diff --git a/data/actionsmap/yunohost.yml b/data/actionsmap/yunohost.yml
index df13e3bc9..24136a1ce 100644
--- a/data/actionsmap/yunohost.yml
+++ b/data/actionsmap/yunohost.yml
@@ -1467,6 +1467,16 @@ tools:
                     extra:
                         pattern: *pattern_port
 
+        ### tools_shell()
+        shell:
+            configuration:
+                authenticate: all
+            action_help: Launch a development shell
+            arguments:
+                -c:
+                    help: python command to execute
+                    full: --command
+
         ### tools_shutdown()
         shutdown:
             action_help: Shutdown the server
diff --git a/src/yunohost/tools.py b/src/yunohost/tools.py
index 70c867525..ec73b87e9 100644
--- a/src/yunohost/tools.py
+++ b/src/yunohost/tools.py
@@ -817,6 +817,34 @@ def tools_migrations_state():
     return read_json(MIGRATIONS_STATE_PATH)
 
 
+def tools_shell(auth, command=None):
+    """
+    Launch an (i)python shell in the YunoHost context.
+
+    This is entirely aim for development.
+    """
+
+    if command:
+        exec(command)
+        return
+
+    logger.warn("The \033[1;34mauth\033[0m is available in this context")
+    try:
+        from IPython import embed
+        embed()
+    except ImportError:
+        logger.warn("You don't have IPython installed, consider installing it as it is way better than the standard shell.")
+        logger.warn("Falling back on the standard shell.")
+
+        import readline # will allow Up/Down/History in the console
+        readline  # to please pyflakes
+        import code
+        vars = globals().copy()
+        vars.update(locals())
+        shell = code.InteractiveConsole(vars)
+        shell.interact()
+
+
 def _get_migrations_list():
     migrations = []