd_rename_window_entry;
 extern const struct cmd_entry cmd_resize_pane_entry;
 extern const struct cmd_entry cmd_respawn_window_entry;
 extern const struct cmd_entry cmd_rotate_window_entry;
+extern const struct cmd_entry cmd_run_shell_entry;
 extern const struct cmd_entry cmd_save_buffer_entry;
 extern const struct cmd_entry cmd_scroll_mode_entry;
 extern const struct cmd_entry cmd_select_layout_entry;