diff --git a/src/target/arm11.c b/src/target/arm11.c
index 835234cec..7c6d39c9d 100644
--- a/src/target/arm11.c
+++ b/src/target/arm11.c
@@ -1616,6 +1616,12 @@ static const struct command_registration arm11_any_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 static const struct command_registration arm11_command_handlers[] = {
+	{
+		.chain = arm_command_handlers,
+	},
+	{
+		.chain = etm_command_handlers,
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "arm11",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -1625,13 +1631,6 @@ static const struct command_registration arm11_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-static int arm11_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	armv4_5_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	etm_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, arm11_command_handlers);
-}
-
 /** Holds methods for ARM11xx targets. */
 struct target_type arm11_target = {
 	.name =			"arm11",
@@ -1666,7 +1665,7 @@ struct target_type arm11_target = {
 
 	.run_algorithm =	armv4_5_run_algorithm,
 
-	.register_commands =	arm11_register_commands,
+	.commands =		arm11_command_handlers,
 	.target_create =	arm11_target_create,
 	.init_target =		arm11_init_target,
 	.examine =		arm11_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/arm720t.c b/src/target/arm720t.c
index 52a311c42..bae2561ae 100644
--- a/src/target/arm720t.c
+++ b/src/target/arm720t.c
@@ -503,6 +503,9 @@ static const struct command_registration arm720t_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 };
 
 static const struct command_registration arm720t_command_handlers[] = {
+	{
+		.chain = arm7_9_command_handlers,
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "arm720t",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -512,12 +515,6 @@ static const struct command_registration arm720t_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-static int arm720t_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	arm7_9_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, arm720t_command_handlers);
-}
-
 /** Holds methods for ARM720 targets. */
 struct target_type arm720t_target =
 {
@@ -555,7 +552,7 @@ struct target_type arm720t_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = arm7_9_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = arm7_9_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = arm720t_register_commands,
+	.commands = arm720t_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = arm720t_target_create,
 	.init_target = arm720t_init_target,
 	.examine = arm7_9_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/arm7_9_common.c b/src/target/arm7_9_common.c
index b40be8d4d..c4775e8a8 100644
--- a/src/target/arm7_9_common.c
+++ b/src/target/arm7_9_common.c
@@ -2873,7 +2873,13 @@ static const struct command_registration arm7_9_any_command_handlers[] = {
 	},
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
-static const struct command_registration arm7_9_command_handlers[] = {
+const struct command_registration arm7_9_command_handlers[] = {
+	{
+		.chain = arm_command_handlers,
+	},
+	{
+		.chain = etm_command_handlers,
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "arm7_9",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -2882,10 +2888,3 @@ static const struct command_registration arm7_9_command_handlers[] = {
 	},
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
-
-int arm7_9_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	armv4_5_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	etm_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, arm7_9_command_handlers);
-}
diff --git a/src/target/arm7_9_common.h b/src/target/arm7_9_common.h
index 2f7132a15..d43eaa6d5 100644
--- a/src/target/arm7_9_common.h
+++ b/src/target/arm7_9_common.h
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ static inline bool is_arm7_9(struct arm7_9_common *arm7_9)
 	return arm7_9->common_magic == ARM7_9_COMMON_MAGIC;
 }
 
-int arm7_9_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
+extern const struct command_registration arm7_9_command_handlers[];
 
 int arm7_9_poll(struct target *target);
 
diff --git a/src/target/arm7tdmi.c b/src/target/arm7tdmi.c
index 742eace77..7d14ed614 100644
--- a/src/target/arm7tdmi.c
+++ b/src/target/arm7tdmi.c
@@ -747,7 +747,7 @@ struct target_type arm7tdmi_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = arm7_9_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = arm7_9_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands  = arm7_9_register_commands,
+	.commands  = arm7_9_command_handlers,
 	.target_create  = arm7tdmi_target_create,
 	.init_target = arm7tdmi_init_target,
 	.examine = arm7_9_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/arm920t.c b/src/target/arm920t.c
index 1e6019cb1..e6c2eed82 100644
--- a/src/target/arm920t.c
+++ b/src/target/arm920t.c
@@ -1396,7 +1396,10 @@ static const struct command_registration arm920t_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 	},
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
-static const struct command_registration arm920t_command_handlers[] = {
+const struct command_registration arm920t_command_handlers[] = {
+	{
+		.chain = arm9tdmi_command_handlers,
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "arm920t",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -1406,13 +1409,6 @@ static const struct command_registration arm920t_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-/** Registers commands to access coprocessor, cache, and MMU resources. */
-int arm920t_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	arm9tdmi_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, arm920t_command_handlers);
-}
-
 /** Holds methods for ARM920 targets. */
 struct target_type arm920t_target =
 {
@@ -1452,7 +1448,7 @@ struct target_type arm920t_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = arm7_9_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = arm7_9_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = arm920t_register_commands,
+	.commands = arm920t_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = arm920t_target_create,
 	.init_target = arm9tdmi_init_target,
 	.examine = arm7_9_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/arm920t.h b/src/target/arm920t.h
index ca6be7ea9..a75f01ab1 100644
--- a/src/target/arm920t.h
+++ b/src/target/arm920t.h
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ void arm920t_disable_mmu_caches(struct target *target,
 	int mmu, int d_u_cache, int i_cache);
 void arm920t_enable_mmu_caches(struct target *target,
 	int mmu, int d_u_cache, int i_cache);
-int arm920t_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
+
+extern const struct command_registration arm920t_command_handlers[];
 
 #endif /* ARM920T_H */
diff --git a/src/target/arm926ejs.c b/src/target/arm926ejs.c
index 329aa12a4..408ede9de 100644
--- a/src/target/arm926ejs.c
+++ b/src/target/arm926ejs.c
@@ -766,7 +766,10 @@ static const struct command_registration arm926ejs_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 	},
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
-static const struct command_registration arm926ejs_command_handlers[] = {
+const struct command_registration arm926ejs_command_handlers[] = {
+	{
+		.chain = arm9tdmi_command_handlers,
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "arm926ejs",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -776,13 +779,6 @@ static const struct command_registration arm926ejs_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-/** Registers commands to access coprocessor, cache, and debug resources.  */
-int arm926ejs_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	arm9tdmi_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, arm926ejs_command_handlers);
-}
-
 /** Holds methods for ARM926 targets. */
 struct target_type arm926ejs_target =
 {
@@ -817,7 +813,7 @@ struct target_type arm926ejs_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = arm7_9_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = arm7_9_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = arm926ejs_register_commands,
+	.commands = arm926ejs_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = arm926ejs_target_create,
 	.init_target = arm9tdmi_init_target,
 	.examine = arm7_9_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/arm926ejs.h b/src/target/arm926ejs.h
index 514f05437..274733bfd 100644
--- a/src/target/arm926ejs.h
+++ b/src/target/arm926ejs.h
@@ -48,10 +48,11 @@ target_to_arm926(struct target *target)
 
 int arm926ejs_init_arch_info(struct target *target,
 		struct arm926ejs_common *arm926ejs, struct jtag_tap *tap);
-int arm926ejs_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
 int arm926ejs_arch_state(struct target *target);
 int arm926ejs_write_memory(struct target *target,
 		uint32_t address, uint32_t size, uint32_t count, uint8_t *buffer);
 int arm926ejs_soft_reset_halt(struct target *target);
 
+extern const struct command_registration arm926ejs_command_handlers[];
+
 #endif /* ARM926EJS_H */
diff --git a/src/target/arm966e.c b/src/target/arm966e.c
index 70cc3c4b7..9fe513c9e 100644
--- a/src/target/arm966e.c
+++ b/src/target/arm966e.c
@@ -232,7 +232,10 @@ static const struct command_registration arm966e_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-static const struct command_registration arm966e_command_handlers[] = {
+const struct command_registration arm966e_command_handlers[] = {
+	{
+		.chain = arm9tdmi_command_handlers,
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "arm966e",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -242,13 +245,6 @@ static const struct command_registration arm966e_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-/** Registers commands used to access coprocessor resources. */
-int arm966e_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	arm9tdmi_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, arm966e_command_handlers);
-}
-
 /** Holds methods for ARM966 targets. */
 struct target_type arm966e_target =
 {
@@ -283,7 +279,7 @@ struct target_type arm966e_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = arm7_9_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = arm7_9_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = arm966e_register_commands,
+	.commands = arm966e_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = arm966e_target_create,
 	.init_target = arm9tdmi_init_target,
 	.examine = arm7_9_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/arm966e.h b/src/target/arm966e.h
index 45aeb4ef1..24dcec306 100644
--- a/src/target/arm966e.h
+++ b/src/target/arm966e.h
@@ -43,7 +43,8 @@ target_to_arm966(struct target *target)
 
 int arm966e_init_arch_info(struct target *target,
 		struct arm966e_common *arm966e, struct jtag_tap *tap);
-int arm966e_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
 int arm966e_write_cp15(struct target *target, int reg_addr, uint32_t value);
 
+extern const struct command_registration arm966e_command_handlers[];
+
 #endif /* ARM966E_H */
diff --git a/src/target/arm9tdmi.c b/src/target/arm9tdmi.c
index 87ace0560..7eb5641de 100644
--- a/src/target/arm9tdmi.c
+++ b/src/target/arm9tdmi.c
@@ -917,7 +917,10 @@ static const struct command_registration arm9tdmi_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 	},
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
-static const struct command_registration arm9tdmi_command_handlers[] = {
+const struct command_registration arm9tdmi_command_handlers[] = {
+	{
+		.chain = arm7_9_command_handlers,
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "arm9tdmi",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -927,12 +930,6 @@ static const struct command_registration arm9tdmi_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-int arm9tdmi_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	arm7_9_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, arm9tdmi_command_handlers);
-}
-
 /** Holds methods for ARM9TDMI targets. */
 struct target_type arm9tdmi_target =
 {
@@ -967,7 +964,7 @@ struct target_type arm9tdmi_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = arm7_9_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = arm7_9_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = arm9tdmi_register_commands,
+	.commands = arm9tdmi_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = arm9tdmi_target_create,
 	.init_target = arm9tdmi_init_target,
 	.examine = arm7_9_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/arm9tdmi.h b/src/target/arm9tdmi.h
index 351b00adf..aff9fc5f4 100644
--- a/src/target/arm9tdmi.h
+++ b/src/target/arm9tdmi.h
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ int arm9tdmi_init_target(struct command_context *cmd_ctx,
 		struct target *target);
 int arm9tdmi_init_arch_info(struct target *target,
 		struct arm7_9_common *arm7_9, struct jtag_tap *tap);
-int arm9tdmi_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
+extern const struct command_registration arm9tdmi_command_handlers[];
 
 int arm9tdmi_clock_out(struct arm_jtag *jtag_info,
 		uint32_t instr, uint32_t out, uint32_t *in, int sysspeed);
diff --git a/src/target/armv4_5.c b/src/target/armv4_5.c
index dfb7094b6..7e5bb0a17 100644
--- a/src/target/armv4_5.c
+++ b/src/target/armv4_5.c
@@ -809,7 +809,7 @@ static const struct command_registration arm_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 	},
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
-static const struct command_registration arm_command_handlers[] = {
+const struct command_registration arm_command_handlers[] = {
 	{
 		.name = "arm",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -819,11 +819,6 @@ static const struct command_registration arm_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-int armv4_5_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, arm_command_handlers);
-}
-
 int armv4_5_get_gdb_reg_list(struct target *target, struct reg **reg_list[], int *reg_list_size)
 {
 	struct arm *armv4_5 = target_to_armv4_5(target);
diff --git a/src/target/armv4_5.h b/src/target/armv4_5.h
index 7a6cb6186..822d14393 100644
--- a/src/target/armv4_5.h
+++ b/src/target/armv4_5.h
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 #define ARMV4_5_H
 
 #include "target.h"
+#include "command.h"
+
 
 typedef enum armv4_5_mode
 {
@@ -155,7 +157,8 @@ int armv4_5_arch_state(struct target *target);
 int armv4_5_get_gdb_reg_list(struct target *target,
 		struct reg **reg_list[], int *reg_list_size);
 
-int armv4_5_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
+extern const struct command_registration arm_command_handlers[];
+
 int armv4_5_init_arch_info(struct target *target, struct arm *armv4_5);
 
 int armv4_5_run_algorithm(struct target *target,
diff --git a/src/target/armv7a.c b/src/target/armv7a.c
index 7cc22736e..3d94329fd 100644
--- a/src/target/armv7a.c
+++ b/src/target/armv7a.c
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ static const struct command_registration armv7a_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 	},
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
-static const struct command_registration armv7a_command_handlers[] = {
+const struct command_registration armv7a_command_handlers[] = {
 	{
 		.name = "dap",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -191,7 +191,3 @@ static const struct command_registration armv7a_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-int armv7a_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, armv7a_command_handlers);
-}
diff --git a/src/target/armv7a.h b/src/target/armv7a.h
index 942bf8bff..f843f03bd 100644
--- a/src/target/armv7a.h
+++ b/src/target/armv7a.h
@@ -103,7 +103,8 @@ struct armv7a_core_reg
 int armv7a_arch_state(struct target *target);
 struct reg_cache *armv7a_build_reg_cache(struct target *target,
 		struct armv7a_common *armv7a_common);
-int armv7a_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
 int armv7a_init_arch_info(struct target *target, struct armv7a_common *armv7a);
 
+extern const struct command_registration armv7a_command_handlers[];
+
 #endif /* ARMV4_5_H */
diff --git a/src/target/armv7m.c b/src/target/armv7m.c
index 6d8ad5f1a..9d89086eb 100644
--- a/src/target/armv7m.c
+++ b/src/target/armv7m.c
@@ -832,7 +832,7 @@ static const struct command_registration armv7m_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 	},
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
-static const struct command_registration armv7m_command_handlers[] = {
+const struct command_registration armv7m_command_handlers[] = {
 	{
 		.name = "dap",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -841,8 +841,3 @@ static const struct command_registration armv7m_command_handlers[] = {
 	},
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
-
-int armv7m_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, armv7m_command_handlers);
-}
diff --git a/src/target/armv7m.h b/src/target/armv7m.h
index 9dd4ddbb8..7299bdf9f 100644
--- a/src/target/armv7m.h
+++ b/src/target/armv7m.h
@@ -143,7 +143,6 @@ int armv7m_arch_state(struct target *target);
 int armv7m_get_gdb_reg_list(struct target *target,
 		struct reg **reg_list[], int *reg_list_size);
 
-int armv7m_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
 int armv7m_init_arch_info(struct target *target, struct armv7m_common *armv7m);
 
 int armv7m_run_algorithm(struct target *target,
@@ -161,6 +160,8 @@ int armv7m_checksum_memory(struct target *target,
 int armv7m_blank_check_memory(struct target *target,
 		uint32_t address, uint32_t count, uint32_t* blank);
 
+extern const struct command_registration armv7m_command_handlers[];
+
 /* Thumb mode instructions
  */
 
diff --git a/src/target/avrt.c b/src/target/avrt.c
index cabb2725f..dc527f5e5 100644
--- a/src/target/avrt.c
+++ b/src/target/avrt.c
@@ -28,9 +28,6 @@
 
 #define AVR_JTAG_INS_LEN	4
 
-/* cli handling */
-int avr_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
-
 /* forward declarations */
 int avr_target_create(struct target *target, Jim_Interp *interp);
 int avr_init_target(struct command_context *cmd_ctx, struct target *target);
@@ -91,17 +88,10 @@ struct target_type avr_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = avr_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = avr_remove_watchpoint,
 */
-	.register_commands = avr_register_commands,
 	.target_create = avr_target_create,
 	.init_target = avr_init_target,
 };
 
-int avr_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	LOG_DEBUG("%s", __FUNCTION__);
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 int avr_target_create(struct target *target, Jim_Interp *interp)
 {
 	struct avr_common *avr = calloc(1, sizeof(struct avr_common));
diff --git a/src/target/cortex_a8.c b/src/target/cortex_a8.c
index 325a54b52..b85481a96 100644
--- a/src/target/cortex_a8.c
+++ b/src/target/cortex_a8.c
@@ -1641,6 +1641,12 @@ static const struct command_registration cortex_a8_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 static const struct command_registration cortex_a8_command_handlers[] = {
+	{
+		.chain = arm_command_handlers,
+	},
+	{
+		.chain = armv7a_command_handlers,
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "cortex_a8",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -1650,13 +1656,6 @@ static const struct command_registration cortex_a8_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-static int cortex_a8_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	armv4_5_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	armv7a_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, cortex_a8_command_handlers);
-}
-
 struct target_type cortexa8_target = {
 	.name = "cortex_a8",
 
@@ -1689,7 +1688,7 @@ struct target_type cortexa8_target = {
 	.add_watchpoint = NULL,
 	.remove_watchpoint = NULL,
 
-	.register_commands = cortex_a8_register_commands,
+	.commands = cortex_a8_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = cortex_a8_target_create,
 	.init_target = cortex_a8_init_target,
 	.examine = cortex_a8_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/cortex_m3.c b/src/target/cortex_m3.c
index be81af98a..7cfe540a3 100644
--- a/src/target/cortex_m3.c
+++ b/src/target/cortex_m3.c
@@ -1937,6 +1937,12 @@ static const struct command_registration cortex_m3_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 static const struct command_registration cortex_m3_command_handlers[] = {
+	{
+		.chain = arm_command_handlers,
+	},
+	{
+		.chain = armv7m_command_handlers,
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "cortex_m3",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -1946,12 +1952,6 @@ static const struct command_registration cortex_m3_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-static int cortex_m3_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	armv7m_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, cortex_m3_command_handlers);
-}
-
 struct target_type cortexm3_target =
 {
 	.name = "cortex_m3",
@@ -1984,7 +1984,7 @@ struct target_type cortexm3_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = cortex_m3_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = cortex_m3_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = cortex_m3_register_commands,
+	.commands = cortex_m3_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = cortex_m3_target_create,
 	.init_target = cortex_m3_init_target,
 	.examine = cortex_m3_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/etm.c b/src/target/etm.c
index 0f7b41ec0..2465d5c1a 100644
--- a/src/target/etm.c
+++ b/src/target/etm.c
@@ -2103,7 +2103,7 @@ static const struct command_registration etm_config_command_handlers[] = {
 	},
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
-static const struct command_registration etm_command_handlers[] = {
+const struct command_registration etm_command_handlers[] = {
 	{
 		.name = "etm",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -2113,11 +2113,6 @@ static const struct command_registration etm_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-int etm_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	return register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, etm_command_handlers);
-}
-
 static const struct command_registration etm_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 	{
 		.name = "tracemode", handle_etm_tracemode_command,
diff --git a/src/target/etm.h b/src/target/etm.h
index b74c6d904..05e54959a 100644
--- a/src/target/etm.h
+++ b/src/target/etm.h
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ struct reg_cache* etm_build_reg_cache(struct target *target,
 
 int etm_setup(struct target *target);
 
-int etm_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
+extern const struct command_registration etm_command_handlers[];
 
 #define ERROR_ETM_INVALID_DRIVER	(-1300)
 #define ERROR_ETM_PORTMODE_NOT_SUPPORTED	(-1301)
diff --git a/src/target/fa526.c b/src/target/fa526.c
index 9c22a750b..32469d0d2 100644
--- a/src/target/fa526.c
+++ b/src/target/fa526.c
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ struct target_type fa526_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = arm7_9_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = arm7_9_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = arm920t_register_commands,
+	.commands = arm920t_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = fa526_target_create,
 	.init_target = arm9tdmi_init_target,
 	.examine = arm7_9_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/feroceon.c b/src/target/feroceon.c
index 8c0527669..432d49d1b 100644
--- a/src/target/feroceon.c
+++ b/src/target/feroceon.c
@@ -709,7 +709,7 @@ struct target_type feroceon_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = arm7_9_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = arm7_9_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = arm926ejs_register_commands,
+	.commands = arm926ejs_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = feroceon_target_create,
 	.init_target = feroceon_init_target,
 	.examine = feroceon_examine,
@@ -748,7 +748,7 @@ struct target_type dragonite_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = arm7_9_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = arm7_9_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = arm966e_register_commands,
+	.commands = arm966e_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = dragonite_target_create,
 	.init_target = feroceon_init_target,
 	.examine = feroceon_examine,
diff --git a/src/target/mips32.c b/src/target/mips32.c
index 0b8ebb4a1..48d072021 100644
--- a/src/target/mips32.c
+++ b/src/target/mips32.c
@@ -320,11 +320,6 @@ int mips32_init_arch_info(struct target *target, struct mips32_common *mips32, s
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-int mips32_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 int mips32_run_algorithm(struct target *target, int num_mem_params, struct mem_param *mem_params, int num_reg_params, struct reg_param *reg_params, uint32_t entry_point, uint32_t exit_point, int timeout_ms, void *arch_info)
 {
 	/*TODO*/
diff --git a/src/target/mips_m4k.c b/src/target/mips_m4k.c
index 0a566c344..a83217ff9 100644
--- a/src/target/mips_m4k.c
+++ b/src/target/mips_m4k.c
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ int mips_m4k_resume(struct target *target, int current, uint32_t address, int ha
 int mips_m4k_step(struct target *target, int current, uint32_t address, int handle_breakpoints);
 int mips_m4k_read_memory(struct target *target, uint32_t address, uint32_t size, uint32_t count, uint8_t *buffer);
 int mips_m4k_write_memory(struct target *target, uint32_t address, uint32_t size, uint32_t count, uint8_t *buffer);
-int mips_m4k_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
 int mips_m4k_init_target(struct command_context *cmd_ctx, struct target *target);
 int mips_m4k_target_create(struct target *target, Jim_Interp *interp);
 
@@ -82,7 +81,6 @@ struct target_type mips_m4k_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = mips_m4k_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = mips_m4k_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = mips_m4k_register_commands,
 	.target_create = mips_m4k_target_create,
 	.init_target = mips_m4k_init_target,
 	.examine = mips_m4k_examine,
@@ -902,14 +900,6 @@ int mips_m4k_write_memory(struct target *target, uint32_t address, uint32_t size
 		return mips32_dmaacc_write_mem(ejtag_info, address, size, count, (void *)buffer);
 }
 
-int mips_m4k_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-	int retval;
-
-	retval = mips32_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-	return retval;
-}
-
 int mips_m4k_init_target(struct command_context *cmd_ctx, struct target *target)
 {
 	mips32_build_reg_cache(target);
diff --git a/src/target/target.c b/src/target/target.c
index 6f48808fa..e999e68c1 100644
--- a/src/target/target.c
+++ b/src/target/target.c
@@ -4353,9 +4353,14 @@ static int target_create(Jim_GetOptInfo *goi)
 	if (!target->variant)
 		target->variant = strdup("");
 
+	cp = Jim_GetString(new_cmd, NULL);
+	target->cmd_name = strdup(cp);
+
 	/* create the target specific commands */
-	if (target->type->register_commands) {
-		(*(target->type->register_commands))(cmd_ctx);
+	if (target->type->commands) {
+		e = register_commands(cmd_ctx, NULL, target->type->commands);
+		if (ERROR_OK != e)
+			LOG_ERROR("unable to register '%s' commands", cp);
 	}
 	if (target->type->target_create) {
 		(*(target->type->target_create))(target, goi->interp);
@@ -4371,9 +4376,6 @@ static int target_create(Jim_GetOptInfo *goi)
 		*tpp = target;
 	}
 
-	cp = Jim_GetString(new_cmd, NULL);
-	target->cmd_name = strdup(cp);
-
 	/* now - create the new target name command */
 	e = Jim_CreateCommand(goi->interp,
 						   /* name */
diff --git a/src/target/target_type.h b/src/target/target_type.h
index aa87a7449..9a0709d85 100644
--- a/src/target/target_type.h
+++ b/src/target/target_type.h
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ struct target_type
 	 */
 	int (*run_algorithm)(struct target *target, int num_mem_params, struct mem_param *mem_params, int num_reg_params, struct reg_param *reg_param, uint32_t entry_point, uint32_t exit_point, int timeout_ms, void *arch_info);
 
-	int (*register_commands)(struct command_context *cmd_ctx);
+	const struct command_registration *commands;
 
 	/* called when target is created */
 	int (*target_create)(struct target *target, Jim_Interp *interp);
diff --git a/src/target/xscale.c b/src/target/xscale.c
index 965ac52e7..e402a11cb 100644
--- a/src/target/xscale.c
+++ b/src/target/xscale.c
@@ -3652,6 +3652,9 @@ static const struct command_registration xscale_any_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 static const struct command_registration xscale_command_handlers[] = {
+	{
+		.chain = arm_command_handlers,
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "xscale",
 		.mode = COMMAND_ANY,
@@ -3661,14 +3664,6 @@ static const struct command_registration xscale_command_handlers[] = {
 	COMMAND_REGISTRATION_DONE
 };
 
-static int xscale_register_commands(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
-{
-
-	armv4_5_register_commands(cmd_ctx);
-
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 struct target_type xscale_target =
 {
 	.name = "xscale",
@@ -3702,7 +3697,7 @@ struct target_type xscale_target =
 	.add_watchpoint = xscale_add_watchpoint,
 	.remove_watchpoint = xscale_remove_watchpoint,
 
-	.register_commands = xscale_register_commands,
+	.commands = xscale_command_handlers,
 	.target_create = xscale_target_create,
 	.init_target = xscale_init_target,