diff --git a/kittens/ask/__init__.py b/kittens/ask/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/kittens/ask/main.py b/kittens/ask/main.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9bd1c5939
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kittens/ask/main.py
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+# vim:fileencoding=utf-8
+# License: GPL v3 Copyright: 2018, Kovid Goyal <kovid at kovidgoyal.net>
+
+import json
+import readline
+import sys
+from gettext import gettext as _
+
+from kitty.cli import parse_args
+
+from ..tui.operations import alternate_screen, styled
+
+
+def option_text():
+    return '''\
+--type -t
+choices=line
+default=line
+Type of input. Defaults to asking for a line of text.
+
+
+--message -m
+The message to display to the user. If not specified a default
+message is shown.
+'''
+
+
+def main(args=sys.argv):
+    msg = 'Ask the user for input'
+    try:
+        args, items = parse_args(args[1:], option_text, '', msg, 'kitty ask')
+    except SystemExit as e:
+        print(e.args[0], file=sys.stderr)
+        input('Press enter to quit...')
+        return 1
+
+    with alternate_screen():
+        if args.message:
+            print(styled(args.message), bold=True)
+
+        readline.read_init_file()
+
+        prompt = ': '
+        if args.type == 'line':
+            prompt = _('Enter line: ')
+        try:
+            ans = input(prompt)
+        except (KeyboardInterrupt, EOFError):
+            return
+    print('OK:', json.dumps(ans))
diff --git a/kittens/tui/operations.py b/kittens/tui/operations.py
index 1fcda719b..caf6cb528 100644
--- a/kittens/tui/operations.py
+++ b/kittens/tui/operations.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # vim:fileencoding=utf-8
 # License: GPL v3 Copyright: 2018, Kovid Goyal <kovid at kovidgoyal.net>
 
+import sys
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 
 from kitty.terminfo import string_capabilities
@@ -151,3 +152,11 @@ def cursor(write):
     write(SAVE_CURSOR)
     yield
     write(RESTORE_CURSOR)
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def alternate_screen(f=None):
+    f = f or sys.stdout
+    print(set_mode('ALTERNATE_SCREEN'), end='', file=f)
+    yield
+    print(reset_mode('ALTERNATE_SCREEN'), end='', file=f)
diff --git a/kittens/url_hints/main.py b/kittens/url_hints/main.py
index fd9cdf7db..7027e244a 100644
--- a/kittens/url_hints/main.py
+++ b/kittens/url_hints/main.py
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ expression instead.
 
 --url-prefixes
 default={0}
-Comma separeted list of recognized URL prefixes. Defaults to:
+Comma separated list of recognized URL prefixes. Defaults to:
 {0}
 '''.format, ','.join(sorted(URL_PREFIXES)))