diff --git a/rt-shell/objects/obj_shell/Create_0.gml b/rt-shell/objects/obj_shell/Create_0.gml
index 7557801..d1a4ffc 100644
--- a/rt-shell/objects/obj_shell/Create_0.gml
+++ b/rt-shell/objects/obj_shell/Create_0.gml
@@ -19,6 +19,25 @@ if (instance_number(obj_shell) > 1) {
 	instance_destroy();
 }
 
+/// @function open
+/// Opens the shell
+function open() {
+	isOpen = true;
+	keyboard_string = "";
+	if (!is_undefined(openFunction)) {
+		openFunction();
+	}
+}
+
+/// @function close
+/// Closes the shell
+function close() {
+	isOpen = false;
+	if (!is_undefined(closeFunction)) {
+		closeFunction();
+	}
+}
+
 // Create a list of shell functions in the global namespace to
 // filter for autocompletion
 autocompleteFunctions = [];
diff --git a/rt-shell/objects/obj_shell/Step_0.gml b/rt-shell/objects/obj_shell/Step_0.gml
index f39b4ab..76b8ca6 100644
--- a/rt-shell/objects/obj_shell/Step_0.gml
+++ b/rt-shell/objects/obj_shell/Step_0.gml
@@ -6,20 +6,13 @@ if (!surface_exists(shellSurface)) {
 
 if (!isOpen) {
 	if (self.keyComboPressed()) {
-		isOpen = true;
-		keyboard_string = "";
-		if (!is_undefined(openFunction)) {
-			openFunction();
-		}
+		self.open();
 	}
 } else {
 	var prevConsoleString = consoleString;
 	
 	if (keyboard_check_pressed(vk_escape)) {
-		isOpen = false;
-		if (!is_undefined(closeFunction)) {
-			closeFunction();
-		}
+		self.close()
 	} else if (self.keyboardCheckDelay(vk_backspace)) {
 		consoleString = string_delete(consoleString, cursorPos - 1, 1);
 		cursorPos = max(1, cursorPos - 1);
diff --git a/rt-shell/scripts/scr_shell_scripts/scr_shell_scripts.gml b/rt-shell/scripts/scr_shell_scripts/scr_shell_scripts.gml
index f98111d..5eb94ea 100644
--- a/rt-shell/scripts/scr_shell_scripts/scr_shell_scripts.gml
+++ b/rt-shell/scripts/scr_shell_scripts/scr_shell_scripts.gml
@@ -24,7 +24,9 @@ function sh_help() {
 		"set_shell_width <width>\n" +
 		"   sets the shell's width in pixels\n" +
 		"set_shell_height <height>\n" +
-		"   sets the shell's height in pixels"
+		"   sets the shell's height in pixels\n" +
+		"close\n" +
+		"   closes the shell"
 	)
 }
 
@@ -91,6 +93,10 @@ function sh_say_greeting(args) {
 	return "Hello " + whomToGreet + "!";
 }
 
+function sh_close() {
+	obj_shell.close();
+}
+
 function sh_theme_rtshell_dark() {
 	obj_shell.consoleAlpha = 0.9;
 	obj_shell.consoleColor = c_black;