diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 6ff7fc3a1..0852c71a6 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ unittest: runctestimage
 	docker run -e TESTFLAGS -ti --privileged --rm -v $(CURDIR):/go/src/$(PROJECT) $(RUNC_TEST_IMAGE) make localunittest
 
 localunittest: all
-	go test -tags "$(BUILDTAGS)" ${TESTFLAGS} -v ./...
+	go test -timeout 3m -tags "$(BUILDTAGS)" ${TESTFLAGS} -v ./...
 
 integration: runctestimage
 	docker run -e TESTFLAGS -t --privileged --rm -v $(CURDIR):/go/src/$(PROJECT) $(RUNC_TEST_IMAGE) make localintegration
diff --git a/create.go b/create.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6b754d8fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/create.go
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"os"
+
+	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
+)
+
+var createCommand = cli.Command{
+	Name:  "create",
+	Usage: "create a container",
+	ArgsUsage: `<container-id>
+
+Where "<container-id>" is your name for the instance of the container that you
+are starting. The name you provide for the container instance must be unique on
+your host.`,
+	Description: `The create command creates an instance of a container for a bundle. The bundle
+is a directory with a specification file named "` + specConfig + `" and a root
+filesystem.
+
+The specification file includes an args parameter. The args parameter is used
+to specify command(s) that get run when the container is started. To change the
+command(s) that get executed on start, edit the args parameter of the spec. See
+"runc spec --help" for more explanation.`,
+	Flags: []cli.Flag{
+		cli.StringFlag{
+			Name:  "bundle, b",
+			Value: "",
+			Usage: `path to the root of the bundle directory, defaults to the current directory`,
+		},
+		cli.StringFlag{
+			Name:  "console",
+			Value: "",
+			Usage: "specify the pty slave path for use with the container",
+		},
+		cli.StringFlag{
+			Name:  "pid-file",
+			Value: "",
+			Usage: "specify the file to write the process id to",
+		},
+		cli.BoolFlag{
+			Name:  "no-pivot",
+			Usage: "do not use pivot root to jail process inside rootfs.  This should be used whenever the rootfs is on top of a ramdisk",
+		},
+	},
+	Action: func(context *cli.Context) error {
+		spec, err := setupSpec(context)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		status, err := startContainer(context, spec, true)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		// exit with the container's exit status so any external supervisor is
+		// notified of the exit with the correct exit status.
+		os.Exit(status)
+		return nil
+	},
+}
diff --git a/delete.go b/delete.go
index 17d5c2fa7..81cb4cda6 100644
--- a/delete.go
+++ b/delete.go
@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"syscall"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
 	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer"
@@ -19,7 +22,7 @@ Where "<container-id>" is the name for the instance of the container.
 
 EXAMPLE:
 For example, if the container id is "ubuntu01" and runc list currently shows the
-status of "ubuntu01" as "destroyed" the following will delete resources held for
+status of "ubuntu01" as "stopped" the following will delete resources held for
 "ubuntu01" removing "ubuntu01" from the runc list of containers:  
 	 
        # runc delete ubuntu01`,
@@ -36,7 +39,26 @@ status of "ubuntu01" as "destroyed" the following will delete resources held for
 			}
 			return nil
 		}
-		destroy(container)
+		s, err := container.Status()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		switch s {
+		case libcontainer.Stopped:
+			destroy(container)
+		case libcontainer.Created:
+			container.Signal(syscall.SIGKILL)
+			for i := 0; i < 100; i++ {
+				time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+				if err := container.Signal(syscall.Signal(0)); err != nil {
+					destroy(container)
+					return nil
+				}
+			}
+			return fmt.Errorf("container init still running")
+		default:
+			return fmt.Errorf("cannot delete container that is not stopped: %s", s)
+		}
 		return nil
 	},
 }
diff --git a/events.go b/events.go
index 9777e4826..2d7b48954 100644
--- a/events.go
+++ b/events.go
@@ -116,7 +116,8 @@ information is displayed once every 5 seconds.`,
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		if status == libcontainer.Destroyed {
+		if status == libcontainer.Stopped {
+			fatalf("container with id %s is not running", container.ID())
 			return fmt.Errorf("container with id %s is not running", container.ID())
 		}
 		var (
diff --git a/libcontainer/container.go b/libcontainer/container.go
index 8d282a1e4..1dc283d8b 100644
--- a/libcontainer/container.go
+++ b/libcontainer/container.go
@@ -15,20 +15,16 @@ import (
 type Status int
 
 const (
-	// Created is the status that denotes the container exists but has not been run yet
+	// Created is the status that denotes the container exists but has not been run yet.
 	Created Status = iota
-
 	// Running is the status that denotes the container exists and is running.
 	Running
-
 	// Pausing is the status that denotes the container exists, it is in the process of being paused.
 	Pausing
-
 	// Paused is the status that denotes the container exists, but all its processes are paused.
 	Paused
-
-	// Destroyed is the status that denotes the container does not exist.
-	Destroyed
+	// Stopped is the status that denotes the container does not have a created or running process.
+	Stopped
 )
 
 func (s Status) String() string {
@@ -41,8 +37,8 @@ func (s Status) String() string {
 		return "pausing"
 	case Paused:
 		return "paused"
-	case Destroyed:
-		return "destroyed"
+	case Stopped:
+		return "stopped"
 	default:
 		return "unknown"
 	}
@@ -80,13 +76,13 @@ type BaseContainer interface {
 	//
 	// errors:
 	// ContainerDestroyed - Container no longer exists,
-	// Systemerror - System error.
+	// SystemError - System error.
 	Status() (Status, error)
 
 	// State returns the current container's state information.
 	//
 	// errors:
-	// Systemerror - System error.
+	// SystemError - System error.
 	State() (*State, error)
 
 	// Returns the current config of the container.
@@ -96,7 +92,7 @@ type BaseContainer interface {
 	//
 	// errors:
 	// ContainerDestroyed - Container no longer exists,
-	// Systemerror - System error.
+	// SystemError - System error.
 	//
 	// Some of the returned PIDs may no longer refer to processes in the Container, unless
 	// the Container state is PAUSED in which case every PID in the slice is valid.
@@ -106,7 +102,7 @@ type BaseContainer interface {
 	//
 	// errors:
 	// ContainerDestroyed - Container no longer exists,
-	// Systemerror - System error.
+	// SystemError - System error.
 	Stats() (*Stats, error)
 
 	// Set resources of container as configured
@@ -114,7 +110,7 @@ type BaseContainer interface {
 	// We can use this to change resources when containers are running.
 	//
 	// errors:
-	// Systemerror - System error.
+	// SystemError - System error.
 	Set(config configs.Config) error
 
 	// Start a process inside the container. Returns error if process fails to
@@ -124,21 +120,32 @@ type BaseContainer interface {
 	// ContainerDestroyed - Container no longer exists,
 	// ConfigInvalid - config is invalid,
 	// ContainerPaused - Container is paused,
-	// Systemerror - System error.
+	// SystemError - System error.
 	Start(process *Process) (err error)
 
+	// Run immediatly starts the process inside the conatiner.  Returns error if process
+	// fails to start.  It does not block waiting for a SIGCONT after start returns but
+	// sends the signal when the process has completed.
+	//
+	// errors:
+	// ContainerDestroyed - Container no longer exists,
+	// ConfigInvalid - config is invalid,
+	// ContainerPaused - Container is paused,
+	// SystemError - System error.
+	Run(process *Process) (err error)
+
 	// Destroys the container after killing all running processes.
 	//
 	// Any event registrations are removed before the container is destroyed.
 	// No error is returned if the container is already destroyed.
 	//
 	// errors:
-	// Systemerror - System error.
+	// SystemError - System error.
 	Destroy() error
 
 	// Signal sends the provided signal code to the container's initial process.
 	//
 	// errors:
-	// Systemerror - System error.
+	// SystemError - System error.
 	Signal(s os.Signal) error
 }
diff --git a/libcontainer/container_linux.go b/libcontainer/container_linux.go
index 082e6c4ab..31a51c4f4 100644
--- a/libcontainer/container_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/container_linux.go
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ import (
 
 const stdioFdCount = 3
 
+// InitContinueSignal is used to signal the container init process to
+// start the users specified process after the container create has finished.
+const InitContinueSignal = syscall.SIGCONT
+
 type linuxContainer struct {
 	id            string
 	root          string
@@ -181,8 +185,28 @@ func (c *linuxContainer) Start(process *Process) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	doInit := status == Destroyed
-	parent, err := c.newParentProcess(process, doInit)
+	return c.start(process, status == Stopped)
+}
+
+func (c *linuxContainer) Run(process *Process) error {
+	c.m.Lock()
+	defer c.m.Unlock()
+	status, err := c.currentStatus()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	isInit := status == Stopped
+	if err := c.start(process, isInit); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if isInit {
+		return process.ops.signal(InitContinueSignal)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (c *linuxContainer) start(process *Process, isInit bool) error {
+	parent, err := c.newParentProcess(process, isInit)
 	if err != nil {
 		return newSystemErrorWithCause(err, "creating new parent process")
 	}
@@ -195,11 +219,13 @@ func (c *linuxContainer) Start(process *Process) error {
 	}
 	// generate a timestamp indicating when the container was started
 	c.created = time.Now().UTC()
-
 	c.state = &runningState{
 		c: c,
 	}
-	if doInit {
+	if isInit {
+		c.state = &createdState{
+			c: c,
+		}
 		if err := c.updateState(parent); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -371,15 +397,16 @@ func (c *linuxContainer) Pause() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if status != Running {
-		return newGenericError(fmt.Errorf("container not running"), ContainerNotRunning)
+	switch status {
+	case Running, Created:
+		if err := c.cgroupManager.Freeze(configs.Frozen); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return c.state.transition(&pausedState{
+			c: c,
+		})
 	}
-	if err := c.cgroupManager.Freeze(configs.Frozen); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	return c.state.transition(&pausedState{
-		c: c,
-	})
+	return newGenericError(fmt.Errorf("container not running: %s", status), ContainerNotRunning)
 }
 
 func (c *linuxContainer) Resume() error {
@@ -1034,31 +1061,45 @@ func (c *linuxContainer) refreshState() error {
 	if paused {
 		return c.state.transition(&pausedState{c: c})
 	}
-	running, err := c.isRunning()
+	t, err := c.runType()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if running {
+	switch t {
+	case Created:
+		return c.state.transition(&createdState{c: c})
+	case Running:
 		return c.state.transition(&runningState{c: c})
 	}
 	return c.state.transition(&stoppedState{c: c})
 }
 
-func (c *linuxContainer) isRunning() (bool, error) {
+func (c *linuxContainer) runType() (Status, error) {
 	if c.initProcess == nil {
-		return false, nil
+		return Stopped, nil
 	}
+	pid := c.initProcess.pid()
 	// return Running if the init process is alive
-	if err := syscall.Kill(c.initProcess.pid(), 0); err != nil {
+	if err := syscall.Kill(pid, 0); err != nil {
 		if err == syscall.ESRCH {
 			// It means the process does not exist anymore, could happen when the
 			// process exited just when we call the function, we should not return
 			// error in this case.
-			return false, nil
+			return Stopped, nil
 		}
-		return false, newSystemErrorWithCausef(err, "sending signal 0 to pid %d", c.initProcess.pid())
+		return Stopped, newSystemErrorWithCausef(err, "sending signal 0 to pid %d", pid)
 	}
-	return true, nil
+	// check if the process that is running is the init process or the user's process.
+	// this is the difference between the container Running and Created.
+	environ, err := ioutil.ReadFile(fmt.Sprintf("/proc/%d/environ", pid))
+	if err != nil {
+		return Stopped, newSystemErrorWithCausef(err, "reading /proc/%d/environ", pid)
+	}
+	check := []byte("_LIBCONTAINER")
+	if bytes.Contains(environ, check) {
+		return Created, nil
+	}
+	return Running, nil
 }
 
 func (c *linuxContainer) isPaused() (bool, error) {
diff --git a/libcontainer/factory_linux.go b/libcontainer/factory_linux.go
index d58c5a559..1ac06fb0d 100644
--- a/libcontainer/factory_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/factory_linux.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
+	"os/signal"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"regexp"
 	"runtime/debug"
@@ -205,7 +206,7 @@ func (l *LinuxFactory) Load(id string) (Container, error) {
 		root:          containerRoot,
 		created:       state.Created,
 	}
-	c.state = &createdState{c: c, s: Created}
+	c.state = &loadedState{c: c}
 	if err := c.refreshState(); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -219,6 +220,9 @@ func (l *LinuxFactory) Type() string {
 // StartInitialization loads a container by opening the pipe fd from the parent to read the configuration and state
 // This is a low level implementation detail of the reexec and should not be consumed externally
 func (l *LinuxFactory) StartInitialization() (err error) {
+	// start the signal handler as soon as we can
+	s := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+	signal.Notify(s, InitContinueSignal)
 	fdStr := os.Getenv("_LIBCONTAINER_INITPIPE")
 	pipefd, err := strconv.Atoi(fdStr)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -260,7 +264,7 @@ func (l *LinuxFactory) StartInitialization() (err error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	return i.Init()
+	return i.Init(s)
 }
 
 func (l *LinuxFactory) loadState(root string) (*State, error) {
diff --git a/libcontainer/init_linux.go b/libcontainer/init_linux.go
index 0bde656e2..8e345f0c4 100644
--- a/libcontainer/init_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/init_linux.go
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ type initConfig struct {
 }
 
 type initer interface {
-	Init() error
+	Init(s chan os.Signal) error
 }
 
 func newContainerInit(t initType, pipe *os.File) (initer, error) {
diff --git a/libcontainer/integration/checkpoint_test.go b/libcontainer/integration/checkpoint_test.go
index a71c172a3..7c5746b48 100644
--- a/libcontainer/integration/checkpoint_test.go
+++ b/libcontainer/integration/checkpoint_test.go
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func TestCheckpoint(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdout: &stdout,
 	}
 
-	err = container.Start(&pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(&pconfig)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/libcontainer/integration/exec_test.go b/libcontainer/integration/exec_test.go
index 45c64128a..6d2db4c72 100644
--- a/libcontainer/integration/exec_test.go
+++ b/libcontainer/integration/exec_test.go
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ func TestEnter(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin:  stdinR,
 		Stdout: &stdout,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(&pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(&pconfig)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ func TestEnter(t *testing.T) {
 	pconfig2.Stdin = stdinR2
 	pconfig2.Stdout = &stdout2
 
-	err = container.Start(&pconfig2)
+	err = container.Run(&pconfig2)
 	stdinR2.Close()
 	defer stdinW2.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ func TestProcessEnv(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin:  nil,
 		Stdout: &stdout,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(&pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(&pconfig)
 	ok(t, err)
 
 	// Wait for process
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ func TestProcessCaps(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin:        nil,
 		Stdout:       &stdout,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(&pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(&pconfig)
 	ok(t, err)
 
 	// Wait for process
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ func TestAdditionalGroups(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin:  nil,
 		Stdout: &stdout,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(&pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(&pconfig)
 	ok(t, err)
 
 	// Wait for process
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ func testFreeze(t *testing.T, systemd bool) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(pconfig)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -719,7 +719,7 @@ func TestContainerState(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(p)
+	err = container.Run(p)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -772,7 +772,7 @@ func TestPassExtraFiles(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin:      nil,
 		Stdout:     &stdout,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(&process)
+	err = container.Run(&process)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@ func TestMountCmds(t *testing.T) {
 		Args: []string{"sh", "-c", "env"},
 		Env:  standardEnvironment,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(&pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(&pconfig)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -902,7 +902,7 @@ func TestSysctl(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin:  nil,
 		Stdout: &stdout,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(&pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(&pconfig)
 	ok(t, err)
 
 	// Wait for process
@@ -1042,7 +1042,7 @@ func TestOomScoreAdj(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin:  nil,
 		Stdout: &stdout,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(&pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(&pconfig)
 	ok(t, err)
 
 	// Wait for process
@@ -1114,7 +1114,7 @@ func TestHook(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin:  nil,
 		Stdout: &stdout,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(&pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(&pconfig)
 	ok(t, err)
 
 	// Wait for process
@@ -1231,7 +1231,7 @@ func TestRootfsPropagationSlaveMount(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
 
-	err = container.Start(pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(pconfig)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -1260,7 +1260,7 @@ func TestRootfsPropagationSlaveMount(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdout: &stdout2,
 	}
 
-	err = container.Start(pconfig2)
+	err = container.Run(pconfig2)
 	stdinR2.Close()
 	defer stdinW2.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -1348,7 +1348,7 @@ func TestRootfsPropagationSharedMount(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
 
-	err = container.Start(pconfig)
+	err = container.Run(pconfig)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -1380,7 +1380,7 @@ func TestRootfsPropagationSharedMount(t *testing.T) {
 		Capabilities: processCaps,
 	}
 
-	err = container.Start(pconfig2)
+	err = container.Run(pconfig2)
 	stdinR2.Close()
 	defer stdinW2.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -1452,7 +1452,7 @@ func TestInitJoinPID(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR1,
 	}
-	err = container1.Start(init1)
+	err = container1.Run(init1)
 	stdinR1.Close()
 	defer stdinW1.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -1462,7 +1462,7 @@ func TestInitJoinPID(t *testing.T) {
 	ok(t, err)
 	pidns1 := state1.NamespacePaths[configs.NEWPID]
 
-	// Start a container inside the existing pidns but with different cgroups
+	// Run a container inside the existing pidns but with different cgroups
 	config2 := newTemplateConfig(rootfs)
 	config2.Namespaces.Add(configs.NEWPID, pidns1)
 	config2.Cgroups.Path = "integration/test2"
@@ -1478,7 +1478,7 @@ func TestInitJoinPID(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR2,
 	}
-	err = container2.Start(init2)
+	err = container2.Run(init2)
 	stdinR2.Close()
 	defer stdinW2.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -1508,7 +1508,7 @@ func TestInitJoinPID(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:    standardEnvironment,
 		Stdout: buffers.Stdout,
 	}
-	err = container1.Start(ps)
+	err = container1.Run(ps)
 	ok(t, err)
 	waitProcess(ps, t)
 
@@ -1557,7 +1557,7 @@ func TestInitJoinNetworkAndUser(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR1,
 	}
-	err = container1.Start(init1)
+	err = container1.Run(init1)
 	stdinR1.Close()
 	defer stdinW1.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -1568,7 +1568,7 @@ func TestInitJoinNetworkAndUser(t *testing.T) {
 	netns1 := state1.NamespacePaths[configs.NEWNET]
 	userns1 := state1.NamespacePaths[configs.NEWUSER]
 
-	// Start a container inside the existing pidns but with different cgroups
+	// Run a container inside the existing pidns but with different cgroups
 	rootfs2, err := newRootfs()
 	ok(t, err)
 	defer remove(rootfs2)
@@ -1591,7 +1591,7 @@ func TestInitJoinNetworkAndUser(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR2,
 	}
-	err = container2.Start(init2)
+	err = container2.Run(init2)
 	stdinR2.Close()
 	defer stdinW2.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
diff --git a/libcontainer/integration/execin_test.go b/libcontainer/integration/execin_test.go
index cd101cc28..2568aaa26 100644
--- a/libcontainer/integration/execin_test.go
+++ b/libcontainer/integration/execin_test.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func TestExecIn(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(process)
+	err = container.Run(process)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func TestExecIn(t *testing.T) {
 		Stderr: buffers.Stderr,
 	}
 
-	err = container.Start(ps)
+	err = container.Run(ps)
 	ok(t, err)
 	waitProcess(ps, t)
 	stdinW.Close()
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func testExecInRlimit(t *testing.T, userns bool) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(process)
+	err = container.Run(process)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ func testExecInRlimit(t *testing.T, userns bool) {
 			{Type: syscall.RLIMIT_NOFILE, Hard: 1026, Soft: 1026},
 		},
 	}
-	err = container.Start(ps)
+	err = container.Run(ps)
 	ok(t, err)
 	waitProcess(ps, t)
 
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ func TestExecInError(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(process)
+	err = container.Run(process)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer func() {
 		stdinW.Close()
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ func TestExecInError(t *testing.T) {
 			Env:    standardEnvironment,
 			Stdout: &out,
 		}
-		err = container.Start(unexistent)
+		err = container.Run(unexistent)
 		if err == nil {
 			t.Fatal("Should be an error")
 		}
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ func TestExecInTTY(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(process)
+	err = container.Run(process)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ func TestExecInTTY(t *testing.T) {
 		close(copy)
 	}()
 	ok(t, err)
-	err = container.Start(ps)
+	err = container.Run(ps)
 	ok(t, err)
 	select {
 	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ func TestExecInEnvironment(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(process)
+	err = container.Run(process)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ func TestExecInEnvironment(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdout: buffers.Stdout,
 		Stderr: buffers.Stderr,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(process2)
+	err = container.Run(process2)
 	ok(t, err)
 	waitProcess(process2, t)
 
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ func TestExecinPassExtraFiles(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(process)
+	err = container.Run(process)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ func TestExecinPassExtraFiles(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdin:      nil,
 		Stdout:     &stdout,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(inprocess)
+	err = container.Run(inprocess)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ func TestExecInOomScoreAdj(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(process)
+	err = container.Run(process)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ func TestExecInOomScoreAdj(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdout: buffers.Stdout,
 		Stderr: buffers.Stderr,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(ps)
+	err = container.Run(ps)
 	ok(t, err)
 	waitProcess(ps, t)
 
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ func TestExecInUserns(t *testing.T) {
 		Env:   standardEnvironment,
 		Stdin: stdinR,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(process)
+	err = container.Run(process)
 	stdinR.Close()
 	defer stdinW.Close()
 	ok(t, err)
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ func TestExecInUserns(t *testing.T) {
 		Stdout: buffers.Stdout,
 		Stderr: os.Stderr,
 	}
-	err = container.Start(process2)
+	err = container.Run(process2)
 	ok(t, err)
 	waitProcess(process2, t)
 	stdinW.Close()
diff --git a/libcontainer/integration/seccomp_test.go b/libcontainer/integration/seccomp_test.go
index 820773e64..95868d01c 100644
--- a/libcontainer/integration/seccomp_test.go
+++ b/libcontainer/integration/seccomp_test.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func TestSeccompDenyGetcwd(t *testing.T) {
 		Stderr: buffers.Stderr,
 	}
 
-	err = container.Start(pwd)
+	err = container.Run(pwd)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ func TestSeccompPermitWriteConditional(t *testing.T) {
 		Stderr: buffers.Stderr,
 	}
 
-	err = container.Start(dmesg)
+	err = container.Run(dmesg)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ func TestSeccompDenyWriteConditional(t *testing.T) {
 		Stderr: buffers.Stderr,
 	}
 
-	err = container.Start(dmesg)
+	err = container.Run(dmesg)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/libcontainer/integration/template_test.go b/libcontainer/integration/template_test.go
index f54a849ac..961656840 100644
--- a/libcontainer/integration/template_test.go
+++ b/libcontainer/integration/template_test.go
@@ -89,12 +89,15 @@ func newTemplateConfig(rootfs string) *configs.Config {
 				Data:        "mode=1777,size=65536k",
 				Flags:       defaultMountFlags,
 			},
-			{
-				Source:      "mqueue",
-				Destination: "/dev/mqueue",
-				Device:      "mqueue",
-				Flags:       defaultMountFlags,
-			},
+			/*
+				            CI is broken on the debian based kernels with this
+							{
+								Source:      "mqueue",
+								Destination: "/dev/mqueue",
+								Device:      "mqueue",
+								Flags:       defaultMountFlags,
+							},
+			*/
 			{
 				Source:      "sysfs",
 				Destination: "/sys",
diff --git a/libcontainer/integration/utils_test.go b/libcontainer/integration/utils_test.go
index e2ca10e00..04532f662 100644
--- a/libcontainer/integration/utils_test.go
+++ b/libcontainer/integration/utils_test.go
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ func runContainer(config *configs.Config, console string, args ...string) (buffe
 		Stderr: buffers.Stderr,
 	}
 
-	err = container.Start(process)
+	err = container.Run(process)
 	if err != nil {
 		return buffers, -1, err
 	}
diff --git a/libcontainer/process_linux.go b/libcontainer/process_linux.go
index 3a34b130a..fc0c4fd29 100644
--- a/libcontainer/process_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/process_linux.go
@@ -221,6 +221,7 @@ func (p *initProcess) execSetns() error {
 		return err
 	}
 	p.cmd.Process = process
+	p.process.ops = p
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/libcontainer/setns_init_linux.go b/libcontainer/setns_init_linux.go
index 825931a6f..f1aa330dd 100644
--- a/libcontainer/setns_init_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/setns_init_linux.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ package libcontainer
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
+	"os/signal"
 
 	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer/apparmor"
 	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer/keys"
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ func (l *linuxSetnsInit) getSessionRingName() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("_ses.%s", l.config.ContainerId)
 }
 
-func (l *linuxSetnsInit) Init() error {
+func (l *linuxSetnsInit) Init(s chan os.Signal) error {
 	// do not inherit the parent's session keyring
 	if _, err := keyctl.JoinSessionKeyring(l.getSessionRingName()); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -47,5 +48,7 @@ func (l *linuxSetnsInit) Init() error {
 	if err := label.SetProcessLabel(l.config.ProcessLabel); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	signal.Stop(s)
+	close(s)
 	return system.Execv(l.config.Args[0], l.config.Args[0:], os.Environ())
 }
diff --git a/libcontainer/standard_init_linux.go b/libcontainer/standard_init_linux.go
index 5809b4de1..a319ea844 100644
--- a/libcontainer/standard_init_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/standard_init_linux.go
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"os/signal"
 	"syscall"
 
 	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer/apparmor"
@@ -17,7 +19,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 type linuxStandardInit struct {
-	pipe      io.ReadWriter
+	pipe      io.ReadWriteCloser
 	parentPid int
 	config    *initConfig
 }
@@ -42,7 +44,7 @@ func (l *linuxStandardInit) getSessionRingParams() (string, uint32, uint32) {
 // the kernel
 const PR_SET_NO_NEW_PRIVS = 0x26
 
-func (l *linuxStandardInit) Init() error {
+func (l *linuxStandardInit) Init(s chan os.Signal) error {
 	ringname, keepperms, newperms := l.getSessionRingParams()
 
 	// do not inherit the parent's session keyring
@@ -150,6 +152,18 @@ func (l *linuxStandardInit) Init() error {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
-
-	return system.Execv(l.config.Args[0], l.config.Args[0:], os.Environ())
+	// check for the arg before waiting to make sure it exists and it is returned
+	// as a create time error
+	name, err := exec.LookPath(l.config.Args[0])
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	// close the pipe to signal that we have completed our init
+	l.pipe.Close()
+	// wait for the signal to exec the users process
+	<-s
+	// clean up the signal handler
+	signal.Stop(s)
+	close(s)
+	return syscall.Exec(name, l.config.Args[0:], os.Environ())
 }
diff --git a/libcontainer/state_linux.go b/libcontainer/state_linux.go
index d2618f69b..b98600745 100644
--- a/libcontainer/state_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/state_linux.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"syscall"
 
 	"github.com/Sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer/configs"
@@ -77,7 +78,7 @@ type stoppedState struct {
 }
 
 func (b *stoppedState) status() Status {
-	return Destroyed
+	return Stopped
 }
 
 func (b *stoppedState) transition(s containerState) error {
@@ -110,11 +111,11 @@ func (r *runningState) status() Status {
 func (r *runningState) transition(s containerState) error {
 	switch s.(type) {
 	case *stoppedState:
-		running, err := r.c.isRunning()
+		t, err := r.c.runType()
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		if running {
+		if t == Running {
 			return newGenericError(fmt.Errorf("container still running"), ContainerNotStopped)
 		}
 		r.c.state = s
@@ -129,16 +130,40 @@ func (r *runningState) transition(s containerState) error {
 }
 
 func (r *runningState) destroy() error {
-	running, err := r.c.isRunning()
+	t, err := r.c.runType()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if running {
+	if t == Running {
 		return newGenericError(fmt.Errorf("container is not destroyed"), ContainerNotStopped)
 	}
 	return destroy(r.c)
 }
 
+type createdState struct {
+	c *linuxContainer
+}
+
+func (i *createdState) status() Status {
+	return Created
+}
+
+func (i *createdState) transition(s containerState) error {
+	switch s.(type) {
+	case *runningState, *pausedState, *stoppedState:
+		i.c.state = s
+		return nil
+	case *createdState:
+		return nil
+	}
+	return newStateTransitionError(i, s)
+}
+
+func (i *createdState) destroy() error {
+	i.c.initProcess.signal(syscall.SIGKILL)
+	return destroy(i.c)
+}
+
 // pausedState represents a container that is currently pause.  It cannot be destroyed in a
 // paused state and must transition back to running first.
 type pausedState struct {
@@ -161,11 +186,11 @@ func (p *pausedState) transition(s containerState) error {
 }
 
 func (p *pausedState) destroy() error {
-	isRunning, err := p.c.isRunning()
+	t, err := p.c.runType()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if !isRunning {
+	if t != Running && t != Created {
 		if err := p.c.cgroupManager.Freeze(configs.Thawed); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -204,23 +229,23 @@ func (r *restoredState) destroy() error {
 	return destroy(r.c)
 }
 
-// createdState is used whenever a container is restored, loaded, or setting additional
+// loadedState is used whenever a container is restored, loaded, or setting additional
 // processes inside and it should not be destroyed when it is exiting.
-type createdState struct {
+type loadedState struct {
 	c *linuxContainer
 	s Status
 }
 
-func (n *createdState) status() Status {
+func (n *loadedState) status() Status {
 	return n.s
 }
 
-func (n *createdState) transition(s containerState) error {
+func (n *loadedState) transition(s containerState) error {
 	n.c.state = s
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (n *createdState) destroy() error {
+func (n *loadedState) destroy() error {
 	if err := n.c.refreshState(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/libcontainer/state_linux_test.go b/libcontainer/state_linux_test.go
index 417d9c22e..cadacbe07 100644
--- a/libcontainer/state_linux_test.go
+++ b/libcontainer/state_linux_test.go
@@ -6,10 +6,11 @@ import "testing"
 
 func TestStateStatus(t *testing.T) {
 	states := map[containerState]Status{
-		&stoppedState{}:  Destroyed,
+		&stoppedState{}:  Stopped,
 		&runningState{}:  Running,
 		&restoredState{}: Running,
 		&pausedState{}:   Paused,
+		&createdState{}:  Created,
 	}
 	for s, status := range states {
 		if s.status() != status {
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 73b98cd84..f7a0243f0 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ func main() {
 	}
 	app.Commands = []cli.Command{
 		checkpointCommand,
+		createCommand,
 		deleteCommand,
 		eventsCommand,
 		execCommand,
@@ -101,6 +102,7 @@ func main() {
 		psCommand,
 		restoreCommand,
 		resumeCommand,
+		runCommand,
 		specCommand,
 		startCommand,
 		stateCommand,
diff --git a/main_unix.go b/main_unix.go
index 7bbec9fa8..da14caba3 100644
--- a/main_unix.go
+++ b/main_unix.go
@@ -2,4 +2,32 @@
 
 package main
 
-import _ "github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer/nsenter"
+import (
+	"os"
+	"runtime"
+
+	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
+	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer"
+	_ "github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer/nsenter"
+)
+
+func init() {
+	if len(os.Args) > 1 && os.Args[1] == "init" {
+		runtime.GOMAXPROCS(1)
+		runtime.LockOSThread()
+	}
+}
+
+var initCommand = cli.Command{
+	Name:  "init",
+	Usage: `initialize the namespaces and launch the process (do not call it outside of runc)`,
+	Action: func(context *cli.Context) {
+		factory, _ := libcontainer.New("")
+		if err := factory.StartInitialization(); err != nil {
+			// as the error is sent back to the parent there is no need to log
+			// or write it to stderr because the parent process will handle this
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		panic("libcontainer: container init failed to exec")
+	},
+}
diff --git a/run.go b/run.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b69fcfa74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/run.go
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+// +build linux
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"os"
+
+	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
+)
+
+// default action is to start a container
+var runCommand = cli.Command{
+	Name:  "run",
+	Usage: "create and run a container",
+	ArgsUsage: `<container-id>
+
+Where "<container-id>" is your name for the instance of the container that you
+are starting. The name you provide for the container instance must be unique on
+your host.`,
+	Description: `The run command creates an instance of a container for a bundle. The bundle
+is a directory with a specification file named "` + specConfig + `" and a root
+filesystem.
+
+The specification file includes an args parameter. The args parameter is used
+to specify command(s) that get run when the container is started. To change the
+command(s) that get executed on start, edit the args parameter of the spec. See
+"runc spec --help" for more explanation.`,
+	Flags: []cli.Flag{
+		cli.StringFlag{
+			Name:  "bundle, b",
+			Value: "",
+			Usage: `path to the root of the bundle directory, defaults to the current directory`,
+		},
+		cli.StringFlag{
+			Name:  "console",
+			Value: "",
+			Usage: "specify the pty slave path for use with the container",
+		},
+		cli.BoolFlag{
+			Name:  "detach, d",
+			Usage: "detach from the container's process",
+		},
+		cli.StringFlag{
+			Name:  "pid-file",
+			Value: "",
+			Usage: "specify the file to write the process id to",
+		},
+		cli.BoolFlag{
+			Name:  "no-subreaper",
+			Usage: "disable the use of the subreaper used to reap reparented processes",
+		},
+		cli.BoolFlag{
+			Name:  "no-pivot",
+			Usage: "do not use pivot root to jail process inside rootfs.  This should be used whenever the rootfs is on top of a ramdisk",
+		},
+	},
+	Action: func(context *cli.Context) error {
+		spec, err := setupSpec(context)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		status, err := startContainer(context, spec, false)
+		if err == nil {
+			// exit with the container's exit status so any external supervisor is
+			// notified of the exit with the correct exit status.
+			os.Exit(status)
+		}
+		return err
+	},
+}
diff --git a/script/test_Dockerfile b/script/test_Dockerfile
index 6a173b980..2b1db320a 100644
--- a/script/test_Dockerfile
+++ b/script/test_Dockerfile
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-FROM golang:1.5.3
+FROM golang:1.6.2
 
 # libseccomp in jessie is not _quite_ new enough -- need backports version
 RUN echo 'deb http://httpredir.debian.org/debian jessie-backports main' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/backports.list
diff --git a/start.go b/start.go
index cf9392c2f..45b39147a 100644
--- a/start.go
+++ b/start.go
@@ -1,139 +1,39 @@
-// +build linux
-
 package main
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"os"
-	"runtime"
 
 	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
-	"github.com/coreos/go-systemd/activation"
 	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer"
-	"github.com/opencontainers/runtime-spec/specs-go"
 )
 
-// default action is to start a container
 var startCommand = cli.Command{
 	Name:  "start",
-	Usage: "create and run a container",
+	Usage: "start signals a created container to execute the user defined process",
 	ArgsUsage: `<container-id>
 
 Where "<container-id>" is your name for the instance of the container that you
 are starting. The name you provide for the container instance must be unique on
 your host.`,
-	Description: `The start command creates an instance of a container for a bundle. The bundle
-is a directory with a specification file named "` + specConfig + `" and a root
-filesystem.
-
-The specification file includes an args parameter. The args parameter is used
-to specify command(s) that get run when the container is started. To change the
-command(s) that get executed on start, edit the args parameter of the spec. See
-"runc spec --help" for more explanation.`,
-	Flags: []cli.Flag{
-		cli.StringFlag{
-			Name:  "bundle, b",
-			Value: "",
-			Usage: `path to the root of the bundle directory, defaults to the current directory`,
-		},
-		cli.StringFlag{
-			Name:  "console",
-			Value: "",
-			Usage: "specify the pty slave path for use with the container",
-		},
-		cli.BoolFlag{
-			Name:  "detach,d",
-			Usage: "detach from the container's process",
-		},
-		cli.StringFlag{
-			Name:  "pid-file",
-			Value: "",
-			Usage: "specify the file to write the process id to",
-		},
-		cli.BoolFlag{
-			Name:  "no-subreaper",
-			Usage: "disable the use of the subreaper used to reap reparented processes",
-		},
-		cli.BoolFlag{
-			Name:  "no-pivot",
-			Usage: "do not use pivot root to jail process inside rootfs.  This should be used whenever the rootfs is on top of a ramdisk",
-		},
-	},
+	Description: `The start command signals the container to start the user's defined process.`,
 	Action: func(context *cli.Context) error {
-		bundle := context.String("bundle")
-		if bundle != "" {
-			if err := os.Chdir(bundle); err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-		}
-		spec, err := loadSpec(specConfig)
+		container, err := getContainer(context)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-
-		notifySocket := os.Getenv("NOTIFY_SOCKET")
-		if notifySocket != "" {
-			setupSdNotify(spec, notifySocket)
+		status, err := container.Status()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
 		}
-
-		if os.Geteuid() != 0 {
-			return fmt.Errorf("runc should be run as root")
+		switch status {
+		case libcontainer.Created:
+			return container.Signal(libcontainer.InitContinueSignal)
+		case libcontainer.Stopped:
+			return fmt.Errorf("cannot start a container that has run and stopped")
+		case libcontainer.Running:
+			return fmt.Errorf("cannot start an already running container")
+		default:
+			return fmt.Errorf("cannot start a container in the %s state", status)
 		}
-
-		status, err := startContainer(context, spec)
-		if err == nil {
-			// exit with the container's exit status so any external supervisor is
-			// notified of the exit with the correct exit status.
-			os.Exit(status)
-		}
-		return err
 	},
 }
-
-func init() {
-	if len(os.Args) > 1 && os.Args[1] == "init" {
-		runtime.GOMAXPROCS(1)
-		runtime.LockOSThread()
-	}
-}
-
-var initCommand = cli.Command{
-	Name:  "init",
-	Usage: `initialize the namespaces and launch the process (do not call it outside of runc)`,
-	Action: func(context *cli.Context) error {
-		factory, _ := libcontainer.New("")
-		if err := factory.StartInitialization(); err != nil {
-			// as the error is sent back to the parent there is no need to log
-			// or write it to stderr because the parent process will handle this
-			os.Exit(1)
-		}
-		panic("libcontainer: container init failed to exec")
-	},
-}
-
-func startContainer(context *cli.Context, spec *specs.Spec) (int, error) {
-	id := context.Args().First()
-	if id == "" {
-		return -1, errEmptyID
-	}
-	container, err := createContainer(context, id, spec)
-	if err != nil {
-		return -1, err
-	}
-	detach := context.Bool("detach")
-	// Support on-demand socket activation by passing file descriptors into the container init process.
-	listenFDs := []*os.File{}
-	if os.Getenv("LISTEN_FDS") != "" {
-		listenFDs = activation.Files(false)
-	}
-	r := &runner{
-		enableSubreaper: !context.Bool("no-subreaper"),
-		shouldDestroy:   true,
-		container:       container,
-		listenFDs:       listenFDs,
-		console:         context.String("console"),
-		detach:          detach,
-		pidFile:         context.String("pid-file"),
-	}
-	return r.run(&spec.Process)
-}
diff --git a/tests/integration/cgroups.bats b/tests/integration/cgroups.bats
index 0f98514fb..c415d5da6 100644
--- a/tests/integration/cgroups.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/cgroups.bats
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ EOF
     DATA=$(echo ${DATA} | sed 's/\n/\\n/g')
     sed -i "s/\(\"resources\": {\)/\1\n${DATA}/" ${BUSYBOX_BUNDLE}/config.json
 
-    # start a detached busybox to work with
-    runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_cgroups_kmem
+    # run a detached busybox to work with
+    runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_cgroups_kmem
     [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
     wait_for_container 15 1 test_cgroups_kmem
 
@@ -64,8 +64,8 @@ EOF
     # Add cgroup path
     sed -i 's/\("linux": {\)/\1\n    "cgroupsPath": "runc-cgroups-integration-test",/'  ${BUSYBOX_BUNDLE}/config.json
 
-    # start a detached busybox to work with
-    runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_cgroups_kmem
+    # run a detached busybox to work with
+    runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_cgroups_kmem
     [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
     wait_for_container 15 1 test_cgroups_kmem
 
diff --git a/tests/integration/checkpoint.bats b/tests/integration/checkpoint.bats
index 97194d033..4a3693963 100644
--- a/tests/integration/checkpoint.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/checkpoint.bats
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ function teardown() {
   sed -i 's/"sh"/"sh","-c","while :; do date; sleep 1; done"/' config.json
 
   (
-    # start busybox (not detached)
-    runc start test_busybox
+    # run busybox (not detached)
+    runc run test_busybox
     [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
   ) &
 
diff --git a/tests/integration/create.bats b/tests/integration/create.bats
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0b6d91b7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/integration/create.bats
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bats
+
+load helpers
+
+function setup() {
+  teardown_busybox
+  setup_busybox
+}
+
+function teardown() {
+  teardown_busybox
+}
+
+@test "runc create" {
+  runc create --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+
+  testcontainer test_busybox created
+
+  # start the command
+  runc start test_busybox
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+
+  testcontainer test_busybox running
+}
+
+@test "runc create exec" {
+  runc create --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+
+  testcontainer test_busybox created
+
+  runc exec test_busybox true
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+
+  # start the command
+  runc start test_busybox
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+
+  testcontainer test_busybox running
+}
diff --git a/tests/integration/debug.bats b/tests/integration/debug.bats
index 5473b4b64..971bc7e1f 100644
--- a/tests/integration/debug.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/debug.bats
@@ -12,15 +12,15 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "global --debug" {
-  # start hello-world
-  runc --debug start test_hello
+  # run hello-world
+  runc --debug run test_hello
   echo "${output}"
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 }
 
 @test "global --debug to --log" {
-  # start hello-world
-  runc --log log.out --debug start test_hello
+  # run hello-world
+  runc --log log.out --debug run test_hello
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check output does not include debug info
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "global --debug to --log --log-format 'text'" {
-  # start hello-world
-  runc --log log.out --log-format "text" --debug start test_hello
+  # run hello-world
+  runc --log log.out --log-format "text" --debug run test_hello
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check output does not include debug info
@@ -53,8 +53,8 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "global --debug to --log --log-format 'json'" {
-  # start hello-world
-  runc --log log.out --log-format "json" --debug start test_hello
+  # run hello-world
+  runc --log log.out --log-format "json" --debug run test_hello
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check output does not include debug info
diff --git a/tests/integration/delete.bats b/tests/integration/delete.bats
index ec102b79c..89a60ebcb 100644
--- a/tests/integration/delete.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/delete.bats
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "runc delete" {
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check state
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ function teardown() {
 
   runc kill test_busybox KILL
   # wait for busybox to be in the destroyed state
-  retry 10 1 eval "__runc state test_busybox | grep -q 'destroyed'"
+  retry 10 1 eval "__runc state test_busybox | grep -q 'stopped'"
 
   # delete test_busybox
   runc delete test_busybox
diff --git a/tests/integration/events.bats b/tests/integration/events.bats
index 81d245c93..18855d5e7 100644
--- a/tests/integration/events.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/events.bats
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "events --stats" {
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check state
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "events --interval default " {
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check state
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "events --interval 1s " {
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check state
@@ -80,8 +80,8 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "events --interval 100ms " {
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check state
diff --git a/tests/integration/exec.bats b/tests/integration/exec.bats
index a7fa9c549..4754da272 100644
--- a/tests/integration/exec.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/exec.bats
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "runc exec" {
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   wait_for_container 15 1 test_busybox
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "runc exec --pid-file" {
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   wait_for_container 15 1 test_busybox
diff --git a/tests/integration/help.bats b/tests/integration/help.bats
index d7d873b35..61a62d8be 100644
--- a/tests/integration/help.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/help.bats
@@ -64,7 +64,11 @@ load helpers
   runc start -h
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
   [[ ${lines[1]} =~ runc\ start+ ]]
-
+  
+  runc run -h
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+  [[ ${lines[1]} =~ runc\ run+ ]]
+  
   runc state -h
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
   [[ ${lines[1]} =~ runc\ state+ ]]
diff --git a/tests/integration/helpers.bash b/tests/integration/helpers.bash
index c2678890a..e61ad3011 100644
--- a/tests/integration/helpers.bash
+++ b/tests/integration/helpers.bash
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ function teardown_running_container() {
   runc list
   if [[ "${output}" == *"$1"* ]]; then
     runc kill $1 KILL
-    retry 10 1 eval "__runc state '$1' | grep -q 'destroyed'"
+    retry 10 1 eval "__runc state '$1' | grep -q 'stopped'"
     runc delete $1
   fi
 }
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ function teardown_running_container_inroot() {
   ROOT=$2 runc list
   if [[ "${output}" == *"$1"* ]]; then
     ROOT=$2 runc kill $1 KILL
-    retry 10 1 eval "ROOT='$2' __runc state '$1' | grep -q 'destroyed'"
+    retry 10 1 eval "ROOT='$2' __runc state '$1' | grep -q 'stopped'"
     ROOT=$2 runc delete $1
   fi
 }
diff --git a/tests/integration/kill.bats b/tests/integration/kill.bats
index ccc035454..e0d89e947 100644
--- a/tests/integration/kill.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/kill.bats
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ function teardown() {
 
 @test "kill detached busybox" {
 
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check state
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ function teardown() {
   runc kill test_busybox KILL
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
-  retry 10 1 eval "__runc state test_busybox | grep -q 'destroyed'"
+  retry 10 1 eval "__runc state test_busybox | grep -q 'stopped'"
 
   runc delete test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
diff --git a/tests/integration/list.bats b/tests/integration/list.bats
index 4caff04b1..c63a9aa45 100644
--- a/tests/integration/list.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/list.bats
@@ -18,16 +18,16 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "list" {
-  # start a few busyboxes detached
-  ROOT=$HELLO_BUNDLE runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_box1
+  # run a few busyboxes detached
+  ROOT=$HELLO_BUNDLE runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_box1
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
   wait_for_container_inroot 15 1 test_box1 $HELLO_BUNDLE
 
-  ROOT=$HELLO_BUNDLE runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_box2
+  ROOT=$HELLO_BUNDLE runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_box2
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
   wait_for_container_inroot 15 1 test_box2 $HELLO_BUNDLE
 
-  ROOT=$HELLO_BUNDLE runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_box3
+  ROOT=$HELLO_BUNDLE runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_box3
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
   wait_for_container_inroot 15 1 test_box3 $HELLO_BUNDLE
 
diff --git a/tests/integration/pause.bats b/tests/integration/pause.bats
index 94ad3fc0c..ed12f4a67 100644
--- a/tests/integration/pause.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/pause.bats
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "runc pause and resume" {
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   wait_for_container 15 1 test_busybox
diff --git a/tests/integration/root.bats b/tests/integration/root.bats
index 8ee79996b..a2cb377cb 100644
--- a/tests/integration/root.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/root.bats
@@ -14,12 +14,12 @@ function teardown() {
 }
 
 @test "global --root" {
-  # start busybox detached using $HELLO_BUNDLE for state
-  ROOT=$HELLO_BUNDLE runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_dotbox
+  # run busybox detached using $HELLO_BUNDLE for state
+  ROOT=$HELLO_BUNDLE runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_dotbox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
-  # start busybox detached in default root
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached in default root
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check state of the busyboxes are only in their respective root path
@@ -42,13 +42,13 @@ function teardown() {
 
   runc kill test_busybox KILL
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
-  retry 10 1 eval "__runc state test_busybox | grep -q 'destroyed'"
+  retry 10 1 eval "__runc state test_busybox | grep -q 'stopped'"
   runc delete test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   ROOT=$HELLO_BUNDLE runc kill test_dotbox KILL
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
-  retry 10 1 eval "ROOT='$HELLO_BUNDLE' __runc state test_dotbox | grep -q 'destroyed'"
+  retry 10 1 eval "ROOT='$HELLO_BUNDLE' __runc state test_dotbox | grep -q 'stopped'"
   ROOT=$HELLO_BUNDLE runc delete test_dotbox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 }
diff --git a/tests/integration/spec.bats b/tests/integration/spec.bats
index ef29710ad..c0c2537be 100644
--- a/tests/integration/spec.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/spec.bats
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ function teardown() {
   # change the default args parameter from sh to hello
   sed -i 's;"sh";"/hello";' config.json
 
-  # ensure the generated spec works by starting hello-world
-  runc start test_hello
+  # ensure the generated spec works by running hello-world
+  runc run test_hello
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 }
 
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@ function teardown() {
   # change the default args parameter from sh to hello
   sed -i 's;"sh";"/hello";' "$HELLO_BUNDLE"/config.json
 
-  # ensure the generated spec works by starting hello-world
-  runc start --bundle "$HELLO_BUNDLE" test_hello
+  # ensure the generated spec works by running hello-world
+  runc run --bundle "$HELLO_BUNDLE" test_hello
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/integration/start_detached.bats b/tests/integration/start_detached.bats
index c88fbae11..e9df8e8b6 100644
--- a/tests/integration/start_detached.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/start_detached.bats
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ function teardown() {
   teardown_busybox
 }
 
-@test "runc start detached" {
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+@test "runc run detached" {
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check state
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ function teardown() {
   testcontainer test_busybox running
 }
 
-@test "runc start detached --pid-file" {
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start --pid-file pid.txt -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+@test "runc run detached --pid-file" {
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run --pid-file pid.txt -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check state
diff --git a/tests/integration/start_hello.bats b/tests/integration/start_hello.bats
index bba517712..cddc2be35 100644
--- a/tests/integration/start_hello.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/start_hello.bats
@@ -11,30 +11,30 @@ function teardown() {
   teardown_hello
 }
 
-@test "runc start" {
-  # start hello-world
-  runc start test_hello
+@test "runc run" {
+  # run hello-world
+  runc run test_hello
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check expected output
   [[ "${output}" == *"Hello"* ]]
 }
 
-@test "runc start with rootfs set to ." {
+@test "runc run with rootfs set to ." {
   cp config.json rootfs/.
   rm config.json
   cd rootfs
   sed -i 's;"rootfs";".";' config.json
 
-  # start hello-world
-  runc start test_hello
+  # run hello-world
+  runc run test_hello
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
   [[ "${output}" == *"Hello"* ]]
 }
 
-@test "runc start --pid-file" {
-  # start hello-world
-  runc start --pid-file pid.txt test_hello
+@test "runc run --pid-file" {
+  # run hello-world
+  runc run --pid-file pid.txt test_hello
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
   [[ "${output}" == *"Hello"* ]]
 
diff --git a/tests/integration/state.bats b/tests/integration/state.bats
index 697bd4951..0073a2a39 100644
--- a/tests/integration/state.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/state.bats
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ function teardown() {
   runc state test_busybox
   [ "$status" -ne 0 ]
 
-  # start busybox detached
-  runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
+  # run busybox detached
+  runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_busybox
   [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
 
   # check state
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ function teardown() {
 
   runc kill test_busybox KILL
   # wait for busybox to be in the destroyed state
-  retry 10 1 eval "__runc state test_busybox | grep -q 'destroyed'"
+  retry 10 1 eval "__runc state test_busybox | grep -q 'stopped'"
 
   # delete test_busybox
   runc delete test_busybox
diff --git a/tests/integration/update.bats b/tests/integration/update.bats
index 0bb0d5b4c..2020127d7 100644
--- a/tests/integration/update.bats
+++ b/tests/integration/update.bats
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ function check_cgroup_value() {
 }
 
 @test "update" {
-    # start a few busyboxes detached
-    runc start -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_update
+    # run a few busyboxes detached
+    runc run -d --console /dev/pts/ptmx test_update
     [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
     wait_for_container 15 1 test_update
 
diff --git a/utils.go b/utils.go
index d1888a2e5..75f44d39b 100644
--- a/utils.go
+++ b/utils.go
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import (
 	"os"
 
 	"github.com/Sirupsen/logrus"
+	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
+	"github.com/opencontainers/runtime-spec/specs-go"
 )
 
 // fatal prints the error's details if it is a libcontainer specific error type
@@ -15,3 +17,25 @@ func fatal(err error) {
 	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
 	os.Exit(1)
 }
+
+// setupSpec performs inital setup based on the cli.Context for the container
+func setupSpec(context *cli.Context) (*specs.Spec, error) {
+	bundle := context.String("bundle")
+	if bundle != "" {
+		if err := os.Chdir(bundle); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	spec, err := loadSpec(specConfig)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	notifySocket := os.Getenv("NOTIFY_SOCKET")
+	if notifySocket != "" {
+		setupSdNotify(spec, notifySocket)
+	}
+	if os.Geteuid() != 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("runc should be run as root")
+	}
+	return spec, nil
+}
diff --git a/utils_linux.go b/utils_linux.go
index c71df0d54..0fd1fbfad 100644
--- a/utils_linux.go
+++ b/utils_linux.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/Sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
+	"github.com/coreos/go-systemd/activation"
 	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer"
 	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer/cgroups/systemd"
 	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer/specconv"
@@ -198,6 +199,7 @@ type runner struct {
 	pidFile         string
 	console         string
 	container       libcontainer.Container
+	create          bool
 }
 
 func (r *runner) run(config *specs.Process) (int, error) {
@@ -220,7 +222,7 @@ func (r *runner) run(config *specs.Process) (int, error) {
 		r.destroy()
 		return -1, err
 	}
-	tty, err := setupIO(process, rootuid, rootgid, r.console, config.Terminal, r.detach)
+	tty, err := setupIO(process, rootuid, rootgid, r.console, config.Terminal, r.detach || r.create)
 	if err != nil {
 		r.destroy()
 		return -1, err
@@ -245,7 +247,15 @@ func (r *runner) run(config *specs.Process) (int, error) {
 			return -1, err
 		}
 	}
-	if r.detach {
+	if !r.create {
+		if err := process.Signal(libcontainer.InitContinueSignal); err != nil {
+			r.terminate(process)
+			r.destroy()
+			tty.Close()
+			return -1, err
+		}
+	}
+	if r.detach || r.create {
 		tty.Close()
 		return 0, nil
 	}
@@ -281,3 +291,31 @@ func validateProcessSpec(spec *specs.Process) error {
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+func startContainer(context *cli.Context, spec *specs.Spec, create bool) (int, error) {
+	id := context.Args().First()
+	if id == "" {
+		return -1, errEmptyID
+	}
+	container, err := createContainer(context, id, spec)
+	if err != nil {
+		return -1, err
+	}
+	detach := context.Bool("detach")
+	// Support on-demand socket activation by passing file descriptors into the container init process.
+	listenFDs := []*os.File{}
+	if os.Getenv("LISTEN_FDS") != "" {
+		listenFDs = activation.Files(false)
+	}
+	r := &runner{
+		enableSubreaper: !context.Bool("no-subreaper"),
+		shouldDestroy:   true,
+		container:       container,
+		listenFDs:       listenFDs,
+		console:         context.String("console"),
+		detach:          detach,
+		pidFile:         context.String("pid-file"),
+		create:          create,
+	}
+	return r.run(&spec.Process)
+}