diff --git a/Documentation/technical/api-parse-options.txt b/Documentation/technical/api-parse-options.txt
index acfd5dc1d8..c2a5e42914 100644
--- a/Documentation/technical/api-parse-options.txt
+++ b/Documentation/technical/api-parse-options.txt
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ Basics
 ------
 
 The argument vector `argv[]` may usually contain mandatory or optional
-'non-option arguments', e.g. a filename or a branch, and 'options'.
+'non-option arguments', e.g. a filename or a branch, 'options', and
+'subcommands'.
 Options are optional arguments that start with a dash and
 that allow to change the behavior of a command.
 
@@ -48,6 +49,33 @@ The parse-options API allows:
   option, e.g. `-a -b --option -- --this-is-a-file` indicates that
   `--this-is-a-file` must not be processed as an option.
 
+Subcommands are special in a couple of ways:
+
+* Subcommands only have long form, and they have no double dash prefix, no
+  negated form, and no description, and they don't take any arguments, and
+  can't be abbreviated.
+
+* There must be exactly one subcommand among the arguments, or zero if the
+  command has a default operation mode.
+
+* All arguments following the subcommand are considered to be arguments of
+  the subcommand, and, conversely, arguments meant for the subcommand may
+  not preceed the subcommand.
+
+Therefore, if the options array contains at least one subcommand and
+`parse_options()` encounters the first dashless argument, it will either:
+
+* stop and return, if that dashless argument is a known subcommand, setting
+  `value` to the function pointer associated with that subcommand, storing
+  the name of the subcommand in argv[0], and leaving the rest of the
+  arguments unprocessed, or
+
+* stop and return, if it was invoked with the `PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL`
+  flag and that dashless argument doesn't match any subcommands, leaving
+  `value` unchanged and the rest of the arguments unprocessed, or
+
+* show error and usage, and abort.
+
 Steps to parse options
 ----------------------
 
@@ -90,8 +118,8 @@ Flags are the bitwise-or of:
 	Keep the first argument, which contains the program name.  It's
 	removed from argv[] by default.
 
-`PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN`::
-	Keep unknown arguments instead of erroring out.  This doesn't
+`PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT`::
+	Keep unknown options instead of erroring out.  This doesn't
 	work for all combinations of arguments as users might expect
 	it to do.  E.g. if the first argument in `--unknown --known`
 	takes a value (which we can't know), the second one is
@@ -101,6 +129,8 @@ Flags are the bitwise-or of:
 	non-option, not as a value belonging to the unknown option,
 	the parser early.  That's why parse_options() errors out if
 	both options are set.
+	Note that non-option arguments are always kept, even without
+	this flag.
 
 `PARSE_OPT_NO_INTERNAL_HELP`::
 	By default, parse_options() handles `-h`, `--help` and
@@ -108,6 +138,13 @@ Flags are the bitwise-or of:
 	turns it off and allows one to add custom handlers for these
 	options, or to just leave them unknown.
 
+`PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL`::
+	Don't error out when no subcommand is specified.
+
+Note that `PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION` is incompatible with subcommands;
+while `PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH` and `PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT` can only be
+used with subcommands when combined with `PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL`.
+
 Data Structure
 --------------
 
@@ -236,10 +273,14 @@ There are some macros to easily define options:
 `OPT_CMDMODE(short, long, &int_var, description, enum_val)`::
 	Define an "operation mode" option, only one of which in the same
 	group of "operating mode" options that share the same `int_var`
-	can be given by the user. `enum_val` is set to `int_var` when the
+	can be given by the user. `int_var` is set to `enum_val` when the
 	option is used, but an error is reported if other "operating mode"
 	option has already set its value to the same `int_var`.
+	In new commands consider using subcommands instead.
 
+`OPT_SUBCOMMAND(long, &fn_ptr, subcommand_fn)`::
+	Define a subcommand.  `subcommand_fn` is put into `fn_ptr` when
+	this subcommand is used.
 
 The last element of the array must be `OPT_END()`.
 
diff --git a/builtin/archive.c b/builtin/archive.c
index 7176b041b6..f094390ee0 100644
--- a/builtin/archive.c
+++ b/builtin/archive.c
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ static int run_remote_archiver(int argc, const char **argv,
 
 #define PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ALL ( PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH | 	\
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 | 	\
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN |	\
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT |	\
 			     PARSE_OPT_NO_INTERNAL_HELP	)
 
 int cmd_archive(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
diff --git a/builtin/bisect--helper.c b/builtin/bisect--helper.c
index 8a052c7111..7097750fc6 100644
--- a/builtin/bisect--helper.c
+++ b/builtin/bisect--helper.c
@@ -1324,7 +1324,7 @@ int cmd_bisect__helper(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
 			     git_bisect_helper_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN);
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
 
 	if (!cmdmode)
 		usage_with_options(git_bisect_helper_usage, options);
diff --git a/builtin/blame.c b/builtin/blame.c
index 02e39420b6..a9fe8cf7a6 100644
--- a/builtin/blame.c
+++ b/builtin/blame.c
@@ -920,6 +920,7 @@ int cmd_blame(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			break;
 		case PARSE_OPT_HELP:
 		case PARSE_OPT_ERROR:
+		case PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND:
 			exit(129);
 		case PARSE_OPT_COMPLETE:
 			exit(0);
diff --git a/builtin/bundle.c b/builtin/bundle.c
index 2adad545a2..e80efce3a4 100644
--- a/builtin/bundle.c
+++ b/builtin/bundle.c
@@ -195,30 +195,19 @@ cleanup:
 
 int cmd_bundle(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
 	struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("create", &fn, cmd_bundle_create),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("verify", &fn, cmd_bundle_verify),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("list-heads", &fn, cmd_bundle_list_heads),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("unbundle", &fn, cmd_bundle_unbundle),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
-	int result;
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, builtin_bundle_usage,
-		PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION);
+			     0);
 
 	packet_trace_identity("bundle");
 
-	if (argc < 2)
-		usage_with_options(builtin_bundle_usage, options);
-
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "create"))
-		result = cmd_bundle_create(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "verify"))
-		result = cmd_bundle_verify(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "list-heads"))
-		result = cmd_bundle_list_heads(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "unbundle"))
-		result = cmd_bundle_unbundle(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else {
-		error(_("Unknown subcommand: %s"), argv[0]);
-		usage_with_options(builtin_bundle_usage, options);
-	}
-	return result ? 1 : 0;
+	return !!fn(argc, argv, prefix);
 }
diff --git a/builtin/commit-graph.c b/builtin/commit-graph.c
index 51c4040ea6..dc3cc35394 100644
--- a/builtin/commit-graph.c
+++ b/builtin/commit-graph.c
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ static struct option *add_common_options(struct option *to)
 	return parse_options_concat(common_opts, to);
 }
 
-static int graph_verify(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int graph_verify(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	struct commit_graph *graph = NULL;
 	struct object_directory *odb = NULL;
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ static int graph_verify(int argc, const char **argv)
 	trace2_cmd_mode("verify");
 
 	opts.progress = isatty(2);
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     options,
 			     builtin_commit_graph_verify_usage, 0);
 	if (argc)
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ static int git_commit_graph_write_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int graph_write(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int graph_write(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	struct string_list pack_indexes = STRING_LIST_INIT_DUP;
 	struct strbuf buf = STRBUF_INIT;
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ static int graph_write(int argc, const char **argv)
 
 	git_config(git_commit_graph_write_config, &opts);
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     options,
 			     builtin_commit_graph_write_usage, 0);
 	if (argc)
@@ -307,26 +307,22 @@ cleanup:
 
 int cmd_commit_graph(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
-	struct option *builtin_commit_graph_options = common_opts;
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
+	struct option builtin_commit_graph_options[] = {
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("verify", &fn, graph_verify),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("write", &fn, graph_write),
+		OPT_END(),
+	};
+	struct option *options = parse_options_concat(builtin_commit_graph_options, common_opts);
 
 	git_config(git_default_config, NULL);
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
-			     builtin_commit_graph_options,
-			     builtin_commit_graph_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION);
-	if (!argc)
-		goto usage;
 
 	read_replace_refs = 0;
 	save_commit_buffer = 0;
 
-	if (!strcmp(argv[0], "verify"))
-		return graph_verify(argc, argv);
-	else if (argc && !strcmp(argv[0], "write"))
-		return graph_write(argc, argv);
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_commit_graph_usage, 0);
+	FREE_AND_NULL(options);
 
-	error(_("unrecognized subcommand: %s"), argv[0]);
-usage:
-	usage_with_options(builtin_commit_graph_usage,
-			   builtin_commit_graph_options);
+	return fn(argc, argv, prefix);
 }
diff --git a/builtin/difftool.c b/builtin/difftool.c
index b3c509b8de..8706f68492 100644
--- a/builtin/difftool.c
+++ b/builtin/difftool.c
@@ -716,7 +716,7 @@ int cmd_difftool(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	symlinks = has_symlinks;
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, builtin_difftool_options,
-			     builtin_difftool_usage, PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN |
+			     builtin_difftool_usage, PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT |
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH);
 
 	if (tool_help)
diff --git a/builtin/env--helper.c b/builtin/env--helper.c
index 27349098b0..ea04c16636 100644
--- a/builtin/env--helper.c
+++ b/builtin/env--helper.c
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ int cmd_env__helper(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	};
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, opts, env__helper_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN);
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
 	if (env_default && !*env_default)
 		usage_with_options(env__helper_usage, opts);
 	if (!cmdmode)
diff --git a/builtin/fast-export.c b/builtin/fast-export.c
index e1748fb98b..bf3c20dea2 100644
--- a/builtin/fast-export.c
+++ b/builtin/fast-export.c
@@ -1221,7 +1221,7 @@ int cmd_fast_export(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	revs.sources = &revision_sources;
 	revs.rewrite_parents = 1;
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, fast_export_usage,
-			PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN);
+			PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
 	argc = setup_revisions(argc, argv, &revs, NULL);
 	if (argc > 1)
 		usage_with_options (fast_export_usage, options);
diff --git a/builtin/gc.c b/builtin/gc.c
index 6c22205217..eb567110e7 100644
--- a/builtin/gc.c
+++ b/builtin/gc.c
@@ -1459,14 +1459,28 @@ static char *get_maintpath(void)
 	return strbuf_detach(&sb, NULL);
 }
 
-static int maintenance_register(void)
+static char const * const builtin_maintenance_register_usage[] = {
+	N_("git maintenance register"),
+	NULL
+};
+
+static int maintenance_register(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_END(),
+	};
 	int rc;
 	char *config_value;
 	struct child_process config_set = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	struct child_process config_get = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	char *maintpath = get_maintpath();
 
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_maintenance_register_usage, 0);
+	if (argc)
+		usage_with_options(builtin_maintenance_register_usage,
+				   options);
+
 	/* Disable foreground maintenance */
 	git_config_set("maintenance.auto", "false");
 
@@ -1503,12 +1517,26 @@ done:
 	return rc;
 }
 
-static int maintenance_unregister(void)
+static char const * const builtin_maintenance_unregister_usage[] = {
+	N_("git maintenance unregister"),
+	NULL
+};
+
+static int maintenance_unregister(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_END(),
+	};
 	int rc;
 	struct child_process config_unset = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	char *maintpath = get_maintpath();
 
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_maintenance_unregister_usage, 0);
+	if (argc)
+		usage_with_options(builtin_maintenance_unregister_usage,
+				   options);
+
 	config_unset.git_cmd = 1;
 	strvec_pushl(&config_unset.args, "config", "--global", "--unset",
 		     "--fixed-value", "maintenance.repo", maintpath, NULL);
@@ -2490,6 +2518,7 @@ static int maintenance_start(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			PARSE_OPT_NONEG, maintenance_opt_scheduler),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
+	const char *register_args[] = { "register", NULL };
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
 			     builtin_maintenance_start_usage, 0);
@@ -2499,34 +2528,46 @@ static int maintenance_start(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	opts.scheduler = resolve_scheduler(opts.scheduler);
 	validate_scheduler(opts.scheduler);
 
-	if (maintenance_register())
+	if (maintenance_register(ARRAY_SIZE(register_args)-1, register_args, NULL))
 		warning(_("failed to add repo to global config"));
 	return update_background_schedule(&opts, 1);
 }
 
-static int maintenance_stop(void)
+static const char *const builtin_maintenance_stop_usage[] = {
+	N_("git maintenance stop"),
+	NULL
+};
+
+static int maintenance_stop(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_END()
+	};
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_maintenance_stop_usage, 0);
+	if (argc)
+		usage_with_options(builtin_maintenance_stop_usage, options);
 	return update_background_schedule(NULL, 0);
 }
 
-static const char builtin_maintenance_usage[] =	N_("git maintenance <subcommand> [<options>]");
+static const char * const builtin_maintenance_usage[] = {
+	N_("git maintenance <subcommand> [<options>]"),
+	NULL,
+};
 
 int cmd_maintenance(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
-	if (argc < 2 ||
-	    (argc == 2 && !strcmp(argv[1], "-h")))
-		usage(builtin_maintenance_usage);
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
+	struct option builtin_maintenance_options[] = {
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("run", &fn, maintenance_run),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("start", &fn, maintenance_start),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("stop", &fn, maintenance_stop),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("register", &fn, maintenance_register),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("unregister", &fn, maintenance_unregister),
+		OPT_END(),
+	};
 
-	if (!strcmp(argv[1], "run"))
-		return maintenance_run(argc - 1, argv + 1, prefix);
-	if (!strcmp(argv[1], "start"))
-		return maintenance_start(argc - 1, argv + 1, prefix);
-	if (!strcmp(argv[1], "stop"))
-		return maintenance_stop();
-	if (!strcmp(argv[1], "register"))
-		return maintenance_register();
-	if (!strcmp(argv[1], "unregister"))
-		return maintenance_unregister();
-
-	die(_("invalid subcommand: %s"), argv[1]);
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, builtin_maintenance_options,
+			     builtin_maintenance_usage, 0);
+	return fn(argc, argv, prefix);
 }
diff --git a/builtin/hook.c b/builtin/hook.c
index 54e5c6ec93..b6530d189a 100644
--- a/builtin/hook.c
+++ b/builtin/hook.c
@@ -67,18 +67,14 @@ usage:
 
 int cmd_hook(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
 	struct option builtin_hook_options[] = {
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("run", &fn, run),
 		OPT_END(),
 	};
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, builtin_hook_options,
-			     builtin_hook_usage, PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION);
-	if (!argc)
-		goto usage;
+			     builtin_hook_usage, 0);
 
-	if (!strcmp(argv[0], "run"))
-		return run(argc, argv, prefix);
-
-usage:
-	usage_with_options(builtin_hook_usage, builtin_hook_options);
+	return fn(argc, argv, prefix);
 }
diff --git a/builtin/log.c b/builtin/log.c
index fd209725e5..56e2d95e86 100644
--- a/builtin/log.c
+++ b/builtin/log.c
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ static void cmd_log_init_finish(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 	mailmap = use_mailmap_config;
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     builtin_log_options, builtin_log_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN |
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT |
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH);
 
 	if (quiet)
@@ -1989,7 +1989,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	 */
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, builtin_format_patch_options,
 			     builtin_format_patch_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN |
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT |
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH);
 
 	/* Make sure "0000-$sub.patch" gives non-negative length for $sub */
diff --git a/builtin/multi-pack-index.c b/builtin/multi-pack-index.c
index 8f24d59a75..248929f2e6 100644
--- a/builtin/multi-pack-index.c
+++ b/builtin/multi-pack-index.c
@@ -104,7 +104,8 @@ static void read_packs_from_stdin(struct string_list *to)
 	strbuf_release(&buf);
 }
 
-static int cmd_multi_pack_index_write(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int cmd_multi_pack_index_write(int argc, const char **argv,
+				      const char *prefix)
 {
 	struct option *options;
 	static struct option builtin_multi_pack_index_write_options[] = {
@@ -132,7 +133,7 @@ static int cmd_multi_pack_index_write(int argc, const char **argv)
 
 	if (isatty(2))
 		opts.flags |= MIDX_PROGRESS;
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     options, builtin_multi_pack_index_write_usage,
 			     0);
 	if (argc)
@@ -160,7 +161,8 @@ static int cmd_multi_pack_index_write(int argc, const char **argv)
 			       opts.refs_snapshot, opts.flags);
 }
 
-static int cmd_multi_pack_index_verify(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int cmd_multi_pack_index_verify(int argc, const char **argv,
+				       const char *prefix)
 {
 	struct option *options;
 	static struct option builtin_multi_pack_index_verify_options[] = {
@@ -174,7 +176,7 @@ static int cmd_multi_pack_index_verify(int argc, const char **argv)
 
 	if (isatty(2))
 		opts.flags |= MIDX_PROGRESS;
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     options, builtin_multi_pack_index_verify_usage,
 			     0);
 	if (argc)
@@ -186,7 +188,8 @@ static int cmd_multi_pack_index_verify(int argc, const char **argv)
 	return verify_midx_file(the_repository, opts.object_dir, opts.flags);
 }
 
-static int cmd_multi_pack_index_expire(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int cmd_multi_pack_index_expire(int argc, const char **argv,
+				       const char *prefix)
 {
 	struct option *options;
 	static struct option builtin_multi_pack_index_expire_options[] = {
@@ -200,7 +203,7 @@ static int cmd_multi_pack_index_expire(int argc, const char **argv)
 
 	if (isatty(2))
 		opts.flags |= MIDX_PROGRESS;
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     options, builtin_multi_pack_index_expire_usage,
 			     0);
 	if (argc)
@@ -212,7 +215,8 @@ static int cmd_multi_pack_index_expire(int argc, const char **argv)
 	return expire_midx_packs(the_repository, opts.object_dir, opts.flags);
 }
 
-static int cmd_multi_pack_index_repack(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int cmd_multi_pack_index_repack(int argc, const char **argv,
+				       const char *prefix)
 {
 	struct option *options;
 	static struct option builtin_multi_pack_index_repack_options[] = {
@@ -229,7 +233,7 @@ static int cmd_multi_pack_index_repack(int argc, const char **argv)
 
 	if (isatty(2))
 		opts.flags |= MIDX_PROGRESS;
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     options,
 			     builtin_multi_pack_index_repack_usage,
 			     0);
@@ -247,7 +251,15 @@ int cmd_multi_pack_index(int argc, const char **argv,
 			 const char *prefix)
 {
 	int res;
-	struct option *builtin_multi_pack_index_options = common_opts;
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
+	struct option builtin_multi_pack_index_options[] = {
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("repack", &fn, cmd_multi_pack_index_repack),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("write", &fn, cmd_multi_pack_index_write),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("verify", &fn, cmd_multi_pack_index_verify),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("expire", &fn, cmd_multi_pack_index_expire),
+		OPT_END(),
+	};
+	struct option *options = parse_options_concat(builtin_multi_pack_index_options, common_opts);
 
 	git_config(git_default_config, NULL);
 
@@ -256,31 +268,12 @@ int cmd_multi_pack_index(int argc, const char **argv,
 	    the_repository->objects->odb)
 		opts.object_dir = xstrdup(the_repository->objects->odb->path);
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
-			     builtin_multi_pack_index_options,
-			     builtin_multi_pack_index_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION);
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_multi_pack_index_usage, 0);
+	FREE_AND_NULL(options);
 
-	if (!argc)
-		goto usage;
-
-	if (!strcmp(argv[0], "repack"))
-		res = cmd_multi_pack_index_repack(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "write"))
-		res =  cmd_multi_pack_index_write(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "verify"))
-		res =  cmd_multi_pack_index_verify(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "expire"))
-		res =  cmd_multi_pack_index_expire(argc, argv);
-	else {
-		error(_("unrecognized subcommand: %s"), argv[0]);
-		goto usage;
-	}
+	res = fn(argc, argv, prefix);
 
 	free(opts.object_dir);
 	return res;
-
-usage:
-	usage_with_options(builtin_multi_pack_index_usage,
-			   builtin_multi_pack_index_options);
 }
diff --git a/builtin/notes.c b/builtin/notes.c
index a3d0d15a22..42cbae4659 100644
--- a/builtin/notes.c
+++ b/builtin/notes.c
@@ -994,17 +994,31 @@ static int get_ref(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 int cmd_notes(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
-	int result;
 	const char *override_notes_ref = NULL;
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = list;
 	struct option options[] = {
 		OPT_STRING(0, "ref", &override_notes_ref, N_("notes-ref"),
 			   N_("use notes from <notes-ref>")),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("list", &fn, list),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("add", &fn, add),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("copy", &fn, copy),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("append", &fn, append_edit),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("edit", &fn, append_edit),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("show", &fn, show),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("merge", &fn, merge),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("remove", &fn, remove_cmd),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("prune", &fn, prune),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("get-ref", &fn, get_ref),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
 
 	git_config(git_default_config, NULL);
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, git_notes_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION);
+			     PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL);
+	if (fn == list && argc && strcmp(argv[0], "list")) {
+		error(_("unknown subcommand: %s"), argv[0]);
+		usage_with_options(git_notes_usage, options);
+	}
 
 	if (override_notes_ref) {
 		struct strbuf sb = STRBUF_INIT;
@@ -1014,28 +1028,5 @@ int cmd_notes(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		strbuf_release(&sb);
 	}
 
-	if (argc < 1 || !strcmp(argv[0], "list"))
-		result = list(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "add"))
-		result = add(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "copy"))
-		result = copy(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "append") || !strcmp(argv[0], "edit"))
-		result = append_edit(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "show"))
-		result = show(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "merge"))
-		result = merge(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "remove"))
-		result = remove_cmd(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "prune"))
-		result = prune(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "get-ref"))
-		result = get_ref(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else {
-		result = error(_("unknown subcommand: %s"), argv[0]);
-		usage_with_options(git_notes_usage, options);
-	}
-
-	return result ? 1 : 0;
+	return !!fn(argc, argv, prefix);
 }
diff --git a/builtin/reflog.c b/builtin/reflog.c
index 8123956847..461c94f1b2 100644
--- a/builtin/reflog.c
+++ b/builtin/reflog.c
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ static int cmd_reflog_show(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, reflog_show_usage,
 		      PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 |
-		      PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN);
+		      PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
 
 	return cmd_log_reflog(argc, argv, prefix);
 }
@@ -408,40 +408,21 @@ static int cmd_reflog_exists(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 int cmd_reflog(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
 	struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("show", &fn, cmd_reflog_show),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("expire", &fn, cmd_reflog_expire),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("delete", &fn, cmd_reflog_delete),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("exists", &fn, cmd_reflog_exists),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, reflog_usage,
+			     PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL |
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 |
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN |
-			     PARSE_OPT_NO_INTERNAL_HELP);
-
-	/*
-	 * With "git reflog" we default to showing it. !argc is
-	 * impossible with PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0.
-	 */
-	if (argc == 1)
-		goto log_reflog;
-
-	if (!strcmp(argv[1], "-h"))
-		usage_with_options(reflog_usage, options);
-	else if (*argv[1] == '-')
-		goto log_reflog;
-
-	if (!strcmp(argv[1], "show"))
-		return cmd_reflog_show(argc - 1, argv + 1, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[1], "expire"))
-		return cmd_reflog_expire(argc - 1, argv + 1, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[1], "delete"))
-		return cmd_reflog_delete(argc - 1, argv + 1, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[1], "exists"))
-		return cmd_reflog_exists(argc - 1, argv + 1, prefix);
-
-	/*
-	 * Fall-through for e.g. "git reflog -1", "git reflog master",
-	 * as well as the plain "git reflog" above goto above.
-	 */
-log_reflog:
-	return cmd_log_reflog(argc, argv, prefix);
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
+	if (fn)
+		return fn(argc - 1, argv + 1, prefix);
+	else
+		return cmd_log_reflog(argc, argv, prefix);
 }
diff --git a/builtin/remote.c b/builtin/remote.c
index c713463d89..272c7b8d9e 100644
--- a/builtin/remote.c
+++ b/builtin/remote.c
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ static int parse_mirror_opt(const struct option *opt, const char *arg, int not)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int add(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	int fetch = 0, fetch_tags = TAGS_DEFAULT;
 	unsigned mirror = MIRROR_NONE;
@@ -177,8 +177,8 @@ static int add(int argc, const char **argv)
 		OPT_END()
 	};
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, builtin_remote_add_usage,
-			     0);
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_remote_add_usage, 0);
 
 	if (argc != 2)
 		usage_with_options(builtin_remote_add_usage, options);
@@ -680,7 +680,7 @@ static void handle_push_default(const char* old_name, const char* new_name)
 }
 
 
-static int mv(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int mv(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	int show_progress = isatty(2);
 	struct option options[] = {
@@ -695,7 +695,7 @@ static int mv(int argc, const char **argv)
 	int i, refs_renamed_nr = 0, refspec_updated = 0;
 	struct progress *progress = NULL;
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
 			     builtin_remote_rename_usage, 0);
 
 	if (argc != 2)
@@ -844,7 +844,7 @@ static int mv(int argc, const char **argv)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int rm(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int rm(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	struct option options[] = {
 		OPT_END()
@@ -862,12 +862,14 @@ static int rm(int argc, const char **argv)
 	cb_data.skipped = &skipped;
 	cb_data.keep = &known_remotes;
 
-	if (argc != 2)
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_remote_rm_usage, 0);
+	if (argc != 1)
 		usage_with_options(builtin_remote_rm_usage, options);
 
-	remote = remote_get(argv[1]);
+	remote = remote_get(argv[0]);
 	if (!remote_is_configured(remote, 1)) {
-		error(_("No such remote: '%s'"), argv[1]);
+		error(_("No such remote: '%s'"), argv[0]);
 		exit(2);
 	}
 
@@ -1254,7 +1256,7 @@ static int show_all(void)
 	return result;
 }
 
-static int show(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int show(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	int no_query = 0, result = 0, query_flag = 0;
 	struct option options[] = {
@@ -1263,7 +1265,8 @@ static int show(int argc, const char **argv)
 	};
 	struct show_info info = SHOW_INFO_INIT;
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, builtin_remote_show_usage,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_remote_show_usage,
 			     0);
 
 	if (argc < 1)
@@ -1357,7 +1360,7 @@ static int show(int argc, const char **argv)
 	return result;
 }
 
-static int set_head(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int set_head(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	int i, opt_a = 0, opt_d = 0, result = 0;
 	struct strbuf buf = STRBUF_INIT, buf2 = STRBUF_INIT;
@@ -1370,8 +1373,8 @@ static int set_head(int argc, const char **argv)
 			 N_("delete refs/remotes/<name>/HEAD")),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, builtin_remote_sethead_usage,
-			     0);
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_remote_sethead_usage, 0);
 	if (argc)
 		strbuf_addf(&buf, "refs/remotes/%s/HEAD", argv[0]);
 
@@ -1462,7 +1465,7 @@ static int prune_remote(const char *remote, int dry_run)
 	return result;
 }
 
-static int prune(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int prune(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	int dry_run = 0, result = 0;
 	struct option options[] = {
@@ -1470,8 +1473,8 @@ static int prune(int argc, const char **argv)
 		OPT_END()
 	};
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, builtin_remote_prune_usage,
-			     0);
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_remote_prune_usage, 0);
 
 	if (argc < 1)
 		usage_with_options(builtin_remote_prune_usage, options);
@@ -1491,7 +1494,7 @@ static int get_remote_default(const char *key, const char *value, void *priv)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int update(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int update(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	int i, prune = -1;
 	struct option options[] = {
@@ -1503,7 +1506,8 @@ static int update(int argc, const char **argv)
 	int default_defined = 0;
 	int retval;
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, builtin_remote_update_usage,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_remote_update_usage,
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0);
 
 	strvec_push(&fetch_argv, "fetch");
@@ -1574,7 +1578,7 @@ static int set_remote_branches(const char *remotename, const char **branches,
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int set_branches(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int set_branches(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	int add_mode = 0;
 	struct option options[] = {
@@ -1582,7 +1586,7 @@ static int set_branches(int argc, const char **argv)
 		OPT_END()
 	};
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
 			     builtin_remote_setbranches_usage, 0);
 	if (argc == 0) {
 		error(_("no remote specified"));
@@ -1593,7 +1597,7 @@ static int set_branches(int argc, const char **argv)
 	return set_remote_branches(argv[0], argv + 1, add_mode);
 }
 
-static int get_url(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int get_url(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	int i, push_mode = 0, all_mode = 0;
 	const char *remotename = NULL;
@@ -1607,7 +1611,8 @@ static int get_url(int argc, const char **argv)
 			 N_("return all URLs")),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, builtin_remote_geturl_usage, 0);
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_remote_geturl_usage, 0);
 
 	if (argc != 1)
 		usage_with_options(builtin_remote_geturl_usage, options);
@@ -1646,7 +1651,7 @@ static int get_url(int argc, const char **argv)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int set_url(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int set_url(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	int i, push_mode = 0, add_mode = 0, delete_mode = 0;
 	int matches = 0, negative_matches = 0;
@@ -1667,7 +1672,8 @@ static int set_url(int argc, const char **argv)
 			    N_("delete URLs")),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, builtin_remote_seturl_usage,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
+			     builtin_remote_seturl_usage,
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0);
 
 	if (add_mode && delete_mode)
@@ -1738,41 +1744,33 @@ out:
 
 int cmd_remote(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
 	struct option options[] = {
 		OPT__VERBOSE(&verbose, N_("be verbose; must be placed before a subcommand")),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("add", &fn, add),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("rename", &fn, mv),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND_F("rm", &fn, rm, PARSE_OPT_NOCOMPLETE),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("remove", &fn, rm),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("set-head", &fn, set_head),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("set-branches", &fn, set_branches),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("get-url", &fn, get_url),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("set-url", &fn, set_url),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("show", &fn, show),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("prune", &fn, prune),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("update", &fn, update),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
-	int result;
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, builtin_remote_usage,
-		PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION);
+			     PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL);
 
-	if (argc < 1)
-		result = show_all();
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "add"))
-		result = add(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "rename"))
-		result = mv(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "rm") || !strcmp(argv[0], "remove"))
-		result = rm(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "set-head"))
-		result = set_head(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "set-branches"))
-		result = set_branches(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "get-url"))
-		result = get_url(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "set-url"))
-		result = set_url(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "show"))
-		result = show(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "prune"))
-		result = prune(argc, argv);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "update"))
-		result = update(argc, argv);
-	else {
-		error(_("Unknown subcommand: %s"), argv[0]);
-		usage_with_options(builtin_remote_usage, options);
+	if (fn) {
+		return !!fn(argc, argv, prefix);
+	} else {
+		if (argc) {
+			error(_("unknown subcommand: %s"), argv[0]);
+			usage_with_options(builtin_remote_usage, options);
+		}
+		return !!show_all();
 	}
-
-	return result ? 1 : 0;
 }
diff --git a/builtin/revert.c b/builtin/revert.c
index 2554f9099c..ee2a0807f0 100644
--- a/builtin/revert.c
+++ b/builtin/revert.c
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ static int run_sequencer(int argc, const char **argv, struct replay_opts *opts)
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, usage_str,
 			PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 |
-			PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN);
+			PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
 
 	prepare_repo_settings(the_repository);
 	the_repository->settings.command_requires_full_index = 0;
diff --git a/builtin/shortlog.c b/builtin/shortlog.c
index 086dfee45a..7a1e1fe7c0 100644
--- a/builtin/shortlog.c
+++ b/builtin/shortlog.c
@@ -381,6 +381,7 @@ int cmd_shortlog(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			break;
 		case PARSE_OPT_HELP:
 		case PARSE_OPT_ERROR:
+		case PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND:
 			exit(129);
 		case PARSE_OPT_COMPLETE:
 			exit(0);
diff --git a/builtin/sparse-checkout.c b/builtin/sparse-checkout.c
index f91e29b56a..287716db68 100644
--- a/builtin/sparse-checkout.c
+++ b/builtin/sparse-checkout.c
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ static char const * const builtin_sparse_checkout_list_usage[] = {
 	NULL
 };
 
-static int sparse_checkout_list(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int sparse_checkout_list(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	static struct option builtin_sparse_checkout_list_options[] = {
 		OPT_END(),
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ static int sparse_checkout_list(int argc, const char **argv)
 	if (!core_apply_sparse_checkout)
 		die(_("this worktree is not sparse"));
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_list_options,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_list_usage, 0);
 
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ static struct sparse_checkout_init_opts {
 	int sparse_index;
 } init_opts;
 
-static int sparse_checkout_init(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int sparse_checkout_init(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	struct pattern_list pl;
 	char *sparse_filename;
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ static int sparse_checkout_init(int argc, const char **argv)
 	init_opts.cone_mode = -1;
 	init_opts.sparse_index = -1;
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_init_options,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_init_usage, 0);
 
@@ -767,7 +767,7 @@ static int sparse_checkout_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_add_options,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_add_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN);
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
 
 	sanitize_paths(argc, argv, prefix, add_opts.skip_checks);
 
@@ -813,7 +813,7 @@ static int sparse_checkout_set(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_set_options,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_set_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN);
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
 
 	if (update_modes(&set_opts.cone_mode, &set_opts.sparse_index))
 		return 1;
@@ -843,7 +843,8 @@ static struct sparse_checkout_reapply_opts {
 	int sparse_index;
 } reapply_opts;
 
-static int sparse_checkout_reapply(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int sparse_checkout_reapply(int argc, const char **argv,
+				   const char *prefix)
 {
 	static struct option builtin_sparse_checkout_reapply_options[] = {
 		OPT_BOOL(0, "cone", &reapply_opts.cone_mode,
@@ -859,7 +860,7 @@ static int sparse_checkout_reapply(int argc, const char **argv)
 	reapply_opts.cone_mode = -1;
 	reapply_opts.sparse_index = -1;
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_reapply_options,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_reapply_usage, 0);
 
@@ -876,7 +877,8 @@ static char const * const builtin_sparse_checkout_disable_usage[] = {
 	NULL
 };
 
-static int sparse_checkout_disable(int argc, const char **argv)
+static int sparse_checkout_disable(int argc, const char **argv,
+				   const char *prefix)
 {
 	static struct option builtin_sparse_checkout_disable_options[] = {
 		OPT_END(),
@@ -895,7 +897,7 @@ static int sparse_checkout_disable(int argc, const char **argv)
 	 * forcibly return to a dense checkout regardless of initial state.
 	 */
 
-	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL,
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_disable_options,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_disable_usage, 0);
 
@@ -922,39 +924,25 @@ static int sparse_checkout_disable(int argc, const char **argv)
 
 int cmd_sparse_checkout(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
-	static struct option builtin_sparse_checkout_options[] = {
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
+	struct option builtin_sparse_checkout_options[] = {
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("list", &fn, sparse_checkout_list),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("init", &fn, sparse_checkout_init),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("set", &fn, sparse_checkout_set),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("add", &fn, sparse_checkout_add),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("reapply", &fn, sparse_checkout_reapply),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("disable", &fn, sparse_checkout_disable),
 		OPT_END(),
 	};
 
-	if (argc == 2 && !strcmp(argv[1], "-h"))
-		usage_with_options(builtin_sparse_checkout_usage,
-				   builtin_sparse_checkout_options);
-
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     builtin_sparse_checkout_options,
-			     builtin_sparse_checkout_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION);
+			     builtin_sparse_checkout_usage, 0);
 
 	git_config(git_default_config, NULL);
 
 	prepare_repo_settings(the_repository);
 	the_repository->settings.command_requires_full_index = 0;
 
-	if (argc > 0) {
-		if (!strcmp(argv[0], "list"))
-			return sparse_checkout_list(argc, argv);
-		if (!strcmp(argv[0], "init"))
-			return sparse_checkout_init(argc, argv);
-		if (!strcmp(argv[0], "set"))
-			return sparse_checkout_set(argc, argv, prefix);
-		if (!strcmp(argv[0], "add"))
-			return sparse_checkout_add(argc, argv, prefix);
-		if (!strcmp(argv[0], "reapply"))
-			return sparse_checkout_reapply(argc, argv);
-		if (!strcmp(argv[0], "disable"))
-			return sparse_checkout_disable(argc, argv);
-	}
-
-	usage_with_options(builtin_sparse_checkout_usage,
-			   builtin_sparse_checkout_options);
+	return fn(argc, argv, prefix);
 }
diff --git a/builtin/stash.c b/builtin/stash.c
index 30fa101460..1ba24c1173 100644
--- a/builtin/stash.c
+++ b/builtin/stash.c
@@ -782,7 +782,7 @@ static int list_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
 			     git_stash_list_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN);
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
 
 	if (!ref_exists(ref_stash))
 		return 0;
@@ -873,7 +873,7 @@ static int show_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	init_revisions(&rev, prefix);
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, git_stash_show_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN |
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT |
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH);
 
 	strvec_push(&revision_args, argv[0]);
@@ -979,7 +979,7 @@ static int store_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
 			     git_stash_store_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN);
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
 
 	if (argc != 1) {
 		if (!quiet)
@@ -1739,6 +1739,11 @@ static int push_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 			     include_untracked, only_staged);
 }
 
+static int push_stash_unassumed(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
+{
+	return push_stash(argc, argv, prefix, 0);
+}
+
 static int save_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
 	int keep_index = -1;
@@ -1787,15 +1792,28 @@ int cmd_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	pid_t pid = getpid();
 	const char *index_file;
 	struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
-
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
 	struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("apply", &fn, apply_stash),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("clear", &fn, clear_stash),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("drop", &fn, drop_stash),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("pop", &fn, pop_stash),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("branch", &fn, branch_stash),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("list", &fn, list_stash),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("show", &fn, show_stash),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("store", &fn, store_stash),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("create", &fn, create_stash),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("push", &fn, push_stash_unassumed),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND_F("save", &fn, save_stash, PARSE_OPT_NOCOMPLETE),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
 
 	git_config(git_stash_config, NULL);
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, git_stash_usage,
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH);
+			     PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL |
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT |
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH);
 
 	prepare_repo_settings(the_repository);
 	the_repository->settings.command_requires_full_index = 0;
@@ -1804,33 +1822,10 @@ int cmd_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	strbuf_addf(&stash_index_path, "%s.stash.%" PRIuMAX, index_file,
 		    (uintmax_t)pid);
 
-	if (!argc)
-		return !!push_stash(0, NULL, prefix, 0);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "apply"))
-		return !!apply_stash(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "clear"))
-		return !!clear_stash(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "drop"))
-		return !!drop_stash(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "pop"))
-		return !!pop_stash(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "branch"))
-		return !!branch_stash(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "list"))
-		return !!list_stash(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "show"))
-		return !!show_stash(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "store"))
-		return !!store_stash(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "create"))
-		return !!create_stash(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "push"))
-		return !!push_stash(argc, argv, prefix, 0);
-	else if (!strcmp(argv[0], "save"))
-		return !!save_stash(argc, argv, prefix);
-	else if (*argv[0] != '-')
-		usage_msg_optf(_("unknown subcommand: %s"),
-			       git_stash_usage, options, argv[0]);
+	if (fn)
+		return !!fn(argc, argv, prefix);
+	else if (!argc)
+		return !!push_stash_unassumed(0, NULL, prefix);
 
 	/* Assume 'stash push' */
 	strvec_push(&args, "push");
diff --git a/builtin/worktree.c b/builtin/worktree.c
index cd62eef240..c6710b2552 100644
--- a/builtin/worktree.c
+++ b/builtin/worktree.c
@@ -1112,31 +1112,24 @@ static int repair(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 
 int cmd_worktree(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 {
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
 	struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("add", &fn, add),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("prune", &fn, prune),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("list", &fn, list),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("lock", &fn, lock_worktree),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("unlock", &fn, unlock_worktree),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("move", &fn, move_worktree),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("remove", &fn, remove_worktree),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("repair", &fn, repair),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
 
 	git_config(git_worktree_config, NULL);
 
-	if (ac < 2)
-		usage_with_options(worktree_usage, options);
 	if (!prefix)
 		prefix = "";
-	if (!strcmp(av[1], "add"))
-		return add(ac - 1, av + 1, prefix);
-	if (!strcmp(av[1], "prune"))
-		return prune(ac - 1, av + 1, prefix);
-	if (!strcmp(av[1], "list"))
-		return list(ac - 1, av + 1, prefix);
-	if (!strcmp(av[1], "lock"))
-		return lock_worktree(ac - 1, av + 1, prefix);
-	if (!strcmp(av[1], "unlock"))
-		return unlock_worktree(ac - 1, av + 1, prefix);
-	if (!strcmp(av[1], "move"))
-		return move_worktree(ac - 1, av + 1, prefix);
-	if (!strcmp(av[1], "remove"))
-		return remove_worktree(ac - 1, av + 1, prefix);
-	if (!strcmp(av[1], "repair"))
-		return repair(ac - 1, av + 1, prefix);
-	usage_with_options(worktree_usage, options);
+
+	ac = parse_options(ac, av, prefix, options, worktree_usage, 0);
+	return fn(ac, av, prefix);
 }
diff --git a/diff.c b/diff.c
index 974626a621..dd68281ba4 100644
--- a/diff.c
+++ b/diff.c
@@ -5661,7 +5661,7 @@ int diff_opt_parse(struct diff_options *options,
 
 	ac = parse_options(ac, av, prefix, options->parseopts, NULL,
 			   PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH |
-			   PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN |
+			   PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT |
 			   PARSE_OPT_NO_INTERNAL_HELP |
 			   PARSE_OPT_ONE_SHOT |
 			   PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION);
diff --git a/git.c b/git.c
index 0b9d8ef767..da411c5382 100644
--- a/git.c
+++ b/git.c
@@ -489,14 +489,14 @@ static int run_builtin(struct cmd_struct *p, int argc, const char **argv)
 static struct cmd_struct commands[] = {
 	{ "add", cmd_add, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE },
 	{ "am", cmd_am, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE },
-	{ "annotate", cmd_annotate, RUN_SETUP | NO_PARSEOPT },
+	{ "annotate", cmd_annotate, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "apply", cmd_apply, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY },
 	{ "archive", cmd_archive, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY },
 	{ "bisect--helper", cmd_bisect__helper, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "blame", cmd_blame, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "branch", cmd_branch, RUN_SETUP | DELAY_PAGER_CONFIG },
 	{ "bugreport", cmd_bugreport, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY },
-	{ "bundle", cmd_bundle, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY | NO_PARSEOPT },
+	{ "bundle", cmd_bundle, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY },
 	{ "cat-file", cmd_cat_file, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "check-attr", cmd_check_attr, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "check-ignore", cmd_check_ignore, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE },
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ static struct cmd_struct commands[] = {
 	{ "column", cmd_column, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY },
 	{ "commit", cmd_commit, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE },
 	{ "commit-graph", cmd_commit_graph, RUN_SETUP },
-	{ "commit-tree", cmd_commit_tree, RUN_SETUP | NO_PARSEOPT },
+	{ "commit-tree", cmd_commit_tree, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "config", cmd_config, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY | DELAY_PAGER_CONFIG },
 	{ "count-objects", cmd_count_objects, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "credential", cmd_credential, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY | NO_PARSEOPT },
@@ -554,9 +554,9 @@ static struct cmd_struct commands[] = {
 	{ "ls-files", cmd_ls_files, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "ls-remote", cmd_ls_remote, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY },
 	{ "ls-tree", cmd_ls_tree, RUN_SETUP },
-	{ "mailinfo", cmd_mailinfo, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY | NO_PARSEOPT },
+	{ "mailinfo", cmd_mailinfo, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY },
 	{ "mailsplit", cmd_mailsplit, NO_PARSEOPT },
-	{ "maintenance", cmd_maintenance, RUN_SETUP | NO_PARSEOPT },
+	{ "maintenance", cmd_maintenance, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "merge", cmd_merge, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE },
 	{ "merge-base", cmd_merge_base, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "merge-file", cmd_merge_file, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY },
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ static struct cmd_struct commands[] = {
 	{ "merge-recursive-theirs", cmd_merge_recursive, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE | NO_PARSEOPT },
 	{ "merge-subtree", cmd_merge_recursive, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE | NO_PARSEOPT },
 	{ "merge-tree", cmd_merge_tree, RUN_SETUP },
-	{ "mktag", cmd_mktag, RUN_SETUP | NO_PARSEOPT },
+	{ "mktag", cmd_mktag, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "mktree", cmd_mktree, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "multi-pack-index", cmd_multi_pack_index, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "mv", cmd_mv, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE },
@@ -628,7 +628,7 @@ static struct cmd_struct commands[] = {
 	{ "verify-tag", cmd_verify_tag, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "version", cmd_version },
 	{ "whatchanged", cmd_whatchanged, RUN_SETUP },
-	{ "worktree", cmd_worktree, RUN_SETUP | NO_PARSEOPT },
+	{ "worktree", cmd_worktree, RUN_SETUP },
 	{ "write-tree", cmd_write_tree, RUN_SETUP },
 };
 
diff --git a/parse-options.c b/parse-options.c
index edf55d3ef5..a1ec932f0f 100644
--- a/parse-options.c
+++ b/parse-options.c
@@ -324,6 +324,8 @@ static enum parse_opt_result parse_long_opt(
 		const char *rest, *long_name = options->long_name;
 		enum opt_parsed flags = OPT_LONG, opt_flags = OPT_LONG;
 
+		if (options->type == OPTION_SUBCOMMAND)
+			continue;
 		if (!long_name)
 			continue;
 
@@ -332,7 +334,7 @@ again:
 			rest = NULL;
 		if (!rest) {
 			/* abbreviated? */
-			if (!(p->flags & PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN) &&
+			if (!(p->flags & PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT) &&
 			    !strncmp(long_name, arg, arg_end - arg)) {
 is_abbreviated:
 				if (abbrev_option &&
@@ -419,6 +421,19 @@ static enum parse_opt_result parse_nodash_opt(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *p,
 	return PARSE_OPT_ERROR;
 }
 
+static enum parse_opt_result parse_subcommand(const char *arg,
+					      const struct option *options)
+{
+	for (; options->type != OPTION_END; options++)
+		if (options->type == OPTION_SUBCOMMAND &&
+		    !strcmp(options->long_name, arg)) {
+			*(parse_opt_subcommand_fn **)options->value = options->subcommand_fn;
+			return PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND;
+		}
+
+	return PARSE_OPT_UNKNOWN;
+}
+
 static void check_typos(const char *arg, const struct option *options)
 {
 	if (strlen(arg) < 3)
@@ -442,6 +457,7 @@ static void check_typos(const char *arg, const struct option *options)
 static void parse_options_check(const struct option *opts)
 {
 	char short_opts[128];
+	void *subcommand_value = NULL;
 
 	memset(short_opts, '\0', sizeof(short_opts));
 	for (; opts->type != OPTION_END; opts++) {
@@ -489,6 +505,14 @@ static void parse_options_check(const struct option *opts)
 			       "Are you using parse_options_step() directly?\n"
 			       "That case is not supported yet.");
 			break;
+		case OPTION_SUBCOMMAND:
+			if (!opts->value || !opts->subcommand_fn)
+				optbug(opts, "OPTION_SUBCOMMAND needs a value and a subcommand function");
+			if (!subcommand_value)
+				subcommand_value = opts->value;
+			else if (subcommand_value != opts->value)
+				optbug(opts, "all OPTION_SUBCOMMANDs need the same value");
+			break;
 		default:
 			; /* ok. (usually accepts an argument) */
 		}
@@ -499,6 +523,14 @@ static void parse_options_check(const struct option *opts)
 	BUG_if_bug("invalid 'struct option'");
 }
 
+static int has_subcommands(const struct option *options)
+{
+	for (; options->type != OPTION_END; options++)
+		if (options->type == OPTION_SUBCOMMAND)
+			return 1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
 static void parse_options_start_1(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
 				  int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 				  const struct option *options,
@@ -515,7 +547,20 @@ static void parse_options_start_1(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
 	ctx->prefix = prefix;
 	ctx->cpidx = ((flags & PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0) != 0);
 	ctx->flags = flags;
-	if ((flags & PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN) &&
+	ctx->has_subcommands = has_subcommands(options);
+	if (!ctx->has_subcommands && (flags & PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL))
+		BUG("Using PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL without subcommands");
+	if (ctx->has_subcommands) {
+		if (flags & PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION)
+			BUG("subcommands are incompatible with PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION");
+		if (!(flags & PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL)) {
+			if (flags & PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT)
+				BUG("subcommands are incompatible with PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT unless in combination with PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL");
+			if (flags & PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH)
+				BUG("subcommands are incompatible with PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH unless in combination with PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL");
+		}
+	}
+	if ((flags & PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT) &&
 	    (flags & PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION) &&
 	    !(flags & PARSE_OPT_ONE_SHOT))
 		BUG("STOP_AT_NON_OPTION and KEEP_UNKNOWN don't go together");
@@ -589,6 +634,7 @@ static int show_gitcomp(const struct option *opts, int show_all)
 	int nr_noopts = 0;
 
 	for (; opts->type != OPTION_END; opts++) {
+		const char *prefix = "--";
 		const char *suffix = "";
 
 		if (!opts->long_name)
@@ -598,6 +644,9 @@ static int show_gitcomp(const struct option *opts, int show_all)
 			continue;
 
 		switch (opts->type) {
+		case OPTION_SUBCOMMAND:
+			prefix = "";
+			break;
 		case OPTION_GROUP:
 			continue;
 		case OPTION_STRING:
@@ -620,7 +669,8 @@ static int show_gitcomp(const struct option *opts, int show_all)
 			suffix = "=";
 		if (starts_with(opts->long_name, "no-"))
 			nr_noopts++;
-		printf(" --%s%s", opts->long_name, suffix);
+		printf("%s%s%s%s", opts == original_opts ? "" : " ",
+		       prefix, opts->long_name, suffix);
 	}
 	show_negated_gitcomp(original_opts, show_all, -1);
 	show_negated_gitcomp(original_opts, show_all, nr_noopts);
@@ -743,10 +793,38 @@ enum parse_opt_result parse_options_step(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
 		if (*arg != '-' || !arg[1]) {
 			if (parse_nodash_opt(ctx, arg, options) == 0)
 				continue;
-			if (ctx->flags & PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION)
-				return PARSE_OPT_NON_OPTION;
-			ctx->out[ctx->cpidx++] = ctx->argv[0];
-			continue;
+			if (!ctx->has_subcommands) {
+				if (ctx->flags & PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION)
+					return PARSE_OPT_NON_OPTION;
+				ctx->out[ctx->cpidx++] = ctx->argv[0];
+				continue;
+			}
+			switch (parse_subcommand(arg, options)) {
+			case PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND:
+				return PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND;
+			case PARSE_OPT_UNKNOWN:
+				if (ctx->flags & PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL)
+					/*
+					 * arg is neither a short or long
+					 * option nor a subcommand.  Since
+					 * this command has a default
+					 * operation mode, we have to treat
+					 * this arg and all remaining args
+					 * as args meant to that default
+					 * operation mode.
+					 * So we are done parsing.
+					 */
+					return PARSE_OPT_DONE;
+				error(_("unknown subcommand: `%s'"), arg);
+				usage_with_options(usagestr, options);
+			case PARSE_OPT_COMPLETE:
+			case PARSE_OPT_HELP:
+			case PARSE_OPT_ERROR:
+			case PARSE_OPT_DONE:
+			case PARSE_OPT_NON_OPTION:
+				/* Impossible. */
+				BUG("parse_subcommand() cannot return these");
+			}
 		}
 
 		/* lone -h asks for help */
@@ -774,6 +852,7 @@ enum parse_opt_result parse_options_step(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
 					goto show_usage;
 				goto unknown;
 			case PARSE_OPT_NON_OPTION:
+			case PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND:
 			case PARSE_OPT_HELP:
 			case PARSE_OPT_COMPLETE:
 				BUG("parse_short_opt() cannot return these");
@@ -799,6 +878,7 @@ enum parse_opt_result parse_options_step(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
 					*(char *)ctx->argv[0] = '-';
 					goto unknown;
 				case PARSE_OPT_NON_OPTION:
+				case PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND:
 				case PARSE_OPT_COMPLETE:
 				case PARSE_OPT_HELP:
 					BUG("parse_short_opt() cannot return these");
@@ -830,6 +910,7 @@ enum parse_opt_result parse_options_step(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
 		case PARSE_OPT_HELP:
 			goto show_usage;
 		case PARSE_OPT_NON_OPTION:
+		case PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND:
 		case PARSE_OPT_COMPLETE:
 			BUG("parse_long_opt() cannot return these");
 		case PARSE_OPT_DONE:
@@ -839,7 +920,19 @@ enum parse_opt_result parse_options_step(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
 unknown:
 		if (ctx->flags & PARSE_OPT_ONE_SHOT)
 			break;
-		if (!(ctx->flags & PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN))
+		if (ctx->has_subcommands &&
+		    (ctx->flags & PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL) &&
+		    (ctx->flags & PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT)) {
+			/*
+			 * Found an unknown option given to a command with
+			 * subcommands that has a default operation mode:
+			 * we treat this option and all remaining args as
+			 * arguments meant to that default operation mode.
+			 * So we are done parsing.
+			 */
+			return PARSE_OPT_DONE;
+		}
+		if (!(ctx->flags & PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT))
 			return PARSE_OPT_UNKNOWN;
 		ctx->out[ctx->cpidx++] = ctx->argv[0];
 		ctx->opt = NULL;
@@ -884,7 +977,14 @@ int parse_options(int argc, const char **argv,
 	case PARSE_OPT_COMPLETE:
 		exit(0);
 	case PARSE_OPT_NON_OPTION:
+	case PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND:
+		break;
 	case PARSE_OPT_DONE:
+		if (ctx.has_subcommands &&
+		    !(flags & PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL)) {
+			error(_("need a subcommand"));
+			usage_with_options(usagestr, options);
+		}
 		break;
 	case PARSE_OPT_UNKNOWN:
 		if (ctx.argv[0][1] == '-') {
@@ -1009,6 +1109,8 @@ static enum parse_opt_result usage_with_options_internal(struct parse_opt_ctx_t
 		size_t pos;
 		int pad;
 
+		if (opts->type == OPTION_SUBCOMMAND)
+			continue;
 		if (opts->type == OPTION_GROUP) {
 			fputc('\n', outfile);
 			need_newline = 0;
diff --git a/parse-options.h b/parse-options.h
index 685fccac13..b6ef86e0d1 100644
--- a/parse-options.h
+++ b/parse-options.h
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ enum parse_opt_type {
 	OPTION_GROUP,
 	OPTION_NUMBER,
 	OPTION_ALIAS,
+	OPTION_SUBCOMMAND,
 	/* options with no arguments */
 	OPTION_BIT,
 	OPTION_NEGBIT,
@@ -30,10 +31,11 @@ enum parse_opt_flags {
 	PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH = 1 << 0,
 	PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION = 1 << 1,
 	PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 = 1 << 2,
-	PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN = 1 << 3,
+	PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT = 1 << 3,
 	PARSE_OPT_NO_INTERNAL_HELP = 1 << 4,
 	PARSE_OPT_ONE_SHOT = 1 << 5,
 	PARSE_OPT_SHELL_EVAL = 1 << 6,
+	PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL = 1 << 7,
 };
 
 enum parse_opt_option_flags {
@@ -56,6 +58,7 @@ enum parse_opt_result {
 	PARSE_OPT_ERROR = -1,	/* must be the same as error() */
 	PARSE_OPT_DONE = 0,	/* fixed so that "return 0" works */
 	PARSE_OPT_NON_OPTION,
+	PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND,
 	PARSE_OPT_UNKNOWN
 };
 
@@ -67,6 +70,9 @@ typedef enum parse_opt_result parse_opt_ll_cb(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
 					      const struct option *opt,
 					      const char *arg, int unset);
 
+typedef int parse_opt_subcommand_fn(int argc, const char **argv,
+				    const char *prefix);
+
 /*
  * `type`::
  *   holds the type of the option, you must have an OPTION_END last in your
@@ -76,7 +82,8 @@ typedef enum parse_opt_result parse_opt_ll_cb(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
  *   the character to use as a short option name, '\0' if none.
  *
  * `long_name`::
- *   the long option name, without the leading dashes, NULL if none.
+ *   the long option (without the leading dashes) or subcommand name,
+ *   NULL if none.
  *
  * `value`::
  *   stores pointers to the values to be filled.
@@ -93,7 +100,7 @@ typedef enum parse_opt_result parse_opt_ll_cb(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
  *
  * `help`::
  *   the short help associated to what the option does.
- *   Must never be NULL (except for OPTION_END).
+ *   Must never be NULL (except for OPTION_END and OPTION_SUBCOMMAND).
  *   OPTION_GROUP uses this pointer to store the group header.
  *   Should be wrapped by N_() for translation.
  *
@@ -109,7 +116,8 @@ typedef enum parse_opt_result parse_opt_ll_cb(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
  *				is last on the command line. If the option is
  *				not last it will require an argument.
  *				Should not be used with PARSE_OPT_OPTARG.
- *   PARSE_OPT_NODASH: this option doesn't start with a dash.
+ *   PARSE_OPT_NODASH: this option doesn't start with a dash; can only be a
+ *		       short option and can't accept arguments.
  *   PARSE_OPT_LITERAL_ARGHELP: says that argh shouldn't be enclosed in brackets
  *				(i.e. '<argh>') in the help message.
  *				Useful for options with multiple parameters.
@@ -130,6 +138,9 @@ typedef enum parse_opt_result parse_opt_ll_cb(struct parse_opt_ctx_t *ctx,
  * `ll_callback`::
  *   pointer to the callback to use for OPTION_LOWLEVEL_CALLBACK
  *
+ * `subcommand_fn`::
+ *   pointer to a function to use for OPTION_SUBCOMMAND.
+ *   It will be put in value when the subcommand is given on the command line.
  */
 struct option {
 	enum parse_opt_type type;
@@ -144,6 +155,7 @@ struct option {
 	intptr_t defval;
 	parse_opt_ll_cb *ll_callback;
 	intptr_t extra;
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *subcommand_fn;
 };
 
 #define OPT_BIT_F(s, l, v, h, b, f) { OPTION_BIT, (s), (l), (v), NULL, (h), \
@@ -205,6 +217,14 @@ struct option {
 #define OPT_ALIAS(s, l, source_long_name) \
 	{ OPTION_ALIAS, (s), (l), (source_long_name) }
 
+#define OPT_SUBCOMMAND_F(l, v, fn, f) { \
+	.type = OPTION_SUBCOMMAND, \
+	.long_name = (l), \
+	.value = (v), \
+	.flags = (f), \
+	.subcommand_fn = (fn) }
+#define OPT_SUBCOMMAND(l, v, fn)    OPT_SUBCOMMAND_F((l), (v), (fn), 0)
+
 /*
  * parse_options() will filter out the processed options and leave the
  * non-option arguments in argv[]. argv0 is assumed program name and
@@ -294,6 +314,7 @@ struct parse_opt_ctx_t {
 	int argc, cpidx, total;
 	const char *opt;
 	enum parse_opt_flags flags;
+	unsigned has_subcommands;
 	const char *prefix;
 	const char **alias_groups; /* must be in groups of 3 elements! */
 	struct option *updated_options;
diff --git a/t/helper/test-parse-options.c b/t/helper/test-parse-options.c
index 48d3cf6692..aa0ad45851 100644
--- a/t/helper/test-parse-options.c
+++ b/t/helper/test-parse-options.c
@@ -192,3 +192,130 @@ int cmd__parse_options(int argc, const char **argv)
 
 	return ret;
 }
+
+static void print_args(int argc, const char **argv)
+{
+	for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++)
+		printf("arg %02d: %s\n", i, argv[i]);
+}
+
+static int parse_options_flags__cmd(int argc, const char **argv,
+				    enum parse_opt_flags test_flags)
+{
+	const char *usage[] = {
+		"<...> cmd [options]",
+		NULL
+	};
+	int opt = 0;
+	const struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_INTEGER('o', "opt", &opt, "an integer option"),
+		OPT_END()
+	};
+
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, usage, test_flags);
+
+	printf("opt: %d\n", opt);
+	print_args(argc, argv);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static enum parse_opt_flags test_flags = 0;
+static const struct option test_flag_options[] = {
+	OPT_GROUP("flag-options:"),
+	OPT_BIT(0, "keep-dashdash", &test_flags,
+		"pass PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH to parse_options()",
+		PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH),
+	OPT_BIT(0, "stop-at-non-option", &test_flags,
+		"pass PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION to parse_options()",
+		PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION),
+	OPT_BIT(0, "keep-argv0", &test_flags,
+		"pass PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 to parse_options()",
+		PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0),
+	OPT_BIT(0, "keep-unknown-opt", &test_flags,
+		"pass PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT to parse_options()",
+		PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT),
+	OPT_BIT(0, "no-internal-help", &test_flags,
+		"pass PARSE_OPT_NO_INTERNAL_HELP to parse_options()",
+		PARSE_OPT_NO_INTERNAL_HELP),
+	OPT_BIT(0, "subcommand-optional", &test_flags,
+		"pass PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL to parse_options()",
+		PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL),
+	OPT_END()
+};
+
+int cmd__parse_options_flags(int argc, const char **argv)
+{
+	const char *usage[] = {
+		"test-tool parse-options-flags [flag-options] cmd [options]",
+		NULL
+	};
+
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, test_flag_options, usage,
+			     PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION);
+
+	if (argc == 0 || strcmp(argv[0], "cmd")) {
+		error("'cmd' is mandatory");
+		usage_with_options(usage, test_flag_options);
+	}
+
+	return parse_options_flags__cmd(argc, argv, test_flags);
+}
+
+static int subcmd_one(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
+{
+	printf("fn: subcmd_one\n");
+	print_args(argc, argv);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static int subcmd_two(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
+{
+	printf("fn: subcmd_two\n");
+	print_args(argc, argv);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static int parse_subcommand__cmd(int argc, const char **argv,
+				 enum parse_opt_flags test_flags)
+{
+	const char *usage[] = {
+		"<...> cmd subcmd-one",
+		"<...> cmd subcmd-two",
+		NULL
+	};
+	parse_opt_subcommand_fn *fn = NULL;
+	int opt = 0;
+	struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("subcmd-one", &fn, subcmd_one),
+		OPT_SUBCOMMAND("subcmd-two", &fn, subcmd_two),
+		OPT_INTEGER('o', "opt", &opt, "an integer option"),
+		OPT_END()
+	};
+
+	if (test_flags & PARSE_OPT_SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL)
+		fn = subcmd_one;
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, options, usage, test_flags);
+
+	printf("opt: %d\n", opt);
+
+	return fn(argc, argv, NULL);
+}
+
+int cmd__parse_subcommand(int argc, const char **argv)
+{
+	const char *usage[] = {
+		"test-tool parse-subcommand [flag-options] cmd <subcommand>",
+		NULL
+	};
+
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, NULL, test_flag_options, usage,
+			     PARSE_OPT_STOP_AT_NON_OPTION);
+
+	if (argc == 0 || strcmp(argv[0], "cmd")) {
+		error("'cmd' is mandatory");
+		usage_with_options(usage, test_flag_options);
+	}
+
+	return parse_subcommand__cmd(argc, argv, test_flags);
+}
diff --git a/t/helper/test-serve-v2.c b/t/helper/test-serve-v2.c
index 28e905afc3..824e5c0a95 100644
--- a/t/helper/test-serve-v2.c
+++ b/t/helper/test-serve-v2.c
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ int cmd__serve_v2(int argc, const char **argv)
 	/* ignore all unknown cmdline switches for now */
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, serve_usage,
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_DASHDASH |
-			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN);
+			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT);
 
 	if (advertise_capabilities)
 		protocol_v2_advertise_capabilities();
diff --git a/t/helper/test-tool.c b/t/helper/test-tool.c
index d6a560f832..8005588679 100644
--- a/t/helper/test-tool.c
+++ b/t/helper/test-tool.c
@@ -51,7 +51,9 @@ static struct test_cmd cmds[] = {
 	{ "online-cpus", cmd__online_cpus },
 	{ "pack-mtimes", cmd__pack_mtimes },
 	{ "parse-options", cmd__parse_options },
+	{ "parse-options-flags", cmd__parse_options_flags },
 	{ "parse-pathspec-file", cmd__parse_pathspec_file },
+	{ "parse-subcommand", cmd__parse_subcommand },
 	{ "partial-clone", cmd__partial_clone },
 	{ "path-utils", cmd__path_utils },
 	{ "pcre2-config", cmd__pcre2_config },
diff --git a/t/helper/test-tool.h b/t/helper/test-tool.h
index 21a91b1019..a432cc77d9 100644
--- a/t/helper/test-tool.h
+++ b/t/helper/test-tool.h
@@ -41,7 +41,9 @@ int cmd__oidtree(int argc, const char **argv);
 int cmd__online_cpus(int argc, const char **argv);
 int cmd__pack_mtimes(int argc, const char **argv);
 int cmd__parse_options(int argc, const char **argv);
+int cmd__parse_options_flags(int argc, const char **argv);
 int cmd__parse_pathspec_file(int argc, const char** argv);
+int cmd__parse_subcommand(int argc, const char **argv);
 int cmd__partial_clone(int argc, const char **argv);
 int cmd__path_utils(int argc, const char **argv);
 int cmd__pcre2_config(int argc, const char **argv);
diff --git a/t/t0040-parse-options.sh b/t/t0040-parse-options.sh
index ed2fb620a9..b19b8d3486 100755
--- a/t/t0040-parse-options.sh
+++ b/t/t0040-parse-options.sh
@@ -456,4 +456,259 @@ test_expect_success '--end-of-options treats remainder as args' '
 	    --end-of-options --verbose
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'KEEP_DASHDASH works' '
+	test-tool parse-options-flags --keep-dashdash cmd --opt=1 -- --opt=2 --unknown >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 1
+	arg 00: --
+	arg 01: --opt=2
+	arg 02: --unknown
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'KEEP_ARGV0 works' '
+	test-tool parse-options-flags --keep-argv0 cmd arg0 --opt=3 >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 3
+	arg 00: cmd
+	arg 01: arg0
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'STOP_AT_NON_OPTION works' '
+	test-tool parse-options-flags --stop-at-non-option cmd --opt=4 arg0 --opt=5 --unknown >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 4
+	arg 00: arg0
+	arg 01: --opt=5
+	arg 02: --unknown
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT works' '
+	test-tool parse-options-flags --keep-unknown-opt cmd --unknown=1 --opt=6 -u2 >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 6
+	arg 00: --unknown=1
+	arg 01: -u2
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'NO_INTERNAL_HELP works for -h' '
+	test_expect_code 129 test-tool parse-options-flags --no-internal-help cmd -h 2>err &&
+	cat err &&
+	grep "^error: unknown switch \`h$SQ" err &&
+	grep "^usage: " err
+'
+
+for help_opt in help help-all
+do
+	test_expect_success "NO_INTERNAL_HELP works for --$help_opt" "
+		test_expect_code 129 test-tool parse-options-flags --no-internal-help cmd --$help_opt 2>err &&
+		cat err &&
+		grep '^error: unknown option \`'$help_opt\' err &&
+		grep '^usage: ' err
+	"
+done
+
+test_expect_success 'KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT | NO_INTERNAL_HELP works' '
+	test-tool parse-options-flags --keep-unknown-opt --no-internal-help cmd -h --help --help-all >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	arg 00: -h
+	arg 01: --help
+	arg 02: --help-all
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - no subcommand shows error and usage' '
+	test_expect_code 129 test-tool parse-subcommand cmd 2>err &&
+	grep "^error: need a subcommand" err &&
+	grep ^usage: err
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - subcommand after -- shows error and usage' '
+	test_expect_code 129 test-tool parse-subcommand cmd -- subcmd-one 2>err &&
+	grep "^error: need a subcommand" err &&
+	grep ^usage: err
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - subcommand after --end-of-options shows error and usage' '
+	test_expect_code 129 test-tool parse-subcommand cmd --end-of-options subcmd-one 2>err &&
+	grep "^error: need a subcommand" err &&
+	grep ^usage: err
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - unknown subcommand shows error and usage' '
+	test_expect_code 129 test-tool parse-subcommand cmd nope 2>err &&
+	grep "^error: unknown subcommand: \`nope$SQ" err &&
+	grep ^usage: err
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - subcommands cannot be abbreviated' '
+	test_expect_code 129 test-tool parse-subcommand cmd subcmd-o 2>err &&
+	grep "^error: unknown subcommand: \`subcmd-o$SQ$" err &&
+	grep ^usage: err
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - no negated subcommands' '
+	test_expect_code 129 test-tool parse-subcommand cmd no-subcmd-one 2>err &&
+	grep "^error: unknown subcommand: \`no-subcmd-one$SQ" err &&
+	grep ^usage: err
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - simple' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand cmd subcmd-two >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	fn: subcmd_two
+	arg 00: subcmd-two
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - stop parsing at the first subcommand' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand cmd --opt=1 subcmd-two subcmd-one --opt=2 >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 1
+	fn: subcmd_two
+	arg 00: subcmd-two
+	arg 01: subcmd-one
+	arg 02: --opt=2
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - KEEP_ARGV0' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand --keep-argv0 cmd subcmd-two >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	fn: subcmd_two
+	arg 00: cmd
+	arg 01: subcmd-two
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL + subcommand not given' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand --subcommand-optional cmd >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	fn: subcmd_one
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL + given subcommand' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand --subcommand-optional cmd subcmd-two branch file >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	fn: subcmd_two
+	arg 00: subcmd-two
+	arg 01: branch
+	arg 02: file
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL + subcommand not given + unknown dashless args' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand --subcommand-optional cmd branch file >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	fn: subcmd_one
+	arg 00: branch
+	arg 01: file
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL + subcommand not given + unknown option' '
+	test_expect_code 129 test-tool parse-subcommand --subcommand-optional cmd --subcommand-opt 2>err &&
+	grep "^error: unknown option" err &&
+	grep ^usage: err
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL | KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT + subcommand not given + unknown option' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand --subcommand-optional --keep-unknown-opt cmd --subcommand-opt >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	fn: subcmd_one
+	arg 00: --subcommand-opt
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL | KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT + subcommand ignored after unknown option' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand --subcommand-optional --keep-unknown-opt cmd --subcommand-opt subcmd-two >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	fn: subcmd_one
+	arg 00: --subcommand-opt
+	arg 01: subcmd-two
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL | KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT + command and subcommand options cannot be mixed' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand --subcommand-optional --keep-unknown-opt cmd --subcommand-opt branch --opt=1 >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	fn: subcmd_one
+	arg 00: --subcommand-opt
+	arg 01: branch
+	arg 02: --opt=1
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL | KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT | KEEP_ARGV0' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand --subcommand-optional --keep-unknown-opt --keep-argv0 cmd --subcommand-opt branch >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	fn: subcmd_one
+	arg 00: cmd
+	arg 01: --subcommand-opt
+	arg 02: branch
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL | KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT | KEEP_DASHDASH' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand --subcommand-optional --keep-unknown-opt --keep-dashdash cmd -- --subcommand-opt file >actual &&
+	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
+	opt: 0
+	fn: subcmd_one
+	arg 00: --
+	arg 01: --subcommand-opt
+	arg 02: file
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommand - completion helper' '
+	test-tool parse-subcommand cmd --git-completion-helper >actual &&
+	echo "subcmd-one subcmd-two --opt= --no-opt" >expect &&
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommands are incompatible with STOP_AT_NON_OPTION' '
+	test_must_fail test-tool parse-subcommand --stop-at-non-option cmd subcmd-one 2>err &&
+	grep ^BUG err
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommands are incompatible with KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT unless in combination with SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL' '
+	test_must_fail test-tool parse-subcommand --keep-unknown-opt cmd subcmd-two 2>err &&
+	grep ^BUG err
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'subcommands are incompatible with KEEP_DASHDASH unless in combination with SUBCOMMAND_OPTIONAL' '
+	test_must_fail test-tool parse-subcommand --keep-dashdash cmd subcmd-two 2>err &&
+	grep ^BUG err
+'
+
 test_done
diff --git a/t/t3301-notes.sh b/t/t3301-notes.sh
index d742be8840..3288aaec7d 100755
--- a/t/t3301-notes.sh
+++ b/t/t3301-notes.sh
@@ -505,6 +505,11 @@ test_expect_success 'list notes with "git notes"' '
 	test_cmp expect actual
 '
 
+test_expect_success '"git notes" without subcommand does not take arguments' '
+	test_expect_code 129 git notes HEAD^^ 2>err &&
+	grep "^error: unknown subcommand" err
+'
+
 test_expect_success 'list specific note with "git notes list <object>"' '
 	git rev-parse refs/notes/commits:$commit_3 >expect &&
 	git notes list HEAD^^ >actual &&
diff --git a/t/t3903-stash.sh b/t/t3903-stash.sh
index 2a4c3fd61c..376cc8f4ab 100755
--- a/t/t3903-stash.sh
+++ b/t/t3903-stash.sh
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ test_expect_success 'usage on main command -h emits a summary of subcommands' '
 	grep -F "or: git stash show" usage
 '
 
-test_expect_failure 'usage for subcommands should emit subcommand usage' '
+test_expect_success 'usage for subcommands should emit subcommand usage' '
 	test_expect_code 129 git stash push -h >usage &&
 	grep -F "usage: git stash [push" usage
 '
diff --git a/t/t5318-commit-graph.sh b/t/t5318-commit-graph.sh
index 1b0cd82359..049c5fc8ea 100755
--- a/t/t5318-commit-graph.sh
+++ b/t/t5318-commit-graph.sh
@@ -12,12 +12,12 @@ test_expect_success 'usage' '
 
 test_expect_success 'usage shown without sub-command' '
 	test_expect_code 129 git commit-graph 2>err &&
-	! grep error: err
+	grep usage: err
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'usage shown with an error on unknown sub-command' '
 	cat >expect <<-\EOF &&
-	error: unrecognized subcommand: unknown
+	error: unknown subcommand: `unknown'\''
 	EOF
 	test_expect_code 129 git commit-graph unknown 2>stderr &&
 	grep error stderr >actual &&
diff --git a/t/t5505-remote.sh b/t/t5505-remote.sh
index 6c7370f87f..9006196ac6 100755
--- a/t/t5505-remote.sh
+++ b/t/t5505-remote.sh
@@ -241,6 +241,26 @@ test_expect_success 'add invalid foreign_vcs remote' '
 	test_cmp expect actual
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'without subcommand' '
+	echo origin >expect &&
+	git -C test remote >actual &&
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'without subcommand accepts -v' '
+	cat >expect <<-EOF &&
+	origin	$(pwd)/one (fetch)
+	origin	$(pwd)/one (push)
+	EOF
+	git -C test remote -v >actual &&
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'without subcommand does not take arguments' '
+	test_expect_code 129 git -C test remote origin 2>err &&
+	grep "^error: unknown subcommand:" err
+'
+
 cat >test/expect <<EOF
 * remote origin
   Fetch URL: $(pwd)/one
diff --git a/t/t7900-maintenance.sh b/t/t7900-maintenance.sh
index 62ed694a40..2724a44fe3 100755
--- a/t/t7900-maintenance.sh
+++ b/t/t7900-maintenance.sh
@@ -32,11 +32,13 @@ test_systemd_analyze_verify () {
 }
 
 test_expect_success 'help text' '
-	test_expect_code 129 git maintenance -h 2>err &&
-	test_i18ngrep "usage: git maintenance <subcommand>" err &&
-	test_expect_code 128 git maintenance barf 2>err &&
-	test_i18ngrep "invalid subcommand: barf" err &&
+	test_expect_code 129 git maintenance -h >actual &&
+	test_i18ngrep "usage: git maintenance <subcommand>" actual &&
+	test_expect_code 129 git maintenance barf 2>err &&
+	test_i18ngrep "unknown subcommand: \`barf'\''" err &&
+	test_i18ngrep "usage: git maintenance" err &&
 	test_expect_code 129 git maintenance 2>err &&
+	test_i18ngrep "error: need a subcommand" err &&
 	test_i18ngrep "usage: git maintenance" err
 '