diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 7d2fefce9..a6b0bd403 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@
 /git-commit-tree
 /git-config
 /git-count-objects
+/git-credential-cache
+/git-credential-cache--daemon
 /git-cvsexportcommit
 /git-cvsimport
 /git-cvsserver
diff --git a/Documentation/git-credential-cache--daemon.txt b/Documentation/git-credential-cache--daemon.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..11edc5a17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Documentation/git-credential-cache--daemon.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+git-credential-cache--daemon(1)
+===============================
+
+NAME
+----
+git-credential-cache--daemon - temporarily store user credentials in memory
+
+SYNOPSIS
+--------
+[verse]
+git credential-cache--daemon <socket>
+
+DESCRIPTION
+-----------
+
+NOTE: You probably don't want to invoke this command yourself; it is
+started automatically when you use linkgit:git-credential-cache[1].
+
+This command listens on the Unix domain socket specified by `<socket>`
+for `git-credential-cache` clients. Clients may store and retrieve
+credentials. Each credential is held for a timeout specified by the
+client; once no credentials are held, the daemon exits.
+
+GIT
+---
+Part of the linkgit:git[1] suite
diff --git a/Documentation/git-credential-cache.txt b/Documentation/git-credential-cache.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f3d09c5d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Documentation/git-credential-cache.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+git-credential-cache(1)
+=======================
+
+NAME
+----
+git-credential-cache - helper to temporarily store passwords in memory
+
+SYNOPSIS
+--------
+-----------------------------
+git config credential.helper 'cache [options]'
+-----------------------------
+
+DESCRIPTION
+-----------
+
+This command caches credentials in memory for use by future git
+programs. The stored credentials never touch the disk, and are forgotten
+after a configurable timeout.  The cache is accessible over a Unix
+domain socket, restricted to the current user by filesystem permissions.
+
+You probably don't want to invoke this command directly; it is meant to
+be used as a credential helper by other parts of git. See
+linkgit:gitcredentials[7] or `EXAMPLES` below.
+
+OPTIONS
+-------
+
+--timeout <seconds>::
+
+	Number of seconds to cache credentials (default: 900).
+
+--socket <path>::
+
+	Use `<path>` to contact a running cache daemon (or start a new
+	cache daemon if one is not started). Defaults to
+	`~/.git-credential-cache/socket`. If your home directory is on a
+	network-mounted filesystem, you may need to change this to a
+	local filesystem.
+
+CONTROLLING THE DAEMON
+----------------------
+
+If you would like the daemon to exit early, forgetting all cached
+credentials before their timeout, you can issue an `exit` action:
+
+--------------------------------------
+git credential-cache exit
+--------------------------------------
+
+EXAMPLES
+--------
+
+The point of this helper is to reduce the number of times you must type
+your username or password. For example:
+
+------------------------------------
+$ git config credential.helper cache
+$ git push http://example.com/repo.git
+Username: <type your username>
+Password: <type your password>
+
+[work for 5 more minutes]
+$ git push http://example.com/repo.git
+[your credentials are used automatically]
+------------------------------------
+
+You can provide options via the credential.helper configuration
+variable (this example drops the cache time to 5 minutes):
+
+-------------------------------------------------------
+$ git config credential.helper 'cache --timeout=300'
+-------------------------------------------------------
+
+GIT
+---
+Part of the linkgit:git[1] suite
diff --git a/Documentation/gitcredentials.txt b/Documentation/gitcredentials.txt
index 07f659697..4e3f860ea 100644
--- a/Documentation/gitcredentials.txt
+++ b/Documentation/gitcredentials.txt
@@ -63,11 +63,18 @@ Credential helpers, on the other hand, are external programs from which git can
 request both usernames and passwords; they typically interface with secure
 storage provided by the OS or other programs.
 
-To use a helper, you must first select one to use.  Git does not yet
-include any credential helpers, but you may have third-party helpers
-installed; search for `credential-*` in the output of `git help -a`, and
-consult the documentation of individual helpers.  Once you have selected
-a helper, you can tell git to use it by putting its name into the
+To use a helper, you must first select one to use. Git currently
+includes the following helpers:
+
+cache::
+
+	Cache credentials in memory for a short period of time. See
+	linkgit:git-credential-cache[1] for details.
+
+You may also have third-party helpers installed; search for
+`credential-*` in the output of `git help -a`, and consult the
+documentation of individual helpers.  Once you have selected a helper,
+you can tell git to use it by putting its name into the
 credential.helper variable.
 
 1. Find a helper.
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 5ca363b82..5d41c296c 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -427,6 +427,8 @@ PROGRAM_OBJS += show-index.o
 PROGRAM_OBJS += upload-pack.o
 PROGRAM_OBJS += http-backend.o
 PROGRAM_OBJS += sh-i18n--envsubst.o
+PROGRAM_OBJS += credential-cache.o
+PROGRAM_OBJS += credential-cache--daemon.o
 
 PROGRAMS += $(patsubst %.o,git-%$X,$(PROGRAM_OBJS))
 
@@ -699,6 +701,7 @@ LIB_OBJS += transport-helper.o
 LIB_OBJS += tree-diff.o
 LIB_OBJS += tree.o
 LIB_OBJS += tree-walk.o
+LIB_OBJS += unix-socket.o
 LIB_OBJS += unpack-trees.o
 LIB_OBJS += url.o
 LIB_OBJS += usage.o
diff --git a/credential-cache--daemon.c b/credential-cache--daemon.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..390f19425
--- /dev/null
+++ b/credential-cache--daemon.c
@@ -0,0 +1,269 @@
+#include "cache.h"
+#include "credential.h"
+#include "unix-socket.h"
+#include "sigchain.h"
+
+static const char *socket_path;
+
+static void cleanup_socket(void)
+{
+	if (socket_path)
+		unlink(socket_path);
+}
+
+static void cleanup_socket_on_signal(int sig)
+{
+	cleanup_socket();
+	sigchain_pop(sig);
+	raise(sig);
+}
+
+struct credential_cache_entry {
+	struct credential item;
+	unsigned long expiration;
+};
+static struct credential_cache_entry *entries;
+static int entries_nr;
+static int entries_alloc;
+
+static void cache_credential(struct credential *c, int timeout)
+{
+	struct credential_cache_entry *e;
+
+	ALLOC_GROW(entries, entries_nr + 1, entries_alloc);
+	e = &entries[entries_nr++];
+
+	/* take ownership of pointers */
+	memcpy(&e->item, c, sizeof(*c));
+	memset(c, 0, sizeof(*c));
+	e->expiration = time(NULL) + timeout;
+}
+
+static struct credential_cache_entry *lookup_credential(const struct credential *c)
+{
+	int i;
+	for (i = 0; i < entries_nr; i++) {
+		struct credential *e = &entries[i].item;
+		if (credential_match(c, e))
+			return &entries[i];
+	}
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+static void remove_credential(const struct credential *c)
+{
+	struct credential_cache_entry *e;
+
+	e = lookup_credential(c);
+	if (e)
+		e->expiration = 0;
+}
+
+static int check_expirations(void)
+{
+	static unsigned long wait_for_entry_until;
+	int i = 0;
+	unsigned long now = time(NULL);
+	unsigned long next = (unsigned long)-1;
+
+	/*
+	 * Initially give the client 30 seconds to actually contact us
+	 * and store a credential before we decide there's no point in
+	 * keeping the daemon around.
+	 */
+	if (!wait_for_entry_until)
+		wait_for_entry_until = now + 30;
+
+	while (i < entries_nr) {
+		if (entries[i].expiration <= now) {
+			entries_nr--;
+			credential_clear(&entries[i].item);
+			if (i != entries_nr)
+				memcpy(&entries[i], &entries[entries_nr], sizeof(*entries));
+			/*
+			 * Stick around 30 seconds in case a new credential
+			 * shows up (e.g., because we just removed a failed
+			 * one, and we will soon get the correct one).
+			 */
+			wait_for_entry_until = now + 30;
+		}
+		else {
+			if (entries[i].expiration < next)
+				next = entries[i].expiration;
+			i++;
+		}
+	}
+
+	if (!entries_nr) {
+		if (wait_for_entry_until <= now)
+			return 0;
+		next = wait_for_entry_until;
+	}
+
+	return next - now;
+}
+
+static int read_request(FILE *fh, struct credential *c,
+			struct strbuf *action, int *timeout) {
+	static struct strbuf item = STRBUF_INIT;
+	const char *p;
+
+	strbuf_getline(&item, fh, '\n');
+	p = skip_prefix(item.buf, "action=");
+	if (!p)
+		return error("client sent bogus action line: %s", item.buf);
+	strbuf_addstr(action, p);
+
+	strbuf_getline(&item, fh, '\n');
+	p = skip_prefix(item.buf, "timeout=");
+	if (!p)
+		return error("client sent bogus timeout line: %s", item.buf);
+	*timeout = atoi(p);
+
+	if (credential_read(c, fh) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static void serve_one_client(FILE *in, FILE *out)
+{
+	struct credential c = CREDENTIAL_INIT;
+	struct strbuf action = STRBUF_INIT;
+	int timeout = -1;
+
+	if (read_request(in, &c, &action, &timeout) < 0)
+		/* ignore error */ ;
+	else if (!strcmp(action.buf, "get")) {
+		struct credential_cache_entry *e = lookup_credential(&c);
+		if (e) {
+			fprintf(out, "username=%s\n", e->item.username);
+			fprintf(out, "password=%s\n", e->item.password);
+		}
+	}
+	else if (!strcmp(action.buf, "exit"))
+		exit(0);
+	else if (!strcmp(action.buf, "erase"))
+		remove_credential(&c);
+	else if (!strcmp(action.buf, "store")) {
+		if (timeout < 0)
+			warning("cache client didn't specify a timeout");
+		else if (!c.username || !c.password)
+			warning("cache client gave us a partial credential");
+		else {
+			remove_credential(&c);
+			cache_credential(&c, timeout);
+		}
+	}
+	else
+		warning("cache client sent unknown action: %s", action.buf);
+
+	credential_clear(&c);
+	strbuf_release(&action);
+}
+
+static int serve_cache_loop(int fd)
+{
+	struct pollfd pfd;
+	unsigned long wakeup;
+
+	wakeup = check_expirations();
+	if (!wakeup)
+		return 0;
+
+	pfd.fd = fd;
+	pfd.events = POLLIN;
+	if (poll(&pfd, 1, 1000 * wakeup) < 0) {
+		if (errno != EINTR)
+			die_errno("poll failed");
+		return 1;
+	}
+
+	if (pfd.revents & POLLIN) {
+		int client, client2;
+		FILE *in, *out;
+
+		client = accept(fd, NULL, NULL);
+		if (client < 0) {
+			warning("accept failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+			return 1;
+		}
+		client2 = dup(client);
+		if (client2 < 0) {
+			warning("dup failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+			close(client);
+			return 1;
+		}
+
+		in = xfdopen(client, "r");
+		out = xfdopen(client2, "w");
+		serve_one_client(in, out);
+		fclose(in);
+		fclose(out);
+	}
+	return 1;
+}
+
+static void serve_cache(const char *socket_path)
+{
+	int fd;
+
+	fd = unix_stream_listen(socket_path);
+	if (fd < 0)
+		die_errno("unable to bind to '%s'", socket_path);
+
+	printf("ok\n");
+	fclose(stdout);
+
+	while (serve_cache_loop(fd))
+		; /* nothing */
+
+	close(fd);
+	unlink(socket_path);
+}
+
+static const char permissions_advice[] =
+"The permissions on your socket directory are too loose; other\n"
+"users may be able to read your cached credentials. Consider running:\n"
+"\n"
+"	chmod 0700 %s";
+static void check_socket_directory(const char *path)
+{
+	struct stat st;
+	char *path_copy = xstrdup(path);
+	char *dir = dirname(path_copy);
+
+	if (!stat(dir, &st)) {
+		if (st.st_mode & 077)
+			die(permissions_advice, dir);
+		free(path_copy);
+		return;
+	}
+
+	/*
+	 * We must be sure to create the directory with the correct mode,
+	 * not just chmod it after the fact; otherwise, there is a race
+	 * condition in which somebody can chdir to it, sleep, then try to open
+	 * our protected socket.
+	 */
+	if (safe_create_leading_directories_const(dir) < 0)
+		die_errno("unable to create directories for '%s'", dir);
+	if (mkdir(dir, 0700) < 0)
+		die_errno("unable to mkdir '%s'", dir);
+	free(path_copy);
+}
+
+int main(int argc, const char **argv)
+{
+	socket_path = argv[1];
+
+	if (!socket_path)
+		die("usage: git-credential-cache--daemon <socket_path>");
+	check_socket_directory(socket_path);
+
+	atexit(cleanup_socket);
+	sigchain_push_common(cleanup_socket_on_signal);
+
+	serve_cache(socket_path);
+
+	return 0;
+}
diff --git a/credential-cache.c b/credential-cache.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..dc98372e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/credential-cache.c
@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+#include "cache.h"
+#include "credential.h"
+#include "string-list.h"
+#include "parse-options.h"
+#include "unix-socket.h"
+#include "run-command.h"
+
+#define FLAG_SPAWN 0x1
+#define FLAG_RELAY 0x2
+
+static int send_request(const char *socket, const struct strbuf *out)
+{
+	int got_data = 0;
+	int fd = unix_stream_connect(socket);
+
+	if (fd < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	if (write_in_full(fd, out->buf, out->len) < 0)
+		die_errno("unable to write to cache daemon");
+	shutdown(fd, SHUT_WR);
+
+	while (1) {
+		char in[1024];
+		int r;
+
+		r = read_in_full(fd, in, sizeof(in));
+		if (r == 0)
+			break;
+		if (r < 0)
+			die_errno("read error from cache daemon");
+		write_or_die(1, in, r);
+		got_data = 1;
+	}
+	return got_data;
+}
+
+static void spawn_daemon(const char *socket)
+{
+	struct child_process daemon;
+	const char *argv[] = { NULL, NULL, NULL };
+	char buf[128];
+	int r;
+
+	memset(&daemon, 0, sizeof(daemon));
+	argv[0] = "git-credential-cache--daemon";
+	argv[1] = socket;
+	daemon.argv = argv;
+	daemon.no_stdin = 1;
+	daemon.out = -1;
+
+	if (start_command(&daemon))
+		die_errno("unable to start cache daemon");
+	r = read_in_full(daemon.out, buf, sizeof(buf));
+	if (r < 0)
+		die_errno("unable to read result code from cache daemon");
+	if (r != 3 || memcmp(buf, "ok\n", 3))
+		die("cache daemon did not start: %.*s", r, buf);
+	close(daemon.out);
+}
+
+static void do_cache(const char *socket, const char *action, int timeout,
+		     int flags)
+{
+	struct strbuf buf = STRBUF_INIT;
+
+	strbuf_addf(&buf, "action=%s\n", action);
+	strbuf_addf(&buf, "timeout=%d\n", timeout);
+	if (flags & FLAG_RELAY) {
+		if (strbuf_read(&buf, 0, 0) < 0)
+			die_errno("unable to relay credential");
+	}
+
+	if (!send_request(socket, &buf))
+		return;
+	if (flags & FLAG_SPAWN) {
+		spawn_daemon(socket);
+		send_request(socket, &buf);
+	}
+	strbuf_release(&buf);
+}
+
+int main(int argc, const char **argv)
+{
+	char *socket_path = NULL;
+	int timeout = 900;
+	const char *op;
+	const char * const usage[] = {
+		"git credential-cache [options] <action>",
+		NULL
+	};
+	struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_INTEGER(0, "timeout", &timeout,
+			    "number of seconds to cache credentials"),
+		OPT_STRING(0, "socket", &socket_path, "path",
+			   "path of cache-daemon socket"),
+		OPT_END()
+	};
+
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, usage, 0);
+	if (!argc)
+		usage_with_options(usage, options);
+	op = argv[0];
+
+	if (!socket_path)
+		socket_path = expand_user_path("~/.git-credential-cache/socket");
+	if (!socket_path)
+		die("unable to find a suitable socket path; use --socket");
+
+	if (!strcmp(op, "exit"))
+		do_cache(socket_path, op, timeout, 0);
+	else if (!strcmp(op, "get") || !strcmp(op, "erase"))
+		do_cache(socket_path, op, timeout, FLAG_RELAY);
+	else if (!strcmp(op, "store"))
+		do_cache(socket_path, op, timeout, FLAG_RELAY|FLAG_SPAWN);
+	else
+		; /* ignore unknown operation */
+
+	return 0;
+}
diff --git a/git-compat-util.h b/git-compat-util.h
index 8b4dd5c02..5c238bd6d 100644
--- a/git-compat-util.h
+++ b/git-compat-util.h
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@
 #include <arpa/inet.h>
 #include <netdb.h>
 #include <pwd.h>
+#include <sys/un.h>
 #ifndef NO_INTTYPES_H
 #include <inttypes.h>
 #else
diff --git a/t/lib-credential.sh b/t/lib-credential.sh
index 54ae1f484..4a37cd79e 100755
--- a/t/lib-credential.sh
+++ b/t/lib-credential.sh
@@ -21,6 +21,227 @@ read_chunk() {
 	done
 }
 
+# Clear any residual data from previous tests. We only
+# need this when testing third-party helpers which read and
+# write outside of our trash-directory sandbox.
+#
+# Don't bother checking for success here, as it is
+# outside the scope of tests and represents a best effort to
+# clean up after ourselves.
+helper_test_clean() {
+	reject $1 https example.com store-user
+	reject $1 https example.com user1
+	reject $1 https example.com user2
+	reject $1 http path.tld user
+	reject $1 https timeout.tld user
+}
+
+reject() {
+	(
+		echo protocol=$2
+		echo host=$3
+		echo username=$4
+	) | test-credential reject $1
+}
+
+helper_test() {
+	HELPER=$1
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) has no existing data" '
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		--
+		username=askpass-username
+		password=askpass-password
+		--
+		askpass: Username for '\''https://example.com'\'':
+		askpass: Password for '\''https://askpass-username@example.com'\'':
+		EOF
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) stores password" '
+		check approve $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		username=store-user
+		password=store-pass
+		EOF
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) can retrieve password" '
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		--
+		username=store-user
+		password=store-pass
+		--
+		EOF
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) requires matching protocol" '
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=http
+		host=example.com
+		--
+		username=askpass-username
+		password=askpass-password
+		--
+		askpass: Username for '\''http://example.com'\'':
+		askpass: Password for '\''http://askpass-username@example.com'\'':
+		EOF
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) requires matching host" '
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=https
+		host=other.tld
+		--
+		username=askpass-username
+		password=askpass-password
+		--
+		askpass: Username for '\''https://other.tld'\'':
+		askpass: Password for '\''https://askpass-username@other.tld'\'':
+		EOF
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) requires matching username" '
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		username=other
+		--
+		username=other
+		password=askpass-password
+		--
+		askpass: Password for '\''https://other@example.com'\'':
+		EOF
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) requires matching path" '
+		test_config credential.usehttppath true &&
+		check approve $HELPER <<-\EOF &&
+		protocol=http
+		host=path.tld
+		path=foo.git
+		username=user
+		password=pass
+		EOF
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=http
+		host=path.tld
+		path=bar.git
+		--
+		username=askpass-username
+		password=askpass-password
+		--
+		askpass: Username for '\''http://path.tld/bar.git'\'':
+		askpass: Password for '\''http://askpass-username@path.tld/bar.git'\'':
+		EOF
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) can forget host" '
+		check reject $HELPER <<-\EOF &&
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		EOF
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		--
+		username=askpass-username
+		password=askpass-password
+		--
+		askpass: Username for '\''https://example.com'\'':
+		askpass: Password for '\''https://askpass-username@example.com'\'':
+		EOF
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) can store multiple users" '
+		check approve $HELPER <<-\EOF &&
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		username=user1
+		password=pass1
+		EOF
+		check approve $HELPER <<-\EOF &&
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		username=user2
+		password=pass2
+		EOF
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF &&
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		username=user1
+		--
+		username=user1
+		password=pass1
+		EOF
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		username=user2
+		--
+		username=user2
+		password=pass2
+		EOF
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) can forget user" '
+		check reject $HELPER <<-\EOF &&
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		username=user1
+		EOF
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		username=user1
+		--
+		username=user1
+		password=askpass-password
+		--
+		askpass: Password for '\''https://user1@example.com'\'':
+		EOF
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) remembers other user" '
+		check fill $HELPER <<-\EOF
+		protocol=https
+		host=example.com
+		username=user2
+		--
+		username=user2
+		password=pass2
+		EOF
+	'
+}
+
+helper_test_timeout() {
+	HELPER="$*"
+
+	test_expect_success "helper ($HELPER) times out" '
+		check approve "$HELPER" <<-\EOF &&
+		protocol=https
+		host=timeout.tld
+		username=user
+		password=pass
+		EOF
+		sleep 2 &&
+		check fill "$HELPER" <<-\EOF
+		protocol=https
+		host=timeout.tld
+		--
+		username=askpass-username
+		password=askpass-password
+		--
+		askpass: Username for '\''https://timeout.tld'\'':
+		askpass: Password for '\''https://askpass-username@timeout.tld'\'':
+		EOF
+	'
+}
 
 cat >askpass <<\EOF
 #!/bin/sh
diff --git a/t/t0301-credential-cache.sh b/t/t0301-credential-cache.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..3a65f9953
--- /dev/null
+++ b/t/t0301-credential-cache.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+test_description='credential-cache tests'
+. ./test-lib.sh
+. "$TEST_DIRECTORY"/lib-credential.sh
+
+# don't leave a stale daemon running
+trap 'code=$?; git credential-cache exit; (exit $code); die' EXIT
+
+helper_test cache
+helper_test_timeout cache --timeout=1
+
+# we can't rely on our "trap" above working after test_done,
+# as test_done will delete the trash directory containing
+# our socket, leaving us with no way to access the daemon.
+git credential-cache exit
+
+test_done
diff --git a/unix-socket.c b/unix-socket.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..84b15099f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/unix-socket.c
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+#include "cache.h"
+#include "unix-socket.h"
+
+static int unix_stream_socket(void)
+{
+	int fd = socket(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM, 0);
+	if (fd < 0)
+		die_errno("unable to create socket");
+	return fd;
+}
+
+static void unix_sockaddr_init(struct sockaddr_un *sa, const char *path)
+{
+	int size = strlen(path) + 1;
+	if (size > sizeof(sa->sun_path))
+		die("socket path is too long to fit in sockaddr");
+	memset(sa, 0, sizeof(*sa));
+	sa->sun_family = AF_UNIX;
+	memcpy(sa->sun_path, path, size);
+}
+
+int unix_stream_connect(const char *path)
+{
+	int fd;
+	struct sockaddr_un sa;
+
+	unix_sockaddr_init(&sa, path);
+	fd = unix_stream_socket();
+	if (connect(fd, (struct sockaddr *)&sa, sizeof(sa)) < 0) {
+		close(fd);
+		return -1;
+	}
+	return fd;
+}
+
+int unix_stream_listen(const char *path)
+{
+	int fd;
+	struct sockaddr_un sa;
+
+	unix_sockaddr_init(&sa, path);
+	fd = unix_stream_socket();
+
+	unlink(path);
+	if (bind(fd, (struct sockaddr *)&sa, sizeof(sa)) < 0) {
+		close(fd);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	if (listen(fd, 5) < 0) {
+		close(fd);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	return fd;
+}
diff --git a/unix-socket.h b/unix-socket.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e271aeec5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/unix-socket.h
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+#ifndef UNIX_SOCKET_H
+#define UNIX_SOCKET_H
+
+int unix_stream_connect(const char *path);
+int unix_stream_listen(const char *path);
+
+#endif /* UNIX_SOCKET_H */