diff --git a/i3pystatus/shell.py b/i3pystatus/shell.py
index 67f4637..9961eac 100644
--- a/i3pystatus/shell.py
+++ b/i3pystatus/shell.py
@@ -2,12 +2,14 @@ from i3pystatus import IntervalModule
 from i3pystatus.core.command import run_through_shell
 import logging
 
-# logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
 
 class Shell(IntervalModule):
     """
     Shows output of shell command
+
+    .. rubric:: Available formatters
+
+    * `{output}` — just the striped command output without newlines
     """
 
     color = "#FFFFFF"
@@ -16,10 +18,12 @@ class Shell(IntervalModule):
     settings = (
         ("command", "command to be executed"),
         ("color", "standard color"),
-        ("error_color", "color to use when non zero exit code is returned")
+        ("error_color", "color to use when non zero exit code is returned"),
+        "format"
     )
 
     required = ("command",)
+    format = "{output}"
 
     def run(self):
         retvalue, out, stderr = run_through_shell(self.command, enable_shell=True)
@@ -33,6 +37,6 @@ class Shell(IntervalModule):
             out = stderr
 
         self.output = {
-            "full_text": out if out else "Command `%s` returned %d" % (self.command, retvalue),
+            "full_text": self.format.format(output=out) if out else "Command `%s` returned %d" % (self.command, retvalue),
             "color": self.color if retvalue == 0 else self.error_color
         }