diff --git a/django/contrib/auth/management/commands/changepassword.py b/django/contrib/auth/management/commands/changepassword.py
index 97a0a32fc0..647b7b1728 100644
--- a/django/contrib/auth/management/commands/changepassword.py
+++ b/django/contrib/auth/management/commands/changepassword.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
 import getpass
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand, CommandError
@@ -10,10 +9,6 @@ from django.utils.encoding import force_str
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Specifies the database to use. Default is "default".'),
-    )
     help = "Change a user's password for django.contrib.auth."
 
     requires_system_checks = False
@@ -24,12 +19,16 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             raise CommandError("aborted")
         return p
 
-    def handle(self, *args, **options):
-        if len(args) > 1:
-            raise CommandError("need exactly one or zero arguments for username")
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('username', nargs='?',
+            help='Username to change password for; by default, it\'s the current username.')
+        parser.add_argument('--database', action='store', dest='database',
+            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Specifies the database to use. Default is "default".')
 
-        if args:
-            username, = args
+    def handle(self, *args, **options):
+        if options.get('username'):
+            username = options['username']
         else:
             username = getpass.getuser()
 
diff --git a/django/contrib/auth/management/commands/createsuperuser.py b/django/contrib/auth/management/commands/createsuperuser.py
index 0ec4ec39b5..5b660031ba 100644
--- a/django/contrib/auth/management/commands/createsuperuser.py
+++ b/django/contrib/auth/management/commands/createsuperuser.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
 import getpass
 import sys
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
 from django.contrib.auth.management import get_default_username
@@ -22,33 +21,29 @@ class NotRunningInTTYException(Exception):
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
+    help = 'Used to create a superuser.'
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        # Options are defined in an __init__ method to support swapping out
-        # custom user models in tests.
         super(Command, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
         self.UserModel = get_user_model()
         self.username_field = self.UserModel._meta.get_field(self.UserModel.USERNAME_FIELD)
 
-        self.option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-            make_option('--%s' % self.UserModel.USERNAME_FIELD, dest=self.UserModel.USERNAME_FIELD, default=None,
-                help='Specifies the login for the superuser.'),
-            make_option('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
-                help=('Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind. '
-                    'You must use --%s with --noinput, along with an option for '
-                    'any other required field. Superusers created with --noinput will '
-                    ' not be able to log in until they\'re given a valid password.' %
-                    self.UserModel.USERNAME_FIELD)),
-            make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-                default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Specifies the database to use. Default is "default".'),
-        ) + tuple(
-            make_option('--%s' % field, dest=field, default=None,
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('--%s' % self.UserModel.USERNAME_FIELD,
+            dest=self.UserModel.USERNAME_FIELD, default=None,
+            help='Specifies the login for the superuser.')
+        parser.add_argument('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
+            help=('Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind. '
+                  'You must use --%s with --noinput, along with an option for '
+                  'any other required field. Superusers created with --noinput will '
+                  ' not be able to log in until they\'re given a valid password.' %
+                  self.UserModel.USERNAME_FIELD))
+        parser.add_argument('--database', action='store', dest='database',
+                default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+                help='Specifies the database to use. Default is "default".')
+        for field in self.UserModel.REQUIRED_FIELDS:
+            parser.add_argument('--%s' % field, dest=field, default=None,
                 help='Specifies the %s for the superuser.' % field)
-            for field in self.UserModel.REQUIRED_FIELDS
-        )
-
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list
-    help = 'Used to create a superuser.'
 
     def execute(self, *args, **options):
         self.stdin = options.get('stdin', sys.stdin)  # Used for testing
@@ -56,8 +51,6 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
         username = options.get(self.UserModel.USERNAME_FIELD, None)
-        interactive = options.get('interactive')
-        verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity', 1))
         database = options.get('database')
 
         # If not provided, create the user with an unusable password
@@ -65,7 +58,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         user_data = {}
 
         # Do quick and dirty validation if --noinput
-        if not interactive:
+        if not options['interactive']:
             try:
                 if not username:
                     raise CommandError("You must use --%s with --noinput." %
@@ -158,5 +151,5 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             user_data[self.UserModel.USERNAME_FIELD] = username
             user_data['password'] = password
             self.UserModel._default_manager.db_manager(database).create_superuser(**user_data)
-            if verbosity >= 1:
+            if options['verbosity'] >= 1:
                 self.stdout.write("Superuser created successfully.")
diff --git a/django/contrib/auth/tests/test_management.py b/django/contrib/auth/tests/test_management.py
index 7fd41b9e8b..a800b7379a 100644
--- a/django/contrib/auth/tests/test_management.py
+++ b/django/contrib/auth/tests/test_management.py
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ class ChangepasswordManagementCommandTestCase(TestCase):
         command = changepassword.Command()
         command._get_pass = lambda *args: 'not qwerty'
 
-        command.execute("joe", stdout=self.stdout)
+        command.execute(username="joe", stdout=self.stdout)
         command_output = self.stdout.getvalue().strip()
 
         self.assertEqual(command_output, "Changing password for user 'joe'\nPassword changed successfully for user 'joe'")
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ class ChangepasswordManagementCommandTestCase(TestCase):
         command._get_pass = lambda *args: args or 'foo'
 
         with self.assertRaises(CommandError):
-            command.execute("joe", stdout=self.stdout, stderr=self.stderr)
+            command.execute(username="joe", stdout=self.stdout, stderr=self.stderr)
 
     def test_that_changepassword_command_works_with_nonascii_output(self):
         """
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ class ChangepasswordManagementCommandTestCase(TestCase):
         command = changepassword.Command()
         command._get_pass = lambda *args: 'not qwerty'
 
-        command.execute("J\xfalia", stdout=self.stdout)
+        command.execute(username="J\xfalia", stdout=self.stdout)
 
 
 @skipIfCustomUser
@@ -333,6 +333,7 @@ class CreatesuperuserManagementCommandTestCase(TestCase):
             stdin=sentinel,
             stdout=six.StringIO(),
             interactive=False,
+            verbosity=0,
             username='janet',
             email='janet@example.com',
         )
@@ -342,6 +343,7 @@ class CreatesuperuserManagementCommandTestCase(TestCase):
         command.execute(
             stdout=six.StringIO(),
             interactive=False,
+            verbosity=0,
             username='joe',
             email='joe@example.com',
         )
diff --git a/django/contrib/gis/management/commands/ogrinspect.py b/django/contrib/gis/management/commands/ogrinspect.py
index 8926bc2131..e1f5829718 100644
--- a/django/contrib/gis/management/commands/ogrinspect.py
+++ b/django/contrib/gis/management/commands/ogrinspect.py
@@ -1,87 +1,82 @@
+import argparse
 import inspect
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.contrib.gis import gdal
-from django.core.management.base import LabelCommand, CommandError
+from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand, CommandError
 
 
-def layer_option(option, opt, value, parser):
+class LayerOptionAction(argparse.Action):
     """
-    Callback for `make_option` for the `ogrinspect` `layer_key`
-    keyword option which may be an integer or a string.
+    Custom argparse action for the `ogrinspect` `layer_key` keyword option
+    which may be an integer or a string.
     """
-    try:
-        dest = int(value)
-    except ValueError:
-        dest = value
-    setattr(parser.values, option.dest, dest)
+    def __call__(self, parser, namespace, value, option_string=None):
+        try:
+            setattr(namespace, self.dest, int(value))
+        except ValueError:
+            setattr(namespace, self.dest, value)
 
 
-def list_option(option, opt, value, parser):
+class ListOptionAction(argparse.Action):
     """
-    Callback for `make_option` for `ogrinspect` keywords that require
-    a string list.  If the string is 'True'/'true' then the option
+    Custom argparse action for `ogrinspect` keywords that require
+    a string list. If the string is 'True'/'true' then the option
     value will be a boolean instead.
     """
-    if value.lower() == 'true':
-        dest = True
-    else:
-        dest = [s for s in value.split(',')]
-    setattr(parser.values, option.dest, dest)
+    def __call__(self, parser, namespace, value, option_string=None):
+        if value.lower() == 'true':
+            setattr(namespace, self.dest, True)
+        else:
+            setattr(namespace, self.dest, value.split(','))
 
 
-class Command(LabelCommand):
+class Command(BaseCommand):
     help = ('Inspects the given OGR-compatible data source (e.g., a shapefile) and outputs\n'
             'a GeoDjango model with the given model name. For example:\n'
             ' ./manage.py ogrinspect zipcode.shp Zipcode')
-    args = '[data_source] [model_name]'
-
-    option_list = LabelCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--blank', dest='blank', type='string', action='callback',
-                    callback=list_option, default=False,
-                    help='Use a comma separated list of OGR field names to add '
-                    'the `blank=True` option to the field definition.  Set with'
-                    '`true` to apply to all applicable fields.'),
-        make_option('--decimal', dest='decimal', type='string', action='callback',
-                    callback=list_option, default=False,
-                    help='Use a comma separated list of OGR float fields to '
-                    'generate `DecimalField` instead of the default '
-                    '`FloatField`. Set to `true` to apply to all OGR float fields.'),
-        make_option('--geom-name', dest='geom_name', type='string', default='geom',
-                    help='Specifies the model name for the Geometry Field '
-                    '(defaults to `geom`)'),
-        make_option('--layer', dest='layer_key', type='string', action='callback',
-                    callback=layer_option, default=0,
-                    help='The key for specifying which layer in the OGR data '
-                    'source to use. Defaults to 0 (the first layer). May be '
-                    'an integer or a string identifier for the layer.'),
-        make_option('--multi-geom', action='store_true', dest='multi_geom', default=False,
-                    help='Treat the geometry in the data source as a geometry collection.'),
-        make_option('--name-field', dest='name_field',
-                    help='Specifies a field name to return for the `__unicode__`/`__str__` function.'),
-        make_option('--no-imports', action='store_false', dest='imports', default=True,
-                    help='Do not include `from django.contrib.gis.db import models` '
-                    'statement.'),
-        make_option('--null', dest='null', type='string', action='callback',
-                    callback=list_option, default=False,
-                    help='Use a comma separated list of OGR field names to add '
-                    'the `null=True` option to the field definition.  Set with'
-                    '`true` to apply to all applicable fields.'),
-        make_option('--srid', dest='srid',
-                    help='The SRID to use for the Geometry Field.  If it can be '
-                    'determined, the SRID of the data source is used.'),
-        make_option('--mapping', action='store_true', dest='mapping',
-                    help='Generate mapping dictionary for use with `LayerMapping`.')
-    )
 
     requires_system_checks = False
 
-    def handle(self, *args, **options):
-        try:
-            data_source, model_name = args
-        except ValueError:
-            raise CommandError('Invalid arguments, must provide: %s' % self.args)
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('data_source', help='Path to the data source.')
+        parser.add_argument('model_name', help='Name of the model to create.')
+        parser.add_argument('--blank', dest='blank',
+            action=ListOptionAction, default=False,
+            help='Use a comma separated list of OGR field names to add '
+            'the `blank=True` option to the field definition. Set to `true` '
+            'to apply to all applicable fields.')
+        parser.add_argument('--decimal', dest='decimal',
+            action=ListOptionAction, default=False,
+            help='Use a comma separated list of OGR float fields to '
+            'generate `DecimalField` instead of the default '
+            '`FloatField`. Set to `true` to apply to all OGR float fields.')
+        parser.add_argument('--geom-name', dest='geom_name', default='geom',
+            help='Specifies the model name for the Geometry Field '
+            '(defaults to `geom`)')
+        parser.add_argument('--layer', dest='layer_key',
+            action=LayerOptionAction, default=0,
+            help='The key for specifying which layer in the OGR data '
+            'source to use. Defaults to 0 (the first layer). May be '
+            'an integer or a string identifier for the layer.')
+        parser.add_argument('--multi-geom', action='store_true',
+            dest='multi_geom', default=False,
+            help='Treat the geometry in the data source as a geometry collection.')
+        parser.add_argument('--name-field', dest='name_field',
+            help='Specifies a field name to return for the `__unicode__`/`__str__` function.')
+        parser.add_argument('--no-imports', action='store_false', dest='imports', default=True,
+            help='Do not include `from django.contrib.gis.db import models` statement.')
+        parser.add_argument('--null', dest='null', action=ListOptionAction, default=False,
+            help='Use a comma separated list of OGR field names to add '
+            'the `null=True` option to the field definition. Set to `true` '
+            'to apply to all applicable fields.')
+        parser.add_argument('--srid', dest='srid',
+            help='The SRID to use for the Geometry Field. If it can be '
+            'determined, the SRID of the data source is used.')
+        parser.add_argument('--mapping', action='store_true', dest='mapping',
+            help='Generate mapping dictionary for use with `LayerMapping`.')
 
+    def handle(self, *args, **options):
+        data_source, model_name = options.pop('data_source'), options.pop('model_name')
         if not gdal.HAS_GDAL:
             raise CommandError('GDAL is required to inspect geospatial data sources.')
 
diff --git a/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/collectstatic.py b/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/collectstatic.py
index 0a1463426e..714f36e1de 100644
--- a/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/collectstatic.py
+++ b/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/collectstatic.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
 import os
 from collections import OrderedDict
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.core.files.storage import FileSystemStorage
 from django.core.management.base import CommandError, NoArgsCommand
@@ -18,32 +17,6 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
     Command that allows to copy or symlink static files from different
     locations to the settings.STATIC_ROOT.
     """
-    option_list = NoArgsCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--noinput',
-            action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
-            help="Do NOT prompt the user for input of any kind."),
-        make_option('--no-post-process',
-            action='store_false', dest='post_process', default=True,
-            help="Do NOT post process collected files."),
-        make_option('-i', '--ignore', action='append', default=[],
-            dest='ignore_patterns', metavar='PATTERN',
-            help="Ignore files or directories matching this glob-style "
-                "pattern. Use multiple times to ignore more."),
-        make_option('-n', '--dry-run',
-            action='store_true', dest='dry_run', default=False,
-            help="Do everything except modify the filesystem."),
-        make_option('-c', '--clear',
-            action='store_true', dest='clear', default=False,
-            help="Clear the existing files using the storage "
-                 "before trying to copy or link the original file."),
-        make_option('-l', '--link',
-            action='store_true', dest='link', default=False,
-            help="Create a symbolic link to each file instead of copying."),
-        make_option('--no-default-ignore', action='store_false',
-            dest='use_default_ignore_patterns', default=True,
-            help="Don't ignore the common private glob-style patterns 'CVS', "
-                "'.*' and '*~'."),
-    )
     help = "Collect static files in a single location."
     requires_system_checks = False
 
@@ -61,12 +34,38 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
         else:
             self.local = True
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('--noinput',
+            action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
+            help="Do NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.")
+        parser.add_argument('--no-post-process',
+            action='store_false', dest='post_process', default=True,
+            help="Do NOT post process collected files.")
+        parser.add_argument('-i', '--ignore', action='append', default=[],
+            dest='ignore_patterns', metavar='PATTERN',
+            help="Ignore files or directories matching this glob-style "
+                "pattern. Use multiple times to ignore more.")
+        parser.add_argument('-n', '--dry-run',
+            action='store_true', dest='dry_run', default=False,
+            help="Do everything except modify the filesystem.")
+        parser.add_argument('-c', '--clear',
+            action='store_true', dest='clear', default=False,
+            help="Clear the existing files using the storage "
+                 "before trying to copy or link the original file.")
+        parser.add_argument('-l', '--link',
+            action='store_true', dest='link', default=False,
+            help="Create a symbolic link to each file instead of copying.")
+        parser.add_argument('--no-default-ignore', action='store_false',
+            dest='use_default_ignore_patterns', default=True,
+            help="Don't ignore the common private glob-style patterns 'CVS', "
+                "'.*' and '*~'.")
+
     def set_options(self, **options):
         """
         Set instance variables based on an options dict
         """
         self.interactive = options['interactive']
-        self.verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity', 1))
+        self.verbosity = options['verbosity']
         self.symlink = options['link']
         self.clear = options['clear']
         self.dry_run = options['dry_run']
diff --git a/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/findstatic.py b/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/findstatic.py
index 7da7041c9b..658ac3f248 100644
--- a/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/findstatic.py
+++ b/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/findstatic.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
 import os
-from optparse import make_option
 from django.core.management.base import LabelCommand
 from django.utils.encoding import force_text
 
@@ -10,15 +9,16 @@ from django.contrib.staticfiles import finders
 
 class Command(LabelCommand):
     help = "Finds the absolute paths for the given static file(s)."
-    args = "[file ...]"
     label = 'static file'
-    option_list = LabelCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--first', action='store_false', dest='all', default=True,
-                    help="Only return the first match for each static file."),
-    )
+
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--first', action='store_false', dest='all',
+            default=True,
+            help="Only return the first match for each static file.")
 
     def handle_label(self, path, **options):
-        verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity', 1))
+        verbosity = options['verbosity']
         result = finders.find(path, all=options['all'])
         path = force_text(path)
         if verbosity >= 2:
diff --git a/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/runserver.py b/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/runserver.py
index 64c711ae54..fd358bee3d 100644
--- a/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/runserver.py
+++ b/django/contrib/staticfiles/management/commands/runserver.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.core.management.commands.runserver import Command as RunserverCommand
 
@@ -7,14 +5,15 @@ from django.contrib.staticfiles.handlers import StaticFilesHandler
 
 
 class Command(RunserverCommand):
-    option_list = RunserverCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--nostatic', action="store_false", dest='use_static_handler', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django to NOT automatically serve static files at STATIC_URL.'),
-        make_option('--insecure', action="store_true", dest='insecure_serving', default=False,
-            help='Allows serving static files even if DEBUG is False.'),
-    )
     help = "Starts a lightweight Web server for development and also serves static files."
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--nostatic', action="store_false", dest='use_static_handler', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django to NOT automatically serve static files at STATIC_URL.')
+        parser.add_argument('--insecure', action="store_true", dest='insecure_serving', default=False,
+            help='Allows serving static files even if DEBUG is False.')
+
     def get_handler(self, *args, **options):
         """
         Returns the static files serving handler wrapping the default handler,
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/check.py b/django/core/management/commands/check.py
index 3532ab4fa9..be9b49d54a 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/check.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/check.py
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.apps import apps
 from django.core import checks
 from django.core.checks.registry import registry
@@ -14,12 +12,12 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
 
     requires_system_checks = False
 
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--tag', '-t', action='append', dest='tags',
-            help='Run only checks labeled with given tag.'),
-        make_option('--list-tags', action='store_true', dest='list_tags',
-            help='List available tags.'),
-    )
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('args', metavar='app_label', nargs='*')
+        parser.add_argument('--tag', '-t', action='append', dest='tags',
+            help='Run only checks labeled with given tag.')
+        parser.add_argument('--list-tags', action='store_true', dest='list_tags',
+            help='List available tags.')
 
     def handle(self, *app_labels, **options):
         if options.get('list_tags'):
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/compilemessages.py b/django/core/management/commands/compilemessages.py
index 50cc1c9c93..71a52d1d6f 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/compilemessages.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/compilemessages.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 import codecs
 import glob
 import os
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand, CommandError
 from django.core.management.utils import find_command, popen_wrapper
@@ -30,13 +29,6 @@ def is_writable(path):
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--locale', '-l', dest='locale', action='append', default=[],
-                    help='Locale(s) to process (e.g. de_AT). Default is to process all. Can be '
-                         'used multiple times.'),
-        make_option('--exclude', '-x', dest='exclude', action='append', default=[],
-                    help='Locales to exclude. Default is none. Can be used multiple times.'),
-    )
     help = 'Compiles .po files to .mo files for use with builtin gettext support.'
 
     requires_system_checks = False
@@ -45,6 +37,13 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
     program = 'msgfmt'
     program_options = ['--check-format']
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('--locale', '-l', dest='locale', action='append', default=[],
+            help='Locale(s) to process (e.g. de_AT). Default is to process all. '
+            'Can be used multiple times.')
+        parser.add_argument('--exclude', '-x', dest='exclude', action='append', default=[],
+            help='Locales to exclude. Default is none. Can be used multiple times.')
+
     def handle(self, **options):
         locale = options.get('locale')
         exclude = options.get('exclude')
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/createcachetable.py b/django/core/management/commands/createcachetable.py
index 3eb4a84057..da39e9ad1e 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/createcachetable.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/createcachetable.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.core.cache import caches
 from django.core.cache.backends.db import BaseDatabaseCache
@@ -12,15 +10,17 @@ from django.utils.encoding import force_text
 class Command(BaseCommand):
     help = "Creates the tables needed to use the SQL cache backend."
 
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database onto '
-                'which the cache tables will be installed. '
-                'Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-    )
-
     requires_system_checks = False
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('args', metavar='table_name', nargs='*',
+            help='Optional table names. Otherwise, settings.CACHES is used to '
+            'find cache tables.')
+        parser.add_argument('--database', action='store', dest='database',
+            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database onto which the cache tables will be '
+            'installed. Defaults to the "default" database.')
+
     def handle(self, *tablenames, **options):
         db = options.get('database')
         self.verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity'))
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/dbshell.py b/django/core/management/commands/dbshell.py
index 5cb0a411a5..b771585bef 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/dbshell.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/dbshell.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand, CommandError
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
 
@@ -8,14 +6,13 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
     help = ("Runs the command-line client for specified database, or the "
         "default database if none is provided.")
 
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database onto which to '
-                'open a shell.  Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-    )
-
     requires_system_checks = False
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('--database', action='store', dest='database',
+            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database onto which to '
+            'open a shell. Defaults to the "default" database.')
+
     def handle(self, **options):
         connection = connections[options.get('database')]
         try:
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/diffsettings.py b/django/core/management/commands/diffsettings.py
index c346b14fff..cb31894aa8 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/diffsettings.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/diffsettings.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import NoArgsCommand
 
 
@@ -13,14 +11,13 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
     default settings. Settings that don't appear in the defaults are
     followed by "###"."""
 
-    option_list = NoArgsCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--all', action='store_true', dest='all', default=False,
-                    help='Display all settings, regardless of their value. '
-                         'Default values are prefixed by "###".'),
-    )
-
     requires_system_checks = False
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('--all', action='store_true', dest='all', default=False,
+            help='Display all settings, regardless of their value. '
+            'Default values are prefixed by "###".')
+
     def handle_noargs(self, **options):
         # Inspired by Postfix's "postconf -n".
         from django.conf import settings, global_settings
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/dumpdata.py b/django/core/management/commands/dumpdata.py
index 1611e9c03a..b5a3de5fd4 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/dumpdata.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/dumpdata.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import warnings
 
 from collections import OrderedDict
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.apps import apps
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand, CommandError
@@ -11,38 +10,39 @@ from django.utils.deprecation import RemovedInDjango19Warning
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--format', default='json', dest='format',
-            help='Specifies the output serialization format for fixtures.'),
-        make_option('--indent', default=None, dest='indent', type='int',
-            help='Specifies the indent level to use when pretty-printing output'),
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
-            help='Nominates a specific database to dump fixtures from. '
-                 'Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-        make_option('-e', '--exclude', dest='exclude', action='append', default=[],
-            help='An app_label or app_label.ModelName to exclude '
-                 '(use multiple --exclude to exclude multiple apps/models).'),
-        make_option('-n', '--natural', action='store_true', dest='use_natural_keys', default=False,
-            help='Use natural keys if they are available (deprecated: use --natural-foreign instead).'),
-        make_option('--natural-foreign', action='store_true', dest='use_natural_foreign_keys', default=False,
-            help='Use natural foreign keys if they are available.'),
-        make_option('--natural-primary', action='store_true', dest='use_natural_primary_keys', default=False,
-            help='Use natural primary keys if they are available.'),
-        make_option('-a', '--all', action='store_true', dest='use_base_manager', default=False,
-            help="Use Django's base manager to dump all models stored in the database, "
-                 "including those that would otherwise be filtered or modified by a custom manager."),
-        make_option('--pks', dest='primary_keys',
-            help="Only dump objects with given primary keys. "
-                 "Accepts a comma separated list of keys. "
-                 "This option will only work when you specify one model."),
-        make_option('-o', '--output', default=None, dest='output',
-            help='Specifies file to which the output is written.'),
-    )
     help = ("Output the contents of the database as a fixture of the given "
             "format (using each model's default manager unless --all is "
             "specified).")
-    args = '[app_label app_label.ModelName ...]'
+
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('args', metavar='app_label[.ModelName]', nargs='*',
+            help='Restricts dumped data to the specified app_label or app_label.ModelName.')
+        parser.add_argument('--format', default='json', dest='format',
+            help='Specifies the output serialization format for fixtures.')
+        parser.add_argument('--indent', default=None, dest='indent', type=int,
+            help='Specifies the indent level to use when pretty-printing output.')
+        parser.add_argument('--database', action='store', dest='database',
+            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a specific database to dump fixtures from. '
+                 'Defaults to the "default" database.')
+        parser.add_argument('-e', '--exclude', dest='exclude', action='append', default=[],
+            help='An app_label or app_label.ModelName to exclude '
+                 '(use multiple --exclude to exclude multiple apps/models).')
+        parser.add_argument('-n', '--natural', action='store_true', dest='use_natural_keys', default=False,
+            help='Use natural keys if they are available (deprecated: use --natural-foreign instead).')
+        parser.add_argument('--natural-foreign', action='store_true', dest='use_natural_foreign_keys', default=False,
+            help='Use natural foreign keys if they are available.')
+        parser.add_argument('--natural-primary', action='store_true', dest='use_natural_primary_keys', default=False,
+            help='Use natural primary keys if they are available.')
+        parser.add_argument('-a', '--all', action='store_true', dest='use_base_manager', default=False,
+            help="Use Django's base manager to dump all models stored in the database, "
+                 "including those that would otherwise be filtered or modified by a custom manager.")
+        parser.add_argument('--pks', dest='primary_keys',
+            help="Only dump objects with given primary keys. "
+                 "Accepts a comma separated list of keys. "
+                 "This option will only work when you specify one model.")
+        parser.add_argument('-o', '--output', default=None, dest='output',
+            help='Specifies file to which the output is written.')
 
     def handle(self, *app_labels, **options):
         format = options.get('format')
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/flush.py b/django/core/management/commands/flush.py
index 29e3a8ec58..fc2256d2e0 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/flush.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/flush.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import sys
 from importlib import import_module
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.apps import apps
 from django.db import connections, router, transaction, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -13,23 +12,24 @@ from django.utils import six
 
 
 class Command(NoArgsCommand):
-    option_list = NoArgsCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.'),
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to flush. '
-                'Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-        make_option('--no-initial-data', action='store_false', dest='load_initial_data', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django not to load any initial data after database synchronization.'),
-    )
     help = ('Removes ALL DATA from the database, including data added during '
            'migrations. Unmigrated apps will also have their initial_data '
            'fixture reloaded. Does not achieve a "fresh install" state.')
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.')
+        parser.add_argument('--database', action='store', dest='database',
+            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to flush. Defaults to the "default" database.')
+        parser.add_argument('--no-initial-data', action='store_false',
+            dest='load_initial_data', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django not to load any initial data after database synchronization.')
+
     def handle_noargs(self, **options):
         database = options.get('database')
         connection = connections[database]
-        verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity'))
+        verbosity = options.get('verbosity')
         interactive = options.get('interactive')
         # The following are stealth options used by Django's internals.
         reset_sequences = options.get('reset_sequences', True)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/inspectdb.py b/django/core/management/commands/inspectdb.py
index 52e75c21de..783dcc06f3 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/inspectdb.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/inspectdb.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 from collections import OrderedDict
 import keyword
 import re
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.core.management.base import NoArgsCommand, CommandError
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -12,16 +11,15 @@ from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
 class Command(NoArgsCommand):
     help = "Introspects the database tables in the given database and outputs a Django model module."
 
-    option_list = NoArgsCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to '
-                'introspect.  Defaults to using the "default" database.'),
-    )
-
     requires_system_checks = False
 
     db_module = 'django.db'
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('--database', action='store', dest='database',
+            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to '
+            'introspect. Defaults to using the "default" database.')
+
     def handle_noargs(self, **options):
         try:
             for line in self.handle_inspection(options):
@@ -30,7 +28,7 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
             raise CommandError("Database inspection isn't supported for the currently selected database backend.")
 
     def handle_inspection(self, options):
-        connection = connections[options.get('database')]
+        connection = connections[options['database']]
         # 'table_name_filter' is a stealth option
         table_name_filter = options.get('table_name_filter')
 
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/loaddata.py b/django/core/management/commands/loaddata.py
index bac4dd0c67..b6a1e1df38 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/loaddata.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/loaddata.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import gzip
 import os
 import warnings
 import zipfile
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.apps import apps
 from django.conf import settings
@@ -29,18 +28,21 @@ except ImportError:
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
     help = 'Installs the named fixture(s) in the database.'
-    args = "fixture [fixture ...]"
+    missing_args_message = ("No database fixture specified. Please provide the "
+                            "path of at least one fixture in the command line.")
 
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('args', metavar='fixture', nargs='+',
+            help='Fixture labels.')
+        parser.add_argument('--database', action='store', dest='database',
             default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a specific database to load '
-                'fixtures into. Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-        make_option('--app', action='store', dest='app_label',
-            default=None, help='Only look for fixtures in the specified app.'),
-        make_option('--ignorenonexistent', '-i', action='store_true', dest='ignore',
-            default=False, help='Ignores entries in the serialized data for fields'
-                                ' that do not currently exist on the model.'),
-    )
+            'fixtures into. Defaults to the "default" database.')
+        parser.add_argument('--app', action='store', dest='app_label',
+            default=None, help='Only look for fixtures in the specified app.')
+        parser.add_argument('--ignorenonexistent', '-i', action='store_true',
+            dest='ignore', default=False,
+            help='Ignores entries in the serialized data for fields that do not '
+            'currently exist on the model.')
 
     def handle(self, *fixture_labels, **options):
 
@@ -48,13 +50,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         self.using = options.get('database')
         self.app_label = options.get('app_label')
         self.hide_empty = options.get('hide_empty', False)
-
-        if not len(fixture_labels):
-            raise CommandError(
-                "No database fixture specified. Please provide the path "
-                "of at least one fixture in the command line.")
-
-        self.verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity'))
+        self.verbosity = options.get('verbosity')
 
         with transaction.atomic(using=self.using):
             self.loaddata(fixture_labels)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/makemessages.py b/django/core/management/commands/makemessages.py
index cd9f8c9e52..7f3f24428d 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/makemessages.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/makemessages.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import os
 import re
 import sys
 from itertools import dropwhile
-from optparse import make_option
 
 import django
 from django.core.management.base import CommandError, NoArgsCommand
@@ -164,34 +163,6 @@ def write_pot_file(potfile, msgs):
 
 
 class Command(NoArgsCommand):
-    option_list = NoArgsCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--locale', '-l', default=[], dest='locale', action='append',
-            help='Creates or updates the message files for the given locale(s) (e.g. pt_BR). '
-                 'Can be used multiple times.'),
-        make_option('--exclude', '-x', default=[], dest='exclude', action='append',
-                    help='Locales to exclude. Default is none. Can be used multiple times.'),
-        make_option('--domain', '-d', default='django', dest='domain',
-            help='The domain of the message files (default: "django").'),
-        make_option('--all', '-a', action='store_true', dest='all',
-            default=False, help='Updates the message files for all existing locales.'),
-        make_option('--extension', '-e', dest='extensions',
-            help='The file extension(s) to examine (default: "html,txt", or "js" if the domain is "djangojs"). Separate multiple extensions with commas, or use -e multiple times.',
-            action='append'),
-        make_option('--symlinks', '-s', action='store_true', dest='symlinks',
-            default=False, help='Follows symlinks to directories when examining source code and templates for translation strings.'),
-        make_option('--ignore', '-i', action='append', dest='ignore_patterns',
-            default=[], metavar='PATTERN', help='Ignore files or directories matching this glob-style pattern. Use multiple times to ignore more.'),
-        make_option('--no-default-ignore', action='store_false', dest='use_default_ignore_patterns',
-            default=True, help="Don't ignore the common glob-style patterns 'CVS', '.*', '*~' and '*.pyc'."),
-        make_option('--no-wrap', action='store_true', dest='no_wrap',
-            default=False, help="Don't break long message lines into several lines."),
-        make_option('--no-location', action='store_true', dest='no_location',
-            default=False, help="Don't write '#: filename:line' lines."),
-        make_option('--no-obsolete', action='store_true', dest='no_obsolete',
-            default=False, help="Remove obsolete message strings."),
-        make_option('--keep-pot', action='store_true', dest='keep_pot',
-            default=False, help="Keep .pot file after making messages. Useful when debugging."),
-    )
     help = ("Runs over the entire source tree of the current directory and "
 "pulls out all strings marked for translation. It creates (or updates) a message "
 "file in the conf/locale (in the django tree) or locale (for projects and "
@@ -206,11 +177,44 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
     msgattrib_options = ['--no-obsolete']
     xgettext_options = ['--from-code=UTF-8', '--add-comments=Translators']
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('--locale', '-l', default=[], dest='locale', action='append',
+            help='Creates or updates the message files for the given locale(s) (e.g. pt_BR). '
+                 'Can be used multiple times.')
+        parser.add_argument('--exclude', '-x', default=[], dest='exclude', action='append',
+                    help='Locales to exclude. Default is none. Can be used multiple times.')
+        parser.add_argument('--domain', '-d', default='django', dest='domain',
+            help='The domain of the message files (default: "django").')
+        parser.add_argument('--all', '-a', action='store_true', dest='all',
+            default=False, help='Updates the message files for all existing locales.')
+        parser.add_argument('--extension', '-e', dest='extensions',
+            help='The file extension(s) to examine (default: "html,txt", or "js" '
+                 'if the domain is "djangojs"). Separate multiple extensions with '
+                 'commas, or use -e multiple times.',
+            action='append')
+        parser.add_argument('--symlinks', '-s', action='store_true', dest='symlinks',
+            default=False, help='Follows symlinks to directories when examining '
+                                'source code and templates for translation strings.')
+        parser.add_argument('--ignore', '-i', action='append', dest='ignore_patterns',
+            default=[], metavar='PATTERN',
+            help='Ignore files or directories matching this glob-style pattern. '
+                 'Use multiple times to ignore more.')
+        parser.add_argument('--no-default-ignore', action='store_false', dest='use_default_ignore_patterns',
+            default=True, help="Don't ignore the common glob-style patterns 'CVS', '.*', '*~' and '*.pyc'.")
+        parser.add_argument('--no-wrap', action='store_true', dest='no_wrap',
+            default=False, help="Don't break long message lines into several lines.")
+        parser.add_argument('--no-location', action='store_true', dest='no_location',
+            default=False, help="Don't write '#: filename:line' lines.")
+        parser.add_argument('--no-obsolete', action='store_true', dest='no_obsolete',
+            default=False, help="Remove obsolete message strings.")
+        parser.add_argument('--keep-pot', action='store_true', dest='keep_pot',
+            default=False, help="Keep .pot file after making messages. Useful when debugging.")
+
     def handle_noargs(self, *args, **options):
         locale = options.get('locale')
         exclude = options.get('exclude')
         self.domain = options.get('domain')
-        self.verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity'))
+        self.verbosity = options.get('verbosity')
         process_all = options.get('all')
         extensions = options.get('extensions')
         self.symlinks = options.get('symlinks')
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/makemigrations.py b/django/core/management/commands/makemigrations.py
index 38ed9db473..e172213176 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/makemigrations.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/makemigrations.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import sys
 import os
 import operator
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.apps import apps
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand, CommandError
@@ -15,22 +14,21 @@ from django.utils.six.moves import reduce
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--dry-run', action='store_true', dest='dry_run', default=False,
-            help="Just show what migrations would be made; don't actually write them."),
-        make_option('--merge', action='store_true', dest='merge', default=False,
-            help="Enable fixing of migration conflicts."),
-        make_option('--empty', action='store_true', dest='empty', default=False,
-            help="Create an empty migration."),
-    )
-
     help = "Creates new migration(s) for apps."
-    usage_str = "Usage: ./manage.py makemigrations [--dry-run] [app [app ...]]"
-    args = "[app_label [app_label ...]]"
+
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('args', metavar='app_label', nargs='*',
+            help='Specify the app label(s) to create migrations for.')
+        parser.add_argument('--dry-run', action='store_true', dest='dry_run', default=False,
+            help="Just show what migrations would be made; don't actually write them.")
+        parser.add_argument('--merge', action='store_true', dest='merge', default=False,
+            help="Enable fixing of migration conflicts.")
+        parser.add_argument('--empty', action='store_true', dest='empty', default=False,
+            help="Create an empty migration.")
 
     def handle(self, *app_labels, **options):
 
-        self.verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity'))
+        self.verbosity = options.get('verbosity')
         self.interactive = options.get('interactive')
         self.dry_run = options.get('dry_run', False)
         self.merge = options.get('merge', False)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/migrate.py b/django/core/management/commands/migrate.py
index fffa1ebe6e..8fc6f7c3cb 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/migrate.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/migrate.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
-from optparse import make_option
+
 from collections import OrderedDict
 from importlib import import_module
 import itertools
@@ -20,26 +20,28 @@ from django.utils.module_loading import module_has_submodule
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.'),
-        make_option('--no-initial-data', action='store_false', dest='load_initial_data', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django not to load any initial data after database synchronization.'),
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to synchronize. '
-                'Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-        make_option('--fake', action='store_true', dest='fake', default=False,
-            help='Mark migrations as run without actually running them'),
-        make_option('--list', '-l', action='store_true', dest='list', default=False,
-            help='Show a list of all known migrations and which are applied'),
-    )
-
     help = "Updates database schema. Manages both apps with migrations and those without."
-    args = "[app_label] [migration_name]"
+
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('app_label', nargs='?',
+            help='App label of an application to synchronize the state.')
+        parser.add_argument('migration_name', nargs='?',
+            help='Database state will be brought to the state after that migration.')
+        parser.add_argument('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.')
+        parser.add_argument('--no-initial-data', action='store_false', dest='load_initial_data', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django not to load any initial data after database synchronization.')
+        parser.add_argument('--database', action='store', dest='database',
+            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to synchronize. '
+                'Defaults to the "default" database.')
+        parser.add_argument('--fake', action='store_true', dest='fake', default=False,
+            help='Mark migrations as run without actually running them')
+        parser.add_argument('--list', '-l', action='store_true', dest='list', default=False,
+            help='Show a list of all known migrations and which are applied')
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
 
-        self.verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity'))
+        self.verbosity = options.get('verbosity')
         self.interactive = options.get('interactive')
         self.show_traceback = options.get('traceback')
         self.load_initial_data = options.get('load_initial_data')
@@ -57,7 +59,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
 
         # If they asked for a migration listing, quit main execution flow and show it
         if options.get("list", False):
-            return self.show_migration_list(connection, args)
+            return self.show_migration_list(connection, [options['app_label']] if options['app_label'] else None)
 
         # Work out which apps have migrations and which do not
         executor = MigrationExecutor(connection, self.migration_progress_callback)
@@ -75,10 +77,8 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         # If they supplied command line arguments, work out what they mean.
         run_syncdb = False
         target_app_labels_only = True
-        if len(args) > 2:
-            raise CommandError("Too many command-line arguments (expecting 'app_label' or 'app_label migrationname')")
-        elif len(args) == 2:
-            app_label, migration_name = args
+        if options['app_label'] and options['migration_name']:
+            app_label, migration_name = options['app_label'], options['migration_name']
             if app_label not in executor.loader.migrated_apps:
                 raise CommandError("App '%s' does not have migrations (you cannot selectively sync unmigrated apps)" % app_label)
             if migration_name == "zero":
@@ -92,8 +92,8 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
                     raise CommandError("Cannot find a migration matching '%s' from app '%s'." % (app_label, migration_name))
                 targets = [(app_label, migration.name)]
             target_app_labels_only = False
-        elif len(args) == 1:
-            app_label = args[0]
+        elif options['app_label']:
+            app_label = options['app_label']
             if app_label not in executor.loader.migrated_apps:
                 raise CommandError("App '%s' does not have migrations (you cannot selectively sync unmigrated apps)" % app_label)
             targets = [key for key in executor.loader.graph.leaf_nodes() if key[0] == app_label]
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/runfcgi.py b/django/core/management/commands/runfcgi.py
index e701a64fba..98de800503 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/runfcgi.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/runfcgi.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import argparse
 import warnings
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
@@ -6,7 +7,10 @@ from django.utils.deprecation import RemovedInDjango19Warning
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
     help = "Runs this project as a FastCGI application. Requires flup."
-    args = '[various KEY=val options, use `runfcgi help` for help]'
+
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('args', nargs=argparse.REMAINDER,
+            help='Various KEY=val options.')
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
         warnings.warn(
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/runserver.py b/django/core/management/commands/runserver.py
index 2d7d6bffde..5211c25b8e 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/runserver.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/runserver.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from optparse import make_option
 from datetime import datetime
 import errno
 import os
@@ -26,27 +25,28 @@ DEFAULT_PORT = "8000"
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--ipv6', '-6', action='store_true', dest='use_ipv6', default=False,
-            help='Tells Django to use an IPv6 address.'),
-        make_option('--nothreading', action='store_false', dest='use_threading', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django to NOT use threading.'),
-        make_option('--noreload', action='store_false', dest='use_reloader', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django to NOT use the auto-reloader.'),
-    )
     help = "Starts a lightweight Web server for development."
-    args = '[optional port number, or ipaddr:port]'
 
     # Validation is called explicitly each time the server is reloaded.
     requires_system_checks = False
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('addrport', nargs='?',
+            help='Optional port number, or ipaddr:port')
+        parser.add_argument('--ipv6', '-6', action='store_true', dest='use_ipv6', default=False,
+            help='Tells Django to use an IPv6 address.')
+        parser.add_argument('--nothreading', action='store_false', dest='use_threading', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django to NOT use threading.')
+        parser.add_argument('--noreload', action='store_false', dest='use_reloader', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django to NOT use the auto-reloader.')
+
     def get_handler(self, *args, **options):
         """
         Returns the default WSGI handler for the runner.
         """
         return get_internal_wsgi_application()
 
-    def handle(self, addrport='', *args, **options):
+    def handle(self, *args, **options):
         from django.conf import settings
 
         if not settings.DEBUG and not settings.ALLOWED_HOSTS:
@@ -55,17 +55,15 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         self.use_ipv6 = options.get('use_ipv6')
         if self.use_ipv6 and not socket.has_ipv6:
             raise CommandError('Your Python does not support IPv6.')
-        if args:
-            raise CommandError('Usage is runserver %s' % self.args)
         self._raw_ipv6 = False
-        if not addrport:
+        if not options.get('addrport'):
             self.addr = ''
             self.port = DEFAULT_PORT
         else:
-            m = re.match(naiveip_re, addrport)
+            m = re.match(naiveip_re, options['addrport'])
             if m is None:
                 raise CommandError('"%s" is not a valid port number '
-                                   'or address:port pair.' % addrport)
+                                   'or address:port pair.' % options['addrport'])
             self.addr, _ipv4, _ipv6, _fqdn, self.port = m.groups()
             if not self.port.isdigit():
                 raise CommandError("%r is not a valid port number." % self.port)
@@ -79,18 +77,18 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         if not self.addr:
             self.addr = '::1' if self.use_ipv6 else '127.0.0.1'
             self._raw_ipv6 = bool(self.use_ipv6)
-        self.run(*args, **options)
+        self.run(**options)
 
-    def run(self, *args, **options):
+    def run(self, **options):
         """
         Runs the server, using the autoreloader if needed
         """
         use_reloader = options.get('use_reloader')
 
         if use_reloader:
-            autoreload.main(self.inner_run, args, options)
+            autoreload.main(self.inner_run, None, options)
         else:
-            self.inner_run(*args, **options)
+            self.inner_run(None, **options)
 
     def inner_run(self, *args, **options):
         from django.conf import settings
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/shell.py b/django/core/management/commands/shell.py
index 5e833a29e5..d0c03030af 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/shell.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/shell.py
@@ -1,24 +1,20 @@
-from optparse import make_option
 import os
 
 from django.core.management.base import NoArgsCommand
 
 
 class Command(NoArgsCommand):
-    shells = ['ipython', 'bpython']
-
-    option_list = NoArgsCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--plain', action='store_true', dest='plain',
-            help='Tells Django to use plain Python, not IPython or bpython.'),
-        make_option('--no-startup', action='store_true', dest='no_startup',
-            help='When using plain Python, ignore the PYTHONSTARTUP environment variable and ~/.pythonrc.py script.'),
-        make_option('-i', '--interface', action='store', type='choice', choices=shells,
-                    dest='interface',
-            help='Specify an interactive interpreter interface. Available options: "ipython" and "bpython"'),
-
-    )
     help = "Runs a Python interactive interpreter. Tries to use IPython or bpython, if one of them is available."
     requires_system_checks = False
+    shells = ['ipython', 'bpython']
+
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('--plain', action='store_true', dest='plain',
+            help='Tells Django to use plain Python, not IPython or bpython.')
+        parser.add_argument('--no-startup', action='store_true', dest='no_startup',
+            help='When using plain Python, ignore the PYTHONSTARTUP environment variable and ~/.pythonrc.py script.')
+        parser.add_argument('-i', '--interface', choices=self.shells, dest='interface',
+            help='Specify an interactive interpreter interface. Available options: "ipython" and "bpython"')
 
     def _ipython_pre_011(self):
         """Start IPython pre-0.11"""
@@ -65,16 +61,12 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
         raise ImportError
 
     def handle_noargs(self, **options):
-        use_plain = options.get('plain', False)
-        no_startup = options.get('no_startup', False)
-        interface = options.get('interface', None)
-
         try:
-            if use_plain:
+            if options['plain']:
                 # Don't bother loading IPython, because the user wants plain Python.
                 raise ImportError
 
-            self.run_shell(shell=interface)
+            self.run_shell(shell=options['interface'])
         except ImportError:
             import code
             # Set up a dictionary to serve as the environment for the shell, so
@@ -94,7 +86,7 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
 
             # We want to honor both $PYTHONSTARTUP and .pythonrc.py, so follow system
             # conventions and get $PYTHONSTARTUP first then .pythonrc.py.
-            if not no_startup:
+            if not options['no_startup']:
                 for pythonrc in (os.environ.get("PYTHONSTARTUP"), '~/.pythonrc.py'):
                     if not pythonrc:
                         continue
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/sql.py b/django/core/management/commands/sql.py
index 3fd081940d..4308c04adc 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/sql.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/sql.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import AppCommand
 from django.core.management.sql import sql_create
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -10,17 +8,17 @@ from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
 class Command(AppCommand):
     help = "Prints the CREATE TABLE SQL statements for the given app name(s)."
 
-    option_list = AppCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to print the '
-                'SQL for.  Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-    )
-
     output_transaction = True
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--database', default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to print the SQL for. Defaults to the '
+                 '"default" database.')
+
     def handle_app_config(self, app_config, **options):
         if app_config.models_module is None:
             return
-        connection = connections[options.get('database')]
+        connection = connections[options['database']]
         statements = sql_create(app_config, self.style, connection)
         return '\n'.join(statements)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/sqlall.py b/django/core/management/commands/sqlall.py
index 69746f1c3d..e7d7d0564d 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/sqlall.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/sqlall.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import AppCommand
 from django.core.management.sql import sql_all
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -10,17 +8,17 @@ from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
 class Command(AppCommand):
     help = "Prints the CREATE TABLE, custom SQL and CREATE INDEX SQL statements for the given model module name(s)."
 
-    option_list = AppCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to print the '
-                'SQL for.  Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-    )
-
     output_transaction = True
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--database', default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to print the SQL for. Defaults to the '
+                 '"default" database.')
+
     def handle_app_config(self, app_config, **options):
         if app_config.models_module is None:
             return
-        connection = connections[options.get('database')]
+        connection = connections[options['database']]
         statements = sql_all(app_config, self.style, connection)
         return '\n'.join(statements)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/sqlclear.py b/django/core/management/commands/sqlclear.py
index e611390533..e2d32e9618 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/sqlclear.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/sqlclear.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import AppCommand
 from django.core.management.sql import sql_delete
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -10,17 +8,17 @@ from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
 class Command(AppCommand):
     help = "Prints the DROP TABLE SQL statements for the given app name(s)."
 
-    option_list = AppCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to print the '
-                'SQL for.  Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-    )
-
     output_transaction = True
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--database', default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to print the SQL for. Defaults to the '
+                 '"default" database.')
+
     def handle_app_config(self, app_config, **options):
         if app_config.models_module is None:
             return
-        connection = connections[options.get('database')]
+        connection = connections[options['database']]
         statements = sql_delete(app_config, self.style, connection)
         return '\n'.join(statements)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/sqlcustom.py b/django/core/management/commands/sqlcustom.py
index bfc6f395d4..84f213ca60 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/sqlcustom.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/sqlcustom.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import AppCommand
 from django.core.management.sql import sql_custom
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -10,17 +8,17 @@ from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
 class Command(AppCommand):
     help = "Prints the custom table modifying SQL statements for the given app name(s)."
 
-    option_list = AppCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to print the '
-                'SQL for.  Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-    )
-
     output_transaction = True
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--database', default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to print the SQL for. Defaults to the '
+                 '"default" database.')
+
     def handle_app_config(self, app_config, **options):
         if app_config.models_module is None:
             return
-        connection = connections[options.get('database')]
+        connection = connections[options['database']]
         statements = sql_custom(app_config, self.style, connection)
         return '\n'.join(statements)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/sqldropindexes.py b/django/core/management/commands/sqldropindexes.py
index 4bdb42d608..f4789377d4 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/sqldropindexes.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/sqldropindexes.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import AppCommand
 from django.core.management.sql import sql_destroy_indexes
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -10,18 +8,17 @@ from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
 class Command(AppCommand):
     help = "Prints the DROP INDEX SQL statements for the given model module name(s)."
 
-    option_list = AppCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to print the '
-                'SQL for.  Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-
-    )
-
     output_transaction = True
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--database', default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to print the SQL for. Defaults to the '
+                 '"default" database.')
+
     def handle_app_config(self, app_config, **options):
         if app_config.models_module is None:
             return
-        connection = connections[options.get('database')]
+        connection = connections[options['database']]
         statements = sql_destroy_indexes(app_config, self.style, connection)
         return '\n'.join(statements)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/sqlflush.py b/django/core/management/commands/sqlflush.py
index 8ccc61e9a8..48bc693611 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/sqlflush.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/sqlflush.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import NoArgsCommand
 from django.core.management.sql import sql_flush
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -10,13 +8,13 @@ from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
 class Command(NoArgsCommand):
     help = "Returns a list of the SQL statements required to return all tables in the database to the state they were in just after they were installed."
 
-    option_list = NoArgsCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to print the '
-                'SQL for.  Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-    )
-
     output_transaction = True
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--database', default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to print the SQL for. Defaults to the '
+                 '"default" database.')
+
     def handle_noargs(self, **options):
-        return '\n'.join(sql_flush(self.style, connections[options.get('database')], only_django=True))
+        return '\n'.join(sql_flush(self.style, connections[options['database']], only_django=True))
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/sqlindexes.py b/django/core/management/commands/sqlindexes.py
index 2f1fd8d103..0fbbb0cdb9 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/sqlindexes.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/sqlindexes.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import AppCommand
 from django.core.management.sql import sql_indexes
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -10,18 +8,17 @@ from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
 class Command(AppCommand):
     help = "Prints the CREATE INDEX SQL statements for the given model module name(s)."
 
-    option_list = AppCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to print the '
-                'SQL for.  Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-
-    )
-
     output_transaction = True
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--database', default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to print the SQL for. Defaults to the '
+                 '"default" database.')
+
     def handle_app_config(self, app_config, **options):
         if app_config.models_module is None:
             return
-        connection = connections[options.get('database')]
+        connection = connections[options['database']]
         statements = sql_indexes(app_config, self.style, connection)
         return '\n'.join(statements)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/sqlmigrate.py b/django/core/management/commands/sqlmigrate.py
index e8ced69c21..eb43cec351 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/sqlmigrate.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/sqlmigrate.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand, CommandError
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -9,44 +8,41 @@ from django.db.migrations.loader import AmbiguityError
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to create SQL for. '
-                'Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-        make_option('--backwards', action='store_true', dest='backwards',
-            default=False, help='Creates SQL to unapply the migration, rather than to apply it'),
-    )
-
     help = "Prints the SQL statements for the named migration."
 
-    def handle(self, *args, **options):
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('app_label',
+            help='App label of the application containing the migration.')
+        parser.add_argument('migration_name',
+            help='Migration name to print the SQL for.')
+        parser.add_argument('--database', default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to create SQL for. Defaults to the '
+                 '"default" database.')
+        parser.add_argument('--backwards', action='store_true', dest='backwards',
+            default=False, help='Creates SQL to unapply the migration, rather than to apply it')
 
+    def handle(self, *args, **options):
         # Get the database we're operating from
-        db = options.get('database')
-        connection = connections[db]
+        connection = connections[options['database']]
 
         # Load up an executor to get all the migration data
         executor = MigrationExecutor(connection)
 
         # Resolve command-line arguments into a migration
-        if len(args) != 2:
-            raise CommandError("Wrong number of arguments (expecting 'sqlmigrate app_label migrationname')")
-        else:
-            app_label, migration_name = args
-            if app_label not in executor.loader.migrated_apps:
-                raise CommandError("App '%s' does not have migrations" % app_label)
-            try:
-                migration = executor.loader.get_migration_by_prefix(app_label, migration_name)
-            except AmbiguityError:
-                raise CommandError("More than one migration matches '%s' in app '%s'. Please be more specific." % (app_label, migration_name))
-            except KeyError:
-                raise CommandError("Cannot find a migration matching '%s' from app '%s'. Is it in INSTALLED_APPS?" % (app_label, migration_name))
-            targets = [(app_label, migration.name)]
+        app_label, migration_name = options['app_label'], options['migration_name']
+        if app_label not in executor.loader.migrated_apps:
+            raise CommandError("App '%s' does not have migrations" % app_label)
+        try:
+            migration = executor.loader.get_migration_by_prefix(app_label, migration_name)
+        except AmbiguityError:
+            raise CommandError("More than one migration matches '%s' in app '%s'. Please be more specific." % (app_label, migration_name))
+        except KeyError:
+            raise CommandError("Cannot find a migration matching '%s' from app '%s'. Is it in INSTALLED_APPS?" % (app_label, migration_name))
+        targets = [(app_label, migration.name)]
 
         # Make a plan that represents just the requested migrations and show SQL
         # for it
-        plan = [(executor.loader.graph.nodes[targets[0]], options.get("backwards", False))]
+        plan = [(executor.loader.graph.nodes[targets[0]], options['backwards'])]
         sql_statements = executor.collect_sql(plan)
         for statement in sql_statements:
             self.stdout.write(statement)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/sqlsequencereset.py b/django/core/management/commands/sqlsequencereset.py
index 4f7ce4492a..729267bb73 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/sqlsequencereset.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/sqlsequencereset.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import AppCommand
 from django.core.management.sql import check_for_migrations
 from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
@@ -10,15 +8,14 @@ from django.db import connections, DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS
 class Command(AppCommand):
     help = 'Prints the SQL statements for resetting sequences for the given app name(s).'
 
-    option_list = AppCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to print the '
-                'SQL for.  Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-
-    )
-
     output_transaction = True
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--database', default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to print the SQL for. Defaults to the '
+                 '"default" database.')
+
     def handle_app_config(self, app_config, **options):
         if app_config.models_module is None:
             return
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/squashmigrations.py b/django/core/management/commands/squashmigrations.py
index 3101ca0b14..53e094a01b 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/squashmigrations.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/squashmigrations.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import sys
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand, CommandError
 from django.utils import six
@@ -11,25 +10,23 @@ from django.db.migrations.optimizer import MigrationOptimizer
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--no-optimize', action='store_true', dest='no_optimize', default=False,
-            help='Do not try to optimize the squashed operations.'),
-        make_option('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.'),
-    )
-
     help = "Squashes an existing set of migrations (from first until specified) into a single new one."
-    usage_str = "Usage: ./manage.py squashmigrations app migration_name"
-    args = "app_label migration_name"
 
-    def handle(self, app_label=None, migration_name=None, **options):
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('app_label',
+            help='App label of the application to squash migrations for.')
+        parser.add_argument('migration_name',
+            help='Migrations will be squashed until and including this migration.')
+        parser.add_argument('--no-optimize', action='store_true', dest='no_optimize', default=False,
+            help='Do not try to optimize the squashed operations.')
+        parser.add_argument('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.')
 
-        self.verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity'))
+    def handle(self, **options):
+
+        self.verbosity = options.get('verbosity')
         self.interactive = options.get('interactive')
-
-        if app_label is None or migration_name is None:
-            self.stderr.write(self.usage_str)
-            sys.exit(1)
+        app_label, migration_name = options['app_label'], options['migration_name']
 
         # Load the current graph state, check the app and migration they asked for exists
         executor = MigrationExecutor(connections[DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS])
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/startapp.py b/django/core/management/commands/startapp.py
index 77e884ca5a..23ae25446b 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/startapp.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/startapp.py
@@ -8,8 +8,10 @@ class Command(TemplateCommand):
     help = ("Creates a Django app directory structure for the given app "
             "name in the current directory or optionally in the given "
             "directory.")
+    missing_args_message = "You must provide an application name."
 
-    def handle(self, app_name=None, target=None, **options):
+    def handle(self, **options):
+        app_name, target = options.pop('name'), options.pop('directory')
         self.validate_name(app_name, "app")
 
         # Check that the app_name cannot be imported.
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/startproject.py b/django/core/management/commands/startproject.py
index 19eca8e018..f9c89d7493 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/startproject.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/startproject.py
@@ -9,8 +9,10 @@ class Command(TemplateCommand):
     help = ("Creates a Django project directory structure for the given "
             "project name in the current directory or optionally in the "
             "given directory.")
+    missing_args_message = "You must provide a project name."
 
-    def handle(self, project_name=None, target=None, *args, **options):
+    def handle(self, **options):
+        project_name, target = options.pop('name'), options.pop('directory')
         self.validate_name(project_name, "project")
 
         # Check that the project_name cannot be imported.
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/syncdb.py b/django/core/management/commands/syncdb.py
index 5b4791618f..52b9dde956 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/syncdb.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/syncdb.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import warnings
-from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.apps import apps
 from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
@@ -11,17 +10,16 @@ from django.utils.six.moves import input
 
 
 class Command(NoArgsCommand):
-    option_list = NoArgsCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.'),
-        make_option('--no-initial-data', action='store_false', dest='load_initial_data', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django not to load any initial data after database synchronization.'),
-        make_option('--database', action='store', dest='database',
-            default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS, help='Nominates a database to synchronize. '
-                'Defaults to the "default" database.'),
-    )
     help = "Deprecated - use 'migrate' instead."
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.')
+        parser.add_argument('--no-initial-data', action='store_false', dest='load_initial_data', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django not to load any initial data after database synchronization.')
+        parser.add_argument('--database', default=DEFAULT_DB_ALIAS,
+            help='Nominates a database to synchronize. Defaults to the "default" database.')
+
     def handle_noargs(self, **options):
         warnings.warn("The syncdb command will be removed in Django 1.9", RemovedInDjango19Warning)
         call_command("migrate", **options)
diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/testserver.py b/django/core/management/commands/testserver.py
index 78885bbdb2..0be8cb421a 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/testserver.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/testserver.py
@@ -1,30 +1,27 @@
+from django.core.management import call_command
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
-
-from optparse import make_option
+from django.db import connection
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
-            help='Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.'),
-        make_option('--addrport', action='store', dest='addrport',
-            type='string', default='',
-            help='port number or ipaddr:port to run the server on'),
-        make_option('--ipv6', '-6', action='store_true', dest='use_ipv6', default=False,
-            help='Tells Django to use an IPv6 address.'),
-    )
     help = 'Runs a development server with data from the given fixture(s).'
     args = '[fixture ...]'
 
     requires_system_checks = False
 
-    def handle(self, *fixture_labels, **options):
-        from django.core.management import call_command
-        from django.db import connection
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('args', metavar='fixture', nargs='*',
+            help='Path(s) to fixtures to load before running the server.')
+        parser.add_argument('--noinput', action='store_false', dest='interactive', default=True,
+            help='Tells Django to NOT prompt the user for input of any kind.')
+        parser.add_argument('--addrport', default='',
+            help='Port number or ipaddr:port to run the server on.')
+        parser.add_argument('--ipv6', '-6', action='store_true', dest='use_ipv6', default=False,
+            help='Tells Django to use an IPv6 address.')
 
-        verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity'))
+    def handle(self, *fixture_labels, **options):
+        verbosity = options.get('verbosity')
         interactive = options.get('interactive')
-        addrport = options.get('addrport')
 
         # Create a test database.
         db_name = connection.creation.create_test_db(verbosity=verbosity, autoclobber=not interactive, serialize=False)
@@ -39,7 +36,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         use_threading = connection.features.test_db_allows_multiple_connections
         call_command(
             'runserver',
-            addrport=addrport,
+            addrport=options['addrport'],
             shutdown_message=shutdown_message,
             use_reloader=False,
             use_ipv6=options['use_ipv6'],
diff --git a/django/core/management/templates.py b/django/core/management/templates.py
index d1044cbfab..d514c84755 100644
--- a/django/core/management/templates.py
+++ b/django/core/management/templates.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import stat
 import sys
 import tempfile
 
-from optparse import make_option
 from os import path
 
 import django
@@ -36,22 +35,6 @@ class TemplateCommand(BaseCommand):
     :param directory: The directory to which the template should be copied.
     :param options: The additional variables passed to project or app templates
     """
-    args = "[name] [optional destination directory]"
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--template',
-                    action='store', dest='template',
-                    help='The path or URL to load the template from.'),
-        make_option('--extension', '-e', dest='extensions',
-                    action='append', default=['py'],
-                    help='The file extension(s) to render (default: "py"). '
-                         'Separate multiple extensions with commas, or use '
-                         '-e multiple times.'),
-        make_option('--name', '-n', dest='files',
-                    action='append', default=[],
-                    help='The file name(s) to render. '
-                         'Separate multiple extensions with commas, or use '
-                         '-n multiple times.')
-    )
     requires_system_checks = False
     # Can't import settings during this command, because they haven't
     # necessarily been created.
@@ -62,10 +45,26 @@ class TemplateCommand(BaseCommand):
     # setting might not be available at all.
     leave_locale_alone = True
 
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('name', help='Name of the application or project.')
+        parser.add_argument('directory', nargs='?', help='Optional destination directory')
+        parser.add_argument('--template',
+            help='The path or URL to load the template from.')
+        parser.add_argument('--extension', '-e', dest='extensions',
+            action='append', default=['py'],
+            help='The file extension(s) to render (default: "py"). '
+                 'Separate multiple extensions with commas, or use '
+                 '-e multiple times.')
+        parser.add_argument('--name', '-n', dest='files',
+            action='append', default=[],
+            help='The file name(s) to render. '
+                 'Separate multiple extensions with commas, or use '
+                 '-n multiple times.')
+
     def handle(self, app_or_project, name, target=None, **options):
         self.app_or_project = app_or_project
         self.paths_to_remove = []
-        self.verbosity = int(options.get('verbosity'))
+        self.verbosity = options['verbosity']
 
         self.validate_name(name, app_or_project)
 
@@ -87,9 +86,9 @@ class TemplateCommand(BaseCommand):
                                    "exist, please create it first." % top_dir)
 
         extensions = tuple(
-            handle_extensions(options.get('extensions'), ignored=()))
+            handle_extensions(options['extensions'], ignored=()))
         extra_files = []
-        for file in options.get('files'):
+        for file in options['files']:
             extra_files.extend(map(lambda x: x.strip(), file.split(',')))
         if self.verbosity >= 2:
             self.stdout.write("Rendering %s template files with "
@@ -118,7 +117,7 @@ class TemplateCommand(BaseCommand):
         if not settings.configured:
             settings.configure()
 
-        template_dir = self.handle_template(options.get('template'),
+        template_dir = self.handle_template(options['template'],
                                             base_subdir)
         prefix_length = len(template_dir) + 1
 
diff --git a/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/base_command.py b/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/base_command.py
index c313235ead..14e9152d9d 100644
--- a/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/base_command.py
+++ b/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/base_command.py
@@ -1,17 +1,15 @@
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--option_a', '-a', action='store', dest='option_a', default='1'),
-        make_option('--option_b', '-b', action='store', dest='option_b', default='2'),
-        make_option('--option_c', '-c', action='store', dest='option_c', default='3'),
-    )
     help = 'Test basic commands'
     requires_system_checks = False
-    args = '[labels ...]'
+
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('args', nargs='*')
+        parser.add_argument('--option_a', '-a',  default='1')
+        parser.add_argument('--option_b', '-b',  default='2')
+        parser.add_argument('--option_c', '-c',  default='3')
 
     def handle(self, *labels, **options):
         print('EXECUTE:BaseCommand labels=%s, options=%s' % (labels, sorted(options.items())))
diff --git a/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/custom_startproject.py b/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/custom_startproject.py
index 8144b5b69c..0d9c7d339e 100644
--- a/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/custom_startproject.py
+++ b/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/custom_startproject.py
@@ -1,11 +1,8 @@
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.commands.startproject import Command as BaseCommand
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option('--extra',
-                    action='store', dest='extra',
-                    help='An arbitrary extra value passed to the context'),
-    )
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        super(Command, self).add_arguments(parser)
+        parser.add_argument('--extra',
+            help='An arbitrary extra value passed to the context')
diff --git a/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/label_command.py b/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/label_command.py
index 9bba413ff3..5bffeb3ae2 100644
--- a/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/label_command.py
+++ b/tests/admin_scripts/management/commands/label_command.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ from django.core.management.base import LabelCommand
 class Command(LabelCommand):
     help = "Test Label-based commands"
     requires_system_checks = False
-    args = '<label>'
 
     def handle_label(self, label, **options):
         print('EXECUTE:LabelCommand label=%s, options=%s' % (label, sorted(options.items())))
diff --git a/tests/admin_scripts/tests.py b/tests/admin_scripts/tests.py
index 75c272cf71..48414272ac 100644
--- a/tests/admin_scripts/tests.py
+++ b/tests/admin_scripts/tests.py
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ from django.utils._os import npath, upath
 from django.utils.six import StringIO
 from django.test import LiveServerTestCase, TestCase, override_settings
 from django.test.runner import DiscoverRunner
-from django.test.utils import str_prefix
 
 
 test_dir = os.path.realpath(os.path.join(os.environ['DJANGO_TEST_TEMP_DIR'], 'test_project'))
@@ -1378,7 +1377,8 @@ class CommandTypes(AdminScriptTestCase):
         args = ['sqlall', '--help']
         out, err = self.run_manage(args)
         self.assertNoOutput(err)
-        self.assertOutput(out, "Prints the CREATE TABLE, custom SQL and CREATE INDEX SQL statements for the given model module name(s).")
+        self.assertOutput(out, "Prints the CREATE TABLE, custom SQL and CREATE INDEX SQL statements for the\ngiven model module name(s).")
+        self.assertEqual(out.count('optional arguments'), 1)
 
     def test_no_color(self):
         "--no-color prevent colorization of the output"
@@ -1420,12 +1420,11 @@ class CommandTypes(AdminScriptTestCase):
     def _test_base_command(self, args, labels, option_a="'1'", option_b="'2'"):
         out, err = self.run_manage(args)
 
-        expected_out = str_prefix(
-            ("EXECUTE:BaseCommand labels=%%s, "
-             "options=[('no_color', False), ('option_a', %%s), ('option_b', %%s), "
-             "('option_c', '3'), ('pythonpath', None), ('settings', None), "
-             "('traceback', None), ('verbosity', %(_)s'1')]")
-        ) % (labels, option_a, option_b)
+        expected_out = (
+            "EXECUTE:BaseCommand labels=%s, "
+            "options=[('no_color', False), ('option_a', %s), ('option_b', %s), "
+            "('option_c', '3'), ('pythonpath', None), ('settings', None), "
+            "('traceback', False), ('verbosity', 1)]") % (labels, option_a, option_b)
         self.assertNoOutput(err)
         self.assertOutput(out, expected_out)
 
@@ -1629,7 +1628,7 @@ class ArgumentOrder(AdminScriptTestCase):
     def _test(self, args, option_b="'2'"):
         out, err = self.run_manage(args)
         self.assertNoOutput(err)
-        self.assertOutput(out, str_prefix("EXECUTE:BaseCommand labels=('testlabel',), options=[('no_color', False), ('option_a', 'x'), ('option_b', %%s), ('option_c', '3'), ('pythonpath', None), ('settings', 'alternate_settings'), ('traceback', None), ('verbosity', %(_)s'1')]") % option_b)
+        self.assertOutput(out, "EXECUTE:BaseCommand labels=('testlabel',), options=[('no_color', False), ('option_a', 'x'), ('option_b', %s), ('option_c', '3'), ('pythonpath', None), ('settings', 'alternate_settings'), ('traceback', False), ('verbosity', 1)]" % option_b)
 
 
 @override_settings(ROOT_URLCONF='admin_scripts.urls')
@@ -1646,7 +1645,7 @@ class StartProject(LiveServerTestCase, AdminScriptTestCase):
         "Make sure passing the wrong kinds of arguments raises a CommandError"
         out, err = self.run_django_admin(['startproject'])
         self.assertNoOutput(out)
-        self.assertOutput(err, "you must provide a project name")
+        self.assertOutput(err, "You must provide a project name.")
 
     def test_simple_project(self):
         "Make sure the startproject management command creates a project"
diff --git a/tests/bash_completion/management/commands/test_command.py b/tests/bash_completion/management/commands/test_command.py
index 0f5750645c..d2adf91e5a 100644
--- a/tests/bash_completion/management/commands/test_command.py
+++ b/tests/bash_completion/management/commands/test_command.py
@@ -1,13 +1,10 @@
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
 
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option("--list", action="store_true", dest="list",
-                    help="Print all options"),
-    )
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument("--list", action="store_true", dest="list",
+            help="Print all options")
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
         pass
diff --git a/tests/createsuperuser/tests.py b/tests/createsuperuser/tests.py
index 822f05d01b..b5036c85de 100644
--- a/tests/createsuperuser/tests.py
+++ b/tests/createsuperuser/tests.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class MultiDBChangepasswordManagementCommandTestCase(TestCase):
         command = changepassword.Command()
         command._get_pass = lambda *args: 'not qwerty'
 
-        command.execute("joe", database='other', stdout=self.stdout)
+        command.execute(username="joe", database='other', stdout=self.stdout)
         command_output = self.stdout.getvalue().strip()
 
         self.assertEqual(command_output, "Changing password for user 'joe'\nPassword changed successfully for user 'joe'")
diff --git a/tests/staticfiles_tests/tests.py b/tests/staticfiles_tests/tests.py
index afc9b0b17c..df9a6ce3a2 100644
--- a/tests/staticfiles_tests/tests.py
+++ b/tests/staticfiles_tests/tests.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ class BaseCollectionTestCase(BaseStaticFilesTestCase):
                         ignore_errors=True, onerror=rmtree_errorhandler)
 
     def run_collectstatic(self, **kwargs):
-        call_command('collectstatic', interactive=False, verbosity='0',
+        call_command('collectstatic', interactive=False, verbosity=0,
                      ignore_patterns=['*.ignoreme'], **kwargs)
 
     def _get_file(self, filepath):
@@ -559,7 +559,7 @@ class TestHashedFiles(object):
         """
         collectstatic_args = {
             'interactive': False,
-            'verbosity': '0',
+            'verbosity': 0,
             'link': False,
             'clear': False,
             'dry_run': False,
@@ -952,7 +952,7 @@ class TestStaticFilePermissions(BaseCollectionTestCase, StaticFilesTestCase):
 
     command_params = {'interactive': False,
                       'post_process': True,
-                      'verbosity': '0',
+                      'verbosity': 0,
                       'ignore_patterns': ['*.ignoreme'],
                       'use_default_ignore_patterns': True,
                       'clear': False,
diff --git a/tests/user_commands/management/commands/dance.py b/tests/user_commands/management/commands/dance.py
index 7297568f06..0c47401c25 100644
--- a/tests/user_commands/management/commands/dance.py
+++ b/tests/user_commands/management/commands/dance.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from optparse import make_option
-
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand, CommandError
 
 
@@ -8,10 +6,9 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
     args = ''
     requires_system_checks = True
 
-    option_list = BaseCommand.option_list + (
-        make_option("-s", "--style", default="Rock'n'Roll"),
-        make_option("-x", "--example")
-    )
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument("-s", "--style", default="Rock'n'Roll")
+        parser.add_argument("-x", "--example")
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
         example = options["example"]