diff --git a/data/io.github.wpkelso.slate.desktop.in b/data/io.github.wpkelso.slate.desktop.in
index 81c2b2f..4efc11f 100644
--- a/data/io.github.wpkelso.slate.desktop.in
+++ b/data/io.github.wpkelso.slate.desktop.in
@@ -9,3 +9,8 @@ Type=Application
 StartupNotify=true
 Categories=Utility;GTK;Office;Development;TextTools;TextEditor;
 MimeType=text/plain;
+Actions=NewDocument;
+
+[Desktop Action NewDocument]
+Exec=io.github.wpkelso.slate --new-document
+Name=New Document
diff --git a/src/Application.vala b/src/Application.vala
index 82f4b18..bc52d03 100644
--- a/src/Application.vala
+++ b/src/Application.vala
@@ -11,11 +11,10 @@ public class Application : Gtk.Application {
     public static uint created_documents = 1;
     public static string data_dir_path = Environment.get_user_data_dir () + "/slate";
 
-
     public Application () {
         Object (
                 application_id: APP_ID,
-                flags: ApplicationFlags.DEFAULT_FLAGS | ApplicationFlags.HANDLES_OPEN
+                flags: ApplicationFlags.DEFAULT_FLAGS | ApplicationFlags.HANDLES_OPEN | ApplicationFlags.HANDLES_COMMAND_LINE
         );
     }
 
@@ -178,4 +177,26 @@ public class Application : Gtk.Application {
             }
         });
     }
+
+    protected override int command_line (ApplicationCommandLine command_line) {
+    string[] args = command_line.get_arguments ();
+
+        switch (args[1]) {
+            case "--new-document":
+                on_new_document ();
+                break;
+
+            case (null):
+                activate ();
+                break;
+
+            default:
+                foreach (var arg in args[1:args.length]) {
+                    open_window_with_file (File.new_for_commandline_arg (arg));
+                }
+                break;
+        }
+        return 0;
+
+    }
 }