diff --git a/Manifest.txt b/Manifest.txt
index 8e096ff..5c9dd1e 100644
--- a/Manifest.txt
+++ b/Manifest.txt
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ lib/minitest/pride.rb
 lib/minitest/pride_plugin.rb
 lib/minitest/spec.rb
 lib/minitest/test.rb
+lib/minitest/test_task.rb
 lib/minitest/unit.rb
 test/minitest/metametameta.rb
 test/minitest/test_minitest_assertions.rb
@@ -25,3 +26,4 @@ test/minitest/test_minitest_mock.rb
 test/minitest/test_minitest_reporter.rb
 test/minitest/test_minitest_spec.rb
 test/minitest/test_minitest_test.rb
+test/minitest/test_minitest_test_task.rb
diff --git a/README.rdoc b/README.rdoc
index cf0be89..41240c6 100644
--- a/README.rdoc
+++ b/README.rdoc
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ extract-method refactorings still apply.
 * minitest/mock - a simple and clean mock/stub system.
 * minitest/benchmark - an awesome way to assert your algorithm's performance.
 * minitest/pride - show your pride in testing!
+* minitest/test_task - a full-featured and clean rake task generator.
 * Incredibly small and fast runner, but no bells and whistles.
 * Written by squishy human beings. Software can never be perfect. We will all eventually die.
 
@@ -264,9 +265,8 @@ new non-existing method:
 
 === Running Your Tests
 
-Ideally, you'll use a rake task to run your tests, either piecemeal or
-all at once. Both rake and rails ship with rake tasks for running your
-tests. BUT! You don't have to:
+Ideally, you'll use a rake task to run your tests (see below), either
+piecemeal or all at once. BUT! You don't have to:
 
     % ruby -Ilib:test test/minitest/test_minitest_test.rb
     Run options: --seed 37685
@@ -294,18 +294,45 @@ provided via plugins. To see them, simply run with +--help+:
         -p, --pride                      Pride. Show your testing pride!
         -a, --autotest                   Connect to autotest server.
 
+=== Rake Tasks
+
 You can set up a rake task to run all your tests by adding this to your Rakefile:
 
-    require "rake/testtask"
+    require "minitest/test_task"
 
-    Rake::TestTask.new(:test) do |t|
+    Minitest::TestTask.create # named test, sensible defaults
+
+    # or more explicitly:
+
+    Minitest::TestTask.create(:test) do |t|
       t.libs << "test"
       t.libs << "lib"
-      t.test_files = FileList["test/**/test_*.rb"]
+      t.warning = false
+      t.test_globs = ["test/**/*_test.rb"]
     end
 
     task :default => :test
 
+Each of these will generate 4 tasks:
+
+    rake test          :: Run the test suite.
+    rake test:cmd      :: Print out the test command.
+    rake test:isolated :: Show which test files fail when run separately.
+    rake test:slow     :: Show bottom 25 tests sorted by time.
+
+=== Rake Task Variables
+
+There are a bunch of variables you can supply to rake to modify the run.
+
+    MT_LIB_EXTRAS :: Extra libs to dynamically override/inject for custom runs.
+    N             :: -n: Tests to run (string or /regexp/).
+    X             :: -x: Tests to exclude (string or /regexp/).
+    A             :: Any extra arguments. Honors shell quoting.
+    MT_CPU        :: How many threads to use for parallel test runs
+    SEED          :: -s --seed Sets random seed.
+    TESTOPTS      :: Deprecated, same as A
+    FILTER        :: Deprecated, same as A
+
 == Writing Extensions
 
 To define a plugin, add a file named minitest/XXX_plugin.rb to your
diff --git a/lib/minitest/test_task.rb b/lib/minitest/test_task.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2ac948
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/minitest/test_task.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,305 @@
+require "shellwords"
+require "rbconfig"
+require "rake/tasklib"
+
+module Minitest # :nodoc:
+
+  ##
+  # Minitest::TestTask is a rake helper that generates several rake
+  # tasks under the main test task's name-space.
+  #
+  #   task <name>      :: the main test task
+  #   task <name>:cmd  :: prints the command to use
+  #   task <name>:deps :: runs each test file by itself to find dependency errors
+  #   task <name>:slow :: runs the tests and reports the slowest 25 tests.
+  #
+  # Examples:
+  #
+  #   Minitest::TestTask.create
+  #
+  # The most basic and default setup.
+  #
+  #   Minitest::TestTask.create :my_tests
+  #
+  # The most basic/default setup, but with a custom name
+  #
+  #   Minitest::TestTask.create :unit do |t|
+  #     t.test_globs = ["test/unit/**/*_test.rb"]
+  #     t.warning = false
+  #   end
+  #
+  # Customize the name and only run unit tests.
+
+  class TestTask < Rake::TaskLib
+    WINDOWS = RbConfig::CONFIG["host_os"] =~ /mswin|mingw/ # :nodoc:
+
+    ##
+    # Create several test-oriented tasks under +name+. Takes an
+    # optional block to customize variables.
+
+    def self.create name = :test, &block
+      task = new name
+      task.instance_eval(&block) if block
+      task.process_env
+      task.define
+      task
+    end
+
+    ##
+    # Extra arguments to pass to the tests. Defaults empty but gets
+    # populated by a number of enviroment variables:
+    #
+    # N (-n flag) :: a string or regexp of tests to run.
+    # X (-e flag) :: a string or regexp of tests to exclude.
+    # A (arg)     :: quick way to inject an arbitrary argument (eg A=--help).
+    #
+    # See #process_env
+
+    attr_accessor :extra_args
+
+    ##
+    # The code to load the framework. Defaults to requiring
+    # minitest/autorun...
+    #
+    # Why do I have this as an option?
+
+    attr_accessor :framework
+
+    ##
+    # Extra library directories to include. Defaults to %w[lib test
+    # .]. Also uses $MT_LIB_EXTRAS allowing you to dynamically
+    # override/inject directories for custom runs.
+
+    attr_accessor :libs
+
+    ##
+    # The name of the task and base name for the other tasks generated.
+
+    attr_accessor :name
+
+    ##
+    # File globs to find test files. Defaults to something sensible to
+    # find test files under the test directory.
+
+    attr_accessor :test_globs
+
+    ##
+    # Turn on ruby warnings (-w flag). Defaults to true.
+
+    attr_accessor :warning
+
+    ##
+    # Optional: Additional ruby to run before the test framework is loaded.
+
+    attr_accessor :test_prelude
+
+    ##
+    # Print out commands as they run. Defaults to Rake's +trace+ (-t
+    # flag) option.
+
+    attr_accessor :verbose
+
+    ##
+    # Use TestTask.create instead.
+
+    def initialize name = :test # :nodoc:
+      self.extra_args   = []
+      self.framework    = %(require "minitest/autorun")
+      self.libs         = %w[lib test .]
+      self.name         = name
+      self.test_globs   = ["test/**/test_*.rb",
+                           "test/**/*_test.rb"]
+      self.test_prelude = nil
+      self.verbose      = Rake.application.options.trace
+      self.warning      = true
+    end
+
+    ##
+    # Extract variables from the environment and convert them to
+    # command line arguments. See #extra_args.
+    #
+    # Environment Variables:
+    #
+    # MT_LIB_EXTRAS :: Extra libs to dynamically override/inject for custom runs.
+    # N             :: Tests to run (string or /regexp/).
+    # X             :: Tests to exclude (string or /regexp/).
+    # A             :: Any extra arguments. Honors shell quoting.
+    #
+    # Deprecated:
+    #
+    # TESTOPTS      :: For argument passing, use +A+.
+    # N             :: For parallel testing, use +MT_CPU+.
+    # FILTER        :: Same as +TESTOPTS+.
+
+    def process_env
+      warn "TESTOPTS is deprecated in Minitest::TestTask. Use A instead" if
+        ENV["TESTOPTS"]
+      warn "FILTER is deprecated in Minitest::TestTask. Use A instead" if
+        ENV["FILTER"]
+      warn "N is deprecated in Minitest::TestTask. Use MT_CPU instead" if
+        ENV["N"] && ENV["N"].to_i > 0
+
+      lib_extras = (ENV["MT_LIB_EXTRAS"] || "").split File::PATH_SEPARATOR
+      self.libs[0,0] = lib_extras
+
+      extra_args << "-n" << ENV["N"]                      if ENV["N"]
+      extra_args << "-e" << ENV["X"]                      if ENV["X"]
+      extra_args.concat Shellwords.split(ENV["TESTOPTS"]) if ENV["TESTOPTS"]
+      extra_args.concat Shellwords.split(ENV["FILTER"])   if ENV["FILTER"]
+      extra_args.concat Shellwords.split(ENV["A"])        if ENV["A"]
+
+      ENV.delete "N" if ENV["N"]
+
+      # TODO? RUBY_DEBUG = ENV["RUBY_DEBUG"]
+      # TODO? ENV["RUBY_FLAGS"]
+
+      extra_args.compact!
+    end
+
+    def define # :nodoc:
+      default_tasks = []
+
+      desc "Run the test suite. Use N, X, A, and TESTOPTS to add flags/args."
+      task name do
+        ruby make_test_cmd, verbose:verbose
+      end
+
+      desc "Print out the test command. Good for profiling and other tools."
+      task "#{name}:cmd" do
+        puts "ruby #{make_test_cmd}"
+      end
+
+      desc "Show which test files fail when run in isolation."
+      task "#{name}:isolated" do
+        tests = Dir[*self.test_globs].uniq
+
+        # 3 seems to be the magic number... (tho not by that much)
+        bad, good, n = {}, [], (ENV.delete("K") || 3).to_i
+        file = ENV.delete("F")
+        times = {}
+
+        tt0 = Time.now
+
+        n.threads_do tests.sort do |path|
+          t0 = Time.now
+          output = `#{Gem.ruby} #{make_test_cmd path} 2>&1`
+          t1 = Time.now - t0
+
+          times[path] = t1
+
+          if $?.success?
+            $stderr.print "."
+            good << path
+          else
+            $stderr.print "x"
+            bad[path] = output
+          end
+        end
+
+        puts "done"
+        puts "Ran in %.2f seconds" % [ Time.now - tt0 ]
+
+        if file then
+          require "json"
+          File.open file, "w" do |io|
+            io.puts JSON.pretty_generate times
+          end
+        end
+
+        unless good.empty?
+          puts
+          puts "# Good tests:"
+          puts
+          good.sort.each do |path|
+            puts "%.2fs: %s" % [times[path], path]
+          end
+        end
+
+        unless bad.empty?
+          puts
+          puts "# Bad tests:"
+          puts
+          bad.keys.sort.each do |path|
+            puts "%.2fs: %s" % [times[path], path]
+          end
+          puts
+          puts "# Bad Test Output:"
+          puts
+          bad.sort.each do |path, output|
+            puts
+            puts "# #{path}:"
+            puts output
+          end
+          exit 1
+        end
+      end
+
+      task "#{name}:deps" => "#{name}:isolated" # now just an alias
+
+      desc "Show bottom 25 tests wrt time."
+      task "#{name}:slow" do
+        sh ["rake #{name} TESTOPTS=-v",
+            "egrep '#test_.* s = .'",
+            "sort -n -k2 -t=",
+            "tail -25"].join " | "
+      end
+
+      default_tasks << name
+
+      desc "Run the default task(s)."
+      task :default => default_tasks
+    end
+
+    ##
+    # Generate the test command-line.
+
+    def make_test_cmd globs = test_globs
+      tests = []
+      tests.concat Dir[*globs].sort.shuffle # TODO: SEED -> srand first?
+      tests.map! { |f| %(require "#{f}") }
+
+      runner = []
+      runner << test_prelude if test_prelude
+      runner << framework
+      runner.concat tests
+      runner = runner.join "; "
+
+      args  = []
+      args << "-I#{libs.join(File::PATH_SEPARATOR)}" unless libs.empty?
+      args << "-w" if warning
+      args << '-e'
+      args << "'#{runner}'"
+      args << '--'
+      args << extra_args.map(&:shellescape)
+
+      args.join " "
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+class Work < Queue
+  def initialize jobs = []
+    super()
+
+    jobs.each do |job|
+      self << job
+    end
+
+    close
+  end
+end
+
+class Integer
+  def threads_do(jobs) # :nodoc:
+    require "thread"
+    q = Work.new jobs
+
+    self.times.map {
+      Thread.new do
+        while job = q.pop # go until quit value
+          yield job
+        end
+      end
+    }.each(&:join)
+  end
+end
diff --git a/test/minitest/test_minitest_test_task.rb b/test/minitest/test_minitest_test_task.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11b2618
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/minitest/test_minitest_test_task.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+require "minitest/autorun"
+require "hoe"
+
+require "minitest/test_task"
+
+Hoe.load_plugins # make sure Hoe::Test is loaded
+
+class TestHoeTest < Minitest::Test
+  PATH = "test/minitest/test_minitest_test_task.rb"
+
+  mt_path = %w[lib test .].join File::PATH_SEPARATOR
+
+  MT_EXPECTED = %W[-I#{mt_path} -w
+                   -e '%srequire "#{PATH}"'
+                   --].join(" ") + " "
+
+  def test_make_test_cmd_for_minitest
+    skip "Using TESTOPTS... skipping" if ENV["TESTOPTS"]
+
+    require "minitest/test_task"
+
+    framework = %(require "minitest/autorun"; )
+
+    @tester = Minitest::TestTask.create :test do |t|
+      t.test_globs = [PATH]
+    end
+
+    assert_equal MT_EXPECTED % [framework].join("; "), @tester.make_test_cmd
+  end
+
+  def test_make_test_cmd_for_minitest_prelude
+    skip "Using TESTOPTS... skipping" if ENV["TESTOPTS"]
+
+    require "minitest/test_task"
+
+    prelude = %(require "other/file")
+    framework = %(require "minitest/autorun"; )
+
+    @tester = Minitest::TestTask.create :test do |t|
+      t.test_prelude = prelude
+      t.test_globs = [PATH]
+    end
+
+    assert_equal MT_EXPECTED % [prelude, framework].join("; "), @tester.make_test_cmd
+  end
+end