diff --git a/shell_tools.py b/shell_tools.py
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+# $Id: shell_tools.py,v 1.1 2010-01-08 18:43:06 wirawan Exp $
+#
+# wpylib.shell_tools
+# Created: 20100106
+# Wirawan Purwanto
+#
+# Simple and dirty tools like those I usually use in my shell
+# scripts.
+#
+
+import os
+import subprocess
+import sys
+
+def mcd(subdir):
+  # Assuming we have GNU coreutils' mkdir
+  cmd = ["mkdir", "-p", subdir]
+  try:
+    retcode = subprocess.call(cmd, shell=False)
+    if retcode == 0:
+      os.chdir(subdir)
+      return
+
+    print >>sys.stderr, "mcd " + subdir + ": ",
+    if retcode < 0:
+      print >>sys.stderr, "mkdir was terminated by signal", -retcode
+    else:
+      print >>sys.stderr, "mkdir returned", retcode
+    raise RuntimeError, "Directory creation failure"
+  except OSError, e:
+    print >>sys.stderr, "mcd failed:", e
+    raise
+
+