diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index a9d6be98..a8060f90 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -655,6 +655,19 @@ endif()
 
 list(APPEND EXTRA_LIBRARIES ${CMAKE_DL_LIBS})
 
+option(USE_READLINE "Build with GNU readline support." ON)
+if(USE_READLINE)
+  find_package(Readline)
+  if(READLINE_FOUND AND GNU_READLINE_FOUND)
+    add_definitions(-DHAVE_READLINE)
+    include_directories(${Readline_INCLUDE_DIR})
+    list(APPEND EXTRA_LIBRARIES ${Readline_LIBRARY})
+    message(STATUS "Found readline library at: ${Readline_ROOT_DIR}")
+  else()
+    message(STATUS "Could not find GNU readline library so building without readline support")
+  endif()
+endif()
+
 if(ANDROID)
   set(ATOMIC libatomic.a)
 endif()
diff --git a/cmake/FindReadline.cmake b/cmake/FindReadline.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9ccef7ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/FindReadline.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+# - Try to find readline include dirs and libraries 
+#
+# Usage of this module as follows:
+#
+#     find_package(Readline)
+#
+# Variables used by this module, they can change the default behaviour and need
+# to be set before calling find_package:
+#
+#  Readline_ROOT_DIR         Set this variable to the root installation of
+#                            readline if the module has problems finding the
+#                            proper installation path.
+#
+# Variables defined by this module:
+#
+#  READLINE_FOUND            System has readline, include and lib dirs found
+#  GNU_READLINE_FOUND        Version of readline found is GNU readline, not libedit!
+#  Readline_INCLUDE_DIR      The readline include directories. 
+#  Readline_LIBRARY          The readline library.
+
+find_path(Readline_ROOT_DIR
+    NAMES include/readline/readline.h
+    PATHS /opt/local/ /usr/local/ /usr/
+    NO_DEFAULT_PATH
+)
+
+find_path(Readline_INCLUDE_DIR
+    NAMES readline/readline.h
+    PATHS ${Readline_ROOT_DIR}/include
+    NO_DEFAULT_PATH
+)
+
+find_library(Readline_LIBRARY
+    NAMES readline
+    PATHS ${Readline_ROOT_DIR}/lib
+    NO_DEFAULT_PATH
+)
+
+if(Readline_INCLUDE_DIR AND Readline_LIBRARY AND Ncurses_LIBRARY)
+  set(READLINE_FOUND TRUE)
+else(Readline_INCLUDE_DIR AND Readline_LIBRARY AND Ncurses_LIBRARY)
+  FIND_LIBRARY(Readline_LIBRARY NAMES readline PATHS Readline_ROOT_DIR)
+  include(FindPackageHandleStandardArgs)
+  FIND_PACKAGE_HANDLE_STANDARD_ARGS(Readline DEFAULT_MSG Readline_INCLUDE_DIR Readline_LIBRARY )
+  MARK_AS_ADVANCED(Readline_INCLUDE_DIR Readline_LIBRARY)
+endif(Readline_INCLUDE_DIR AND Readline_LIBRARY AND Ncurses_LIBRARY)
+
+mark_as_advanced(
+    Readline_ROOT_DIR
+    Readline_INCLUDE_DIR
+    Readline_LIBRARY
+)
+
+set(CMAKE_REQUIRED_INCLUDES ${Readline_INCLUDE_DIR})
+set(CMAKE_REQUIRED_LIBRARIES ${Readline_LIBRARY})
+INCLUDE(CheckCXXSourceCompiles) 
+CHECK_CXX_SOURCE_COMPILES(
+"
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <readline/readline.h>
+int
+main()
+{
+  char * s  = rl_copy_text(0, 0);
+}
+" GNU_READLINE_FOUND)
diff --git a/contrib/epee/include/console_handler.h b/contrib/epee/include/console_handler.h
index 54e3e966..bb20faa6 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/include/console_handler.h
+++ b/contrib/epee/include/console_handler.h
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@
 #endif
 #include <boost/thread.hpp>
 
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+  #include "readline_buffer.h"
+#endif
+
 namespace epee
 {
   class async_stdin_reader
@@ -49,6 +53,10 @@ namespace epee
       , m_read_status(state_init)
     {
       m_reader_thread = boost::thread(std::bind(&async_stdin_reader::reader_thread_func, this));
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+      m_readline_buffer.start();
+      m_readline_thread = boost::thread(std::bind(&async_stdin_reader::readline_thread_func, this));
+#endif
     }
 
     ~async_stdin_reader()
@@ -56,6 +64,13 @@ namespace epee
       stop();
     }
 
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+    rdln::readline_buffer& get_readline_buffer()
+    {
+      return m_readline_buffer;
+    }
+#endif
+
     // Not thread safe. Only one thread can call this method at once.
     bool get_line(std::string& line)
     {
@@ -98,6 +113,10 @@ namespace epee
 
         m_request_cv.notify_one();
         m_reader_thread.join();
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+        m_readline_buffer.stop();
+        m_readline_thread.join();
+#endif
       }
     }
 
@@ -174,6 +193,16 @@ namespace epee
       return true;
     }
 
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+    void readline_thread_func()
+    {
+      while (m_run.load(std::memory_order_relaxed))
+      {
+        m_readline_buffer.process();
+      }
+    }
+#endif
+
     void reader_thread_func()
     {
       while (true)
@@ -187,7 +216,11 @@ namespace epee
         {
           if (m_run.load(std::memory_order_relaxed))
           {
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+            m_readline_buffer.get_line(line);
+#else
             std::getline(std::cin, line);
+#endif
             read_ok = !std::cin.eof() && !std::cin.fail();
           }
         }
@@ -229,6 +262,10 @@ namespace epee
   private:
     boost::thread m_reader_thread;
     std::atomic<bool> m_run;
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+    boost::thread m_readline_thread;
+    rdln::readline_buffer m_readline_buffer;
+#endif
 
     std::string m_line;
     bool m_has_read_request;
@@ -277,12 +314,16 @@ namespace epee
     {
       if (!m_prompt.empty())
       {
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+        m_stdin_reader.get_readline_buffer().set_prompt(m_prompt);
+#else
         epee::set_console_color(epee::console_color_yellow, true);
         std::cout << m_prompt;
         if (' ' != m_prompt.back())
           std::cout << ' ';
         epee::reset_console_color();
         std::cout.flush();
+#endif
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/contrib/epee/include/readline_buffer.h b/contrib/epee/include/readline_buffer.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7d929bc4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/contrib/epee/include/readline_buffer.h
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <streambuf>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <iostream>
+
+namespace rdln
+{
+  class readline_buffer : public std::stringbuf
+  {
+  public:
+    readline_buffer();
+    void start();
+    void stop();
+    int process();
+    bool is_running()
+    {
+      return m_cout_buf != NULL;
+    }
+    void get_line(std::string& line);
+    void set_prompt(const std::string& prompt);
+    
+  protected:
+    virtual int sync();
+    
+  private:
+    std::streambuf* m_cout_buf;
+  };
+  
+  class suspend_readline
+  {
+  public:
+    suspend_readline();
+    ~suspend_readline();
+  private:
+    readline_buffer* m_buffer;
+    bool m_restart;
+  };
+}
+
diff --git a/contrib/epee/src/CMakeLists.txt b/contrib/epee/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 43785183..c61a6e68 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/contrib/epee/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -26,7 +26,12 @@
 # STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF
 # THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
-add_library(epee STATIC hex.cpp http_auth.cpp mlog.cpp string_tools.cpp)
+if (USE_READLINE AND GNU_READLINE_FOUND)
+  add_library(epee STATIC hex.cpp http_auth.cpp mlog.cpp string_tools.cpp readline_buffer.cpp)
+else()
+  add_library(epee STATIC hex.cpp http_auth.cpp mlog.cpp string_tools.cpp)
+endif()
+
 # Build and install libepee if we're building for GUI
 if (BUILD_GUI_DEPS)
     if(IOS)
diff --git a/contrib/epee/src/readline_buffer.cpp b/contrib/epee/src/readline_buffer.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..68b739db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/contrib/epee/src/readline_buffer.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+#include "readline_buffer.h"
+#include <readline/readline.h>
+#include <readline/history.h>
+#include <sys/select.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <mutex>
+#include <condition_variable>
+
+static int process_input();
+static void install_line_handler();
+static void remove_line_handler();
+
+static std::string last_line;
+static std::string last_prompt;
+std::mutex line_mutex, sync_mutex;
+std::condition_variable have_line;
+
+namespace
+{
+  rdln::readline_buffer* current = NULL;
+}
+
+rdln::suspend_readline::suspend_readline()
+{
+  m_buffer = current;
+  if(!m_buffer)
+    return;
+  m_restart = m_buffer->is_running();
+  if(m_restart)
+    m_buffer->stop();
+}
+
+rdln::suspend_readline::~suspend_readline()
+{
+  if(!m_buffer)
+    return;
+  if(m_restart)
+    m_buffer->start();
+}
+
+rdln::readline_buffer::readline_buffer()
+: std::stringbuf()
+{
+  current = this;
+}
+
+void rdln::readline_buffer::start()
+{
+  if(m_cout_buf != NULL)
+    return;
+  m_cout_buf = std::cout.rdbuf();
+  std::cout.rdbuf(this);
+  install_line_handler();
+}
+
+void rdln::readline_buffer::stop()
+{
+  if(m_cout_buf == NULL)
+    return;
+  std::cout.rdbuf(m_cout_buf);
+  m_cout_buf = NULL;
+  remove_line_handler();
+}
+
+void rdln::readline_buffer::get_line(std::string& line)
+{
+  std::unique_lock<std::mutex> lock(line_mutex);
+  have_line.wait(lock);
+  line = last_line;
+}
+
+void rdln::readline_buffer::set_prompt(const std::string& prompt)
+{
+  last_prompt = prompt;
+  if(m_cout_buf == NULL)
+    return;
+  rl_set_prompt(last_prompt.c_str());
+  rl_redisplay();
+}
+
+int rdln::readline_buffer::process()
+{
+  if(m_cout_buf == NULL)
+    return 0;
+  return process_input();
+}
+
+int rdln::readline_buffer::sync()
+{
+  std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(sync_mutex);
+  char* saved_line;
+  int saved_point;
+  
+  saved_point = rl_point;
+  saved_line = rl_copy_text(0, rl_end);
+  
+  rl_set_prompt("");
+  rl_replace_line("", 0);
+  rl_redisplay();
+  
+  do
+  {
+    char x = this->sgetc();
+    m_cout_buf->sputc(x);
+  }
+  while ( this->snextc() != EOF );
+  
+  rl_set_prompt(last_prompt.c_str());
+  rl_replace_line(saved_line, 0);
+  rl_point = saved_point;
+  rl_redisplay();
+  free(saved_line);
+  
+  return 0;
+}
+
+static fd_set fds;
+
+static int process_input()
+{
+  int count;
+  struct timeval t;
+  
+  t.tv_sec = 0;
+  t.tv_usec = 0;
+  
+  FD_ZERO(&fds);
+  FD_SET(STDIN_FILENO, &fds);
+  count = select(FD_SETSIZE, &fds, NULL, NULL, &t);
+  if (count < 1)
+  {
+    return count;
+  }
+  rl_callback_read_char();
+  return count;
+}
+
+static void handle_line(char* line)
+{
+  if (line != NULL)
+  {
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(sync_mutex);
+    rl_set_prompt(last_prompt.c_str());
+    rl_already_prompted = 1;
+    return;
+  }
+  rl_set_prompt("");
+  rl_replace_line("", 0);
+  rl_redisplay();
+  rl_set_prompt(last_prompt.c_str());
+}
+
+static int handle_enter(int x, int y)
+{
+  std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(sync_mutex);
+  char* line = NULL;
+  
+  line = rl_copy_text(0, rl_end);
+  rl_set_prompt("");
+  rl_replace_line("", 1);
+  rl_redisplay();
+  
+  if (strcmp(line, "") != 0)
+  {
+    last_line = line;
+    add_history(line);
+    have_line.notify_one();
+  }
+  free(line);
+  
+  rl_set_prompt(last_prompt.c_str());
+  rl_redisplay();
+  
+  rl_done = 1;
+  return 0;
+}
+
+static int startup_hook()
+{
+  rl_bind_key(RETURN, handle_enter);
+  rl_bind_key(NEWLINE, handle_enter);
+  return 0;
+}
+
+static void install_line_handler()
+{
+  rl_startup_hook = startup_hook;
+  rl_callback_handler_install("", handle_line);
+}
+
+static void remove_line_handler()
+{
+  rl_unbind_key(RETURN);
+  rl_callback_handler_remove();
+}
+
diff --git a/src/common/command_line.cpp b/src/common/command_line.cpp
index f71b3e57..8c2796bb 100644
--- a/src/common/command_line.cpp
+++ b/src/common/command_line.cpp
@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@
 #include "cryptonote_config.h"
 #include "string_tools.h"
 
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+  #include "readline_buffer.h"
+#endif
+
 namespace command_line
 {
   namespace
@@ -49,6 +53,9 @@ namespace command_line
 
   std::string input_line(const std::string& prompt)
   {
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+    rdln::suspend_readline pause_readline;
+#endif
     std::cout << prompt;
 
     std::string buf;
diff --git a/src/common/password.cpp b/src/common/password.cpp
index bdc9c69c..5c04023f 100644
--- a/src/common/password.cpp
+++ b/src/common/password.cpp
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@
 #include <unistd.h>
 #endif
 
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+  #include "readline_buffer.h"
+#endif
+
 namespace
 {
 #if defined(_WIN32)
@@ -238,6 +242,9 @@ namespace tools
 
   boost::optional<password_container> password_container::prompt(const bool verify, const char *message)
   {
+#ifdef HAVE_READLINE
+    rdln::suspend_readline pause_readline;
+#endif
     password_container pass1{};
     password_container pass2{};
     if (is_cin_tty() ? read_from_tty(verify, message, pass1.m_password, pass2.m_password) : read_from_file(pass1.m_password))