diff --git a/packages/shell-server/package.js b/packages/shell-server/package.js
index e1d9cf4af3..c8b11d80d2 100644
--- a/packages/shell-server/package.js
+++ b/packages/shell-server/package.js
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 Package.describe({
   name: "shell-server",
-  version: "0.4.0",
+  version: "0.5.0",
   summary: "Server-side component of the `meteor shell` command.",
   documentation: "README.md"
 });
diff --git a/packages/shell-server/shell-server.js b/packages/shell-server/shell-server.js
index 7bba75f3e7..73b62eb214 100644
--- a/packages/shell-server/shell-server.js
+++ b/packages/shell-server/shell-server.js
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ import {
 import { createServer } from "net";
 import { start as replStart } from "repl";
 
+// Enable process.sendMessage for communication with build process.
+import "meteor/inter-process-messaging";
+
 const INFO_FILE_MODE = parseInt("600", 8); // Only the owner can read or write.
 const EXITING_MESSAGE = "Shell exiting...";
 
@@ -308,7 +311,11 @@ class Server {
     repl.defineCommand("reload", {
       help: "Restart the server and the shell",
       action: function() {
-        process.exit(0);
+        if (process.sendMessage) {
+          process.sendMessage("shell-server", { command: "reload" });
+        } else {
+          process.exit(0);
+        }
       }
     });
   }
diff --git a/tools/runners/run-app.js b/tools/runners/run-app.js
index a082f43c6d..9d67c146a8 100644
--- a/tools/runners/run-app.js
+++ b/tools/runners/run-app.js
@@ -767,6 +767,14 @@ _.extend(AppRunner.prototype, {
     var serverWatcher;
     var clientWatcher;
 
+    appProcess.proc.onMessage("shell-server", message => {
+      if (message && message.command === "reload") {
+        self._resolvePromise("run", { outcome: "changed" });
+      } else {
+        return Promise.reject("Unsupported shell command: " + message);
+      }
+    });
+
     if (self.watchForChanges) {
       serverWatcher = new watch.Watcher({
         watchSet: serverWatchSet,