diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0df0f003c..49a4a456e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@ For documentation on the latest development code see the [documentation index][d
 * [elasticsearch](./plugins/inputs/elasticsearch)
 * [ethtool](./plugins/inputs/ethtool)
 * [exec](./plugins/inputs/exec) (generic executable plugin, support JSON, influx, graphite and nagios)
+* [execd](./plugins/inputs/execd)
 * [fail2ban](./plugins/inputs/fail2ban)
 * [fibaro](./plugins/inputs/fibaro)
 * [file](./plugins/inputs/file)
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/all/all.go b/plugins/inputs/all/all.go
index dec04b397..274d7fd41 100644
--- a/plugins/inputs/all/all.go
+++ b/plugins/inputs/all/all.go
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ import (
 	_ "github.com/influxdata/telegraf/plugins/inputs/elasticsearch"
 	_ "github.com/influxdata/telegraf/plugins/inputs/ethtool"
 	_ "github.com/influxdata/telegraf/plugins/inputs/exec"
+	_ "github.com/influxdata/telegraf/plugins/inputs/execd"
 	_ "github.com/influxdata/telegraf/plugins/inputs/fail2ban"
 	_ "github.com/influxdata/telegraf/plugins/inputs/fibaro"
 	_ "github.com/influxdata/telegraf/plugins/inputs/file"
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/execd/README.md b/plugins/inputs/execd/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1205fdd56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/inputs/execd/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+# Execd Input Plugin
+
+The `execd` plugin runs an external program as a daemon. The programs must output metrics in any one of the accepted [Input Data Formats](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/blob/master/docs/DATA_FORMATS_INPUT.md) on its standard output.
+
+The `signal` can be configured to send a signal the running daemon on each collection interval.
+
+Program output on standard error is mirrored to the telegraf log.
+
+### Configuration:
+
+```toml
+  ## Program to run as daemon
+  command = ["telegraf-smartctl", "-d", "/dev/sda"]
+
+  ## Define how the process is signaled on each collection interval.
+
+  ## Valid values are:
+  ##   "none"    : Do not signal anything.
+  ##              The process must output metrics by itself.
+  ##   "STDIN"   : Send a newline on STDIN.
+  ##   "SIGHUP"  : Send a HUP signal. Not available on Windows.
+  ##   "SIGUSR1" : Send a USR1 signal. Not available on Windows.
+  ##   "SIGUSR2" : Send a USR2 signal. Not available on Windows.
+  signal = "none"
+
+  ## Delay before the process is restarted after an unexpected termination
+  restart_delay = "10s"
+
+  ## Data format to consume.
+  ## Each data format has its own unique set of configuration options, read
+  ## more about them here:
+  ## https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/blob/master/docs/DATA_FORMATS_INPUT.md
+  data_format = "influx"
+```
+
+### Example
+
+##### Daemon written in bash using STDIN signaling
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+
+counter=0
+
+while IFS= read -r LINE; do
+    echo "counter_bash count=${counter}"
+    let counter=counter+1
+done
+```
+
+```toml
+[[inputs.execd]]
+  command = ["plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.sh"]
+  signal = "STDIN"
+```
+
+##### Go daemon using SIGHUP
+
+```go
+package main
+
+import (
+    "fmt"
+    "os"
+    "os/signal"
+    "syscall"
+)
+
+func main() {
+    c := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+    signal.Notify(c, syscall.SIGHUP)
+
+    counter := 0
+
+    for {
+        <-c
+
+        fmt.Printf("counter_go count=%d\n", counter)
+        counter++
+    }
+}
+
+```
+
+```toml
+[[inputs.execd]]
+  command = ["plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.go.exe"]
+  signal = "SIGHUP"
+```
+
+##### Ruby daemon running standalone
+
+```ruby
+#!/usr/bin/env ruby
+
+counter = 0
+
+loop do
+  puts "counter_ruby count=#{counter}"
+  STDOUT.flush
+
+  counter += 1
+  sleep 1
+end
+```
+
+```toml
+[[inputs.execd]]
+  command = ["plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.rb"]
+  signal = "none"
+```
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.go b/plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d5e4a12e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.go
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package main
+
+// Example using HUP signaling
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/signal"
+	"syscall"
+)
+
+func main() {
+	c := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+	signal.Notify(c, syscall.SIGHUP)
+
+	counter := 0
+
+	for {
+		<-c
+
+		fmt.Printf("counter_go count=%d\n", counter)
+		counter++
+	}
+}
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.rb b/plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.rb
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..220848d64
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env ruby
+
+## Example in Ruby not using any signaling
+
+counter = 0
+
+loop do
+  puts "counter_ruby count=#{counter}"
+  STDOUT.flush
+  counter += 1
+
+  sleep 1
+end
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.sh b/plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..aa6932a80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/inputs/execd/examples/count.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+## Example in bash using STDIN signaling
+
+counter=0
+
+while read; do
+    echo "counter_bash count=${counter}"
+    let counter=counter+1
+done
+
+(>&2 echo "terminate")
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/execd/execd.go b/plugins/inputs/execd/execd.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0d1fc7cc5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/inputs/execd/execd.go
@@ -0,0 +1,209 @@
+package execd
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"log"
+	"os/exec"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/influxdata/telegraf"
+	"github.com/influxdata/telegraf/internal"
+	"github.com/influxdata/telegraf/plugins/inputs"
+	"github.com/influxdata/telegraf/plugins/parsers"
+)
+
+const sampleConfig = `
+  ## Program to run as daemon
+  command = ["telegraf-smartctl", "-d", "/dev/sda"]
+
+  ## Define how the process is signaled on each collection interval.
+
+  ## Valid values are:
+  ##   "none"   : Do not signal anything.
+  ##              The process must output metrics by itself.
+  ##   "STDIN"  : Send a newline on STDIN.
+  ##   "SIGHUP" : Send a HUP signal. Not available on Windows.
+  signal = "none"
+
+  ## Delay before the process is restarted after an unexpected termination
+  restart_delay = "10s"
+
+  ## Data format to consume.
+  ## Each data format has its own unique set of configuration options, read
+  ## more about them here:
+  ## https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/blob/master/docs/DATA_FORMATS_INPUT.md
+  data_format = "influx"
+`
+
+type Execd struct {
+	Command      []string
+	Signal       string
+	RestartDelay internal.Duration
+
+	acc    telegraf.Accumulator
+	cmd    *exec.Cmd
+	parser parsers.Parser
+	stdin  io.WriteCloser
+	cancel context.CancelFunc
+	wg     sync.WaitGroup
+}
+
+func (e *Execd) SampleConfig() string {
+	return sampleConfig
+}
+
+func (e *Execd) Description() string {
+	return "Run executable as long-running input plugin"
+}
+
+func (e *Execd) SetParser(parser parsers.Parser) {
+	e.parser = parser
+}
+
+func (e *Execd) Start(acc telegraf.Accumulator) error {
+	e.acc = acc
+
+	if len(e.Command) == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("E! [inputs.execd] FATAL no command specified")
+	}
+
+	e.wg.Add(1)
+
+	var ctx context.Context
+	ctx, e.cancel = context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+
+	go func() {
+		e.cmdLoop(ctx)
+		e.wg.Done()
+	}()
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (e *Execd) Stop() {
+	e.cancel()
+	e.wg.Wait()
+}
+
+func (e *Execd) cmdLoop(ctx context.Context) {
+	for {
+		// Use a buffered channel to ensure goroutine below can exit
+		// if `ctx.Done` is selected and nothing reads on `done` anymore
+		done := make(chan error, 1)
+		go func() {
+			done <- e.cmdRun()
+		}()
+
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			// Immediately exit process but with a graceful shutdown
+			// period before killing
+			internal.WaitTimeout(e.cmd, 0)
+			return
+		case err := <-done:
+			log.Printf("E! [inputs.execd] Process %s terminated: %s", e.Command, err)
+		}
+
+		log.Printf("E! [inputs.execd] Restarting in %s...", e.RestartDelay.Duration)
+
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-time.After(e.RestartDelay.Duration):
+			// Continue the loop and restart the process
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (e *Execd) cmdRun() error {
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+
+	if len(e.Command) > 1 {
+		e.cmd = exec.Command(e.Command[0], e.Command[1:]...)
+	} else {
+		e.cmd = exec.Command(e.Command[0])
+	}
+
+	stdin, err := e.cmd.StdinPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("E! [inputs.execd] Error opening stdin pipe: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	e.stdin = stdin
+
+	stdout, err := e.cmd.StdoutPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("E! [inputs.execd] Error opening stdout pipe: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	stderr, err := e.cmd.StderrPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("E! [inputs.execd] Error opening stderr pipe: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Printf("D! [inputs.execd] Starting process: %s", e.Command)
+
+	err = e.cmd.Start()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("E! [inputs.execd] Error starting process: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	wg.Add(2)
+
+	go func() {
+		e.cmdReadOut(stdout)
+		wg.Done()
+	}()
+
+	go func() {
+		e.cmdReadErr(stderr)
+		wg.Done()
+	}()
+
+	wg.Wait()
+	return e.cmd.Wait()
+}
+
+func (e *Execd) cmdReadOut(out io.Reader) {
+	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(out)
+
+	for scanner.Scan() {
+		metrics, err := e.parser.Parse(scanner.Bytes())
+		if err != nil {
+			e.acc.AddError(fmt.Errorf("E! [inputs.execd] Parse error: %s", err))
+		}
+
+		for _, metric := range metrics {
+			e.acc.AddMetric(metric)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if err := scanner.Err(); err != nil {
+		e.acc.AddError(fmt.Errorf("E! [inputs.execd] Error reading stdout: %s", err))
+	}
+}
+
+func (e *Execd) cmdReadErr(out io.Reader) {
+	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(out)
+
+	for scanner.Scan() {
+		log.Printf("E! [inputs.execd] stderr: %q", scanner.Text())
+	}
+
+	if err := scanner.Err(); err != nil {
+		e.acc.AddError(fmt.Errorf("E! [inputs.execd] Error reading stderr: %s", err))
+	}
+}
+
+func init() {
+	inputs.Add("execd", func() telegraf.Input {
+		return &Execd{
+			Signal:       "none",
+			RestartDelay: internal.Duration{Duration: 10 * time.Second},
+		}
+	})
+}
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/execd/execd_unix.go b/plugins/inputs/execd/execd_unix.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a092cfc80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/inputs/execd/execd_unix.go
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+// +build !windows
+
+package execd
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"syscall"
+
+	"github.com/influxdata/telegraf"
+)
+
+func (e *Execd) Gather(acc telegraf.Accumulator) error {
+	if e.cmd == nil || e.cmd.Process == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	switch e.Signal {
+	case "SIGHUP":
+		e.cmd.Process.Signal(syscall.SIGHUP)
+	case "SIGUSR1":
+		e.cmd.Process.Signal(syscall.SIGUSR1)
+	case "SIGUSR2":
+		e.cmd.Process.Signal(syscall.SIGUSR2)
+	case "STDIN":
+		io.WriteString(e.stdin, "\n")
+	case "none":
+	default:
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid signal: %s", e.Signal)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/execd/execd_win.go b/plugins/inputs/execd/execd_win.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..85ced4a6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/inputs/execd/execd_win.go
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+// +build windows
+
+package execd
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+
+	"github.com/influxdata/telegraf"
+)
+
+func (e *Execd) Gather(acc telegraf.Accumulator) error {
+	if e.cmd == nil || e.cmd.Process == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	switch e.Signal {
+	case "STDIN":
+		io.WriteString(e.stdin, "\n")
+	case "none":
+	default:
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid signal: %s", e.Signal)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}