diff --git a/docs/en/reference/tools.rst b/docs/en/reference/tools.rst
index a5f99d141..eb93831b9 100644
--- a/docs/en/reference/tools.rst
+++ b/docs/en/reference/tools.rst
@@ -507,3 +507,22 @@ defined ones) is possible through the command:
         new \MyProject\Tools\Console\Commands\AnotherCommand(),
         new \MyProject\Tools\Console\Commands\OneMoreCommand(),
     ));
+
+
+Re-use console application
+--------------------------
+
+You are also able to retrieve and re-use the default console application.
+Just call ``ConsoleRunner::createApplication(...)`` with an appropriate
+HelperSet, like it is described in the configuration section.
+
+.. code-block:: php
+
+    <?php
+
+    // Retrieve default console application
+    $cli = ConsoleRunner::createApplication($helperSet);
+
+    // Runs console application
+    $cli->run();
+
diff --git a/lib/Doctrine/ORM/Tools/Console/ConsoleRunner.php b/lib/Doctrine/ORM/Tools/Console/ConsoleRunner.php
index 7e88615aa..c69e2342b 100644
--- a/lib/Doctrine/ORM/Tools/Console/ConsoleRunner.php
+++ b/lib/Doctrine/ORM/Tools/Console/ConsoleRunner.php
@@ -55,13 +55,29 @@ class ConsoleRunner
      * @return void
      */
     static public function run(HelperSet $helperSet, $commands = array())
+    {
+        $cli = self::createApplication($helperSet, $commands);
+        $cli->run();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a console application with the given helperset and
+     * optional commands.
+     *
+     * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Helper\HelperSet $helperSet
+     * @param array $commands
+     *
+     * @return \Symfony\Component\Console\Application
+     */
+    static public function createApplication(HelperSet $helperSet, $commands = array())
     {
         $cli = new Application('Doctrine Command Line Interface', Version::VERSION);
         $cli->setCatchExceptions(true);
         $cli->setHelperSet($helperSet);
         self::addCommands($cli);
         $cli->addCommands($commands);
-        $cli->run();
+
+        return $cli;
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/tests/Doctrine/Tests/ORM/Tools/Console/ConsoleRunnerTest.php b/tests/Doctrine/Tests/ORM/Tools/Console/ConsoleRunnerTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9d1966534
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Doctrine/Tests/ORM/Tools/Console/ConsoleRunnerTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace Doctrine\Tests\ORM\Tools\Console;
+
+use Doctrine\ORM\Tools\Console\ConsoleRunner;
+use Doctrine\ORM\Version;
+use Doctrine\Tests\DoctrineTestCase;
+use Symfony\Component\Console\Helper\HelperSet;
+
+/**
+ * @group DDC-3186
+ *
+ * @covers \Doctrine\ORM\Tools\Console\ConsoleRunner
+ */
+class ConsoleRunnerTest extends DoctrineTestCase
+{
+    public function testCreateApplication()
+    {
+        $helperSet = new HelperSet();
+        $app       = ConsoleRunner::createApplication($helperSet);
+
+        $this->assertInstanceOf('Symfony\Component\Console\Application', $app);
+        $this->assertSame($helperSet, $app->getHelperSet());
+        $this->assertEquals(Version::VERSION, $app->getVersion());
+    }
+}