An object shell console allows maintenance personnel to upgrade or otherwise modify an executing computer application without suspending or terminating the application's execution. The object shell console attaches to the application while it is executing and extracts program data. The program data is displayed to a maintenance person. Based on the program data, the maintenance person upgrades or otherwise modifies the application. Upgrades include corrections to reflect system upgrades and changing the behavior of the application. The application is modified without time-consuming and expensive program builds.