diff --git a/documentation/kitfile.markdown b/documentation/kitfile.markdown
index d79b228..80479d6 100644
--- a/documentation/kitfile.markdown
+++ b/documentation/kitfile.markdown
@@ -116,3 +116,8 @@ Available commands are:
 * symlink _SOURCE_ _DESTINATION_
 
     Creates a symbolic link at _DESTINATION_ that points to _SOURCE_.
+
+* start _APPLICATION_
+
+    Starts _APPLICATION_ in the background to stop it from stealing focus
+    while `kitout` is still running.
diff --git a/kitout.sh b/kitout.sh
index b47ffea..344fdff 100755
--- a/kitout.sh
+++ b/kitout.sh
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ function process_kitfile {
             brewfile)   brewfile "$argument" ;;
             install)    install_file $argument ;;
             symlink)    symlink $argument ;;
+            start)      start "$argument" ;;
             remind)     remind "$argument" ;;
 
             cron_entry) add_to_crontab "$argument" ;;
@@ -269,6 +270,10 @@ function symlink {
     fi
 }
 
+function start {
+    open -g -a "$1"
+}
+
 function add_to_crontab {
     local line="$*"
     local tab="$(mktemp '/tmp/kitout.crontab.XXXXX')"
diff --git a/tests/start.bats b/tests/start.bats
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9699d60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/start.bats
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+@test cron_entry {
+    ! contacts_is_running
+
+    run ./kitout.sh tests/start.kitfile
+
+    [ $status -eq 0 ]
+    contacts_is_running
+}
+
+function contacts_is_running {
+    ps x | grep '[/]Contacts.app/'
+}
+
+function setup_file {
+    teardown
+}
+
+function teardown {
+    pid=$(contacts_is_running | cut -d' ' -f1 )
+    [ -n "$pid" ] && kill $pid || true
+}
diff --git a/tests/start.kitfile b/tests/start.kitfile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..98ca190
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/start.kitfile
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+start   Contacts