diff --git a/packages/console/src/browser/console-session-manager.ts b/packages/console/src/browser/console-session-manager.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..4b3c527e32511
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/console/src/browser/console-session-manager.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+/********************************************************************************
+ * Copyright (C) 2021 TypeFox and others.
+ *
+ * This program and the accompanying materials are made available under the
+ * terms of the Eclipse Public License v. 2.0 which is available at
+ * http://www.eclipse.org/legal/epl-2.0.
+ *
+ * This Source Code may also be made available under the following Secondary
+ * Licenses when the conditions for such availability set forth in the Eclipse
+ * Public License v. 2.0 are satisfied: GNU General Public License, version 2
+ * with the GNU Classpath Exception which is available at
+ * https://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/license.html.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: EPL-2.0 OR GPL-2.0 WITH Classpath-exception-2.0
+ ********************************************************************************/
+
+import { injectable } from '@theia/core/shared/inversify';
+import { Emitter, Disposable, DisposableCollection } from '@theia/core';
+import { ConsoleSession } from './console-session';
+import { Severity } from '@theia/core/lib/common/severity';
+
+@injectable()
+export class ConsoleSessionManager implements Disposable {
+
+    protected readonly sessions = new Map<string, ConsoleSession>();
+    protected _selectedSession: ConsoleSession | undefined;
+    protected _severity: Severity | undefined;
+
+    protected readonly sessionAddedEmitter = new Emitter<ConsoleSession>();
+    protected readonly sessionDeletedEmitter = new Emitter<ConsoleSession>();
+    protected readonly sessionWasShownEmitter = new Emitter<ConsoleSession>();
+    protected readonly sessionWasHiddenEmitter = new Emitter<ConsoleSession>();
+    protected readonly selectedSessionChangedEmitter = new Emitter<ConsoleSession | undefined>();
+    protected readonly severityChangedEmitter = new Emitter<void>();
+
+    readonly onSessionAdded = this.sessionAddedEmitter.event;
+    readonly onSessionDeleted = this.sessionDeletedEmitter.event;
+    readonly onSessionWasShown = this.sessionWasShownEmitter.event;
+    readonly onSessionWasHidden = this.sessionWasHiddenEmitter.event;
+    readonly onSelectedSessionChanged = this.selectedSessionChangedEmitter.event;
+    readonly onSeverityChanged = this.severityChangedEmitter.event;
+
+    protected readonly toDispose = new DisposableCollection();
+    protected readonly toDisposeOnSessionDeletion = new Map<string, Disposable>();
+
+    dispose(): void {
+        this.toDispose.dispose();
+    }
+
+    get severity(): Severity | undefined {
+        return this._severity;
+    }
+
+    set severity(value: Severity | undefined) {
+        value = value || Severity.Ignore;
+        this._severity = value;
+        for (const session of this.sessions.values()) {
+            session.severity = value;
+        }
+        this.severityChangedEmitter.fire(undefined);
+    }
+
+    get all(): ConsoleSession[] {
+        return Array.from(this.sessions.values());
+    }
+
+    get selectedSession(): ConsoleSession | undefined {
+        return this._selectedSession;
+    }
+
+    set selectedSession(session: ConsoleSession | undefined) {
+        const oldSession = this.selectedSession;
+        this._selectedSession = session;
+        this.selectedSessionChangedEmitter.fire(session);
+        if (oldSession !== session) {
+            if (oldSession) {
+                this.sessionWasHiddenEmitter.fire(oldSession);
+            }
+            if (session) {
+                this.sessionWasShownEmitter.fire(session);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    get(id: string): ConsoleSession | undefined {
+        return this.sessions.get(id);
+    }
+
+    add(session: ConsoleSession): void {
+        this.sessions.set(session.id, session);
+        this.sessionAddedEmitter.fire(session);
+        if (this.sessions.size === 1) {
+            this.selectedSession = session;
+        }
+    }
+
+    delete(id: string): void {
+        const session = this.sessions.get(id);
+        if (this.sessions.delete(id) && session) {
+            this.sessionDeletedEmitter.fire(session);
+            if (this.sessions.size === 0) {
+                this.selectedSessionChangedEmitter.fire(undefined);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/packages/console/src/browser/console-session.ts b/packages/console/src/browser/console-session.ts
index 6058d5e66ae18..4469db82388da 100644
--- a/packages/console/src/browser/console-session.ts
+++ b/packages/console/src/browser/console-session.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ export abstract class ConsoleSession extends TreeSource {
     protected selectedSeverity?: Severity;
     protected readonly selectionEmitter: Emitter<void> = new Emitter<void>();
     readonly onSelectionChange = this.selectionEmitter.event;
+    id: string;
 
     get severity(): Severity | undefined {
         return this.selectedSeverity;
diff --git a/packages/console/src/browser/console-widget.ts b/packages/console/src/browser/console-widget.ts
index e240ac9bd4a94..54eff1b51fe53 100644
--- a/packages/console/src/browser/console-widget.ts
+++ b/packages/console/src/browser/console-widget.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import { MonacoEditorProvider } from '@theia/monaco/lib/browser/monaco-editor-pr
 import { ConsoleHistory } from './console-history';
 import { ConsoleContentWidget } from './console-content-widget';
 import { ConsoleSession } from './console-session';
+import { ConsoleSessionManager } from './console-session-manager';
 
 export const ConsoleOptions = Symbol('ConsoleWidgetOptions');
 export interface ConsoleOptions {
@@ -67,6 +68,9 @@ export class ConsoleWidget extends BaseWidget implements StatefulWidget {
     @inject(ConsoleHistory)
     protected readonly history: ConsoleHistory;
 
+    @inject(ConsoleSessionManager)
+    protected readonly sessionManager: ConsoleSessionManager;
+
     @inject(MonacoEditorProvider)
     protected readonly editorProvider: MonacoEditorProvider;
 
@@ -109,6 +113,13 @@ export class ConsoleWidget extends BaseWidget implements StatefulWidget {
             }
         }));
 
+        this.toDispose.push(this.sessionManager.onSelectedSessionChanged(session => {
+            // Don't delete the last session by overriding it with 'undefined'
+            if (session) {
+                this.session = session;
+            }
+        }));
+
         this.updateFont();
         if (inputFocusContextKey) {
             this.toDispose.push(input.onFocusChanged(() => inputFocusContextKey.set(this.hasInputFocus())));
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/style/index.css b/packages/core/src/browser/style/index.css
index 6b99cbb27913e..8c90772a62c7d 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/style/index.css
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/style/index.css
@@ -205,6 +205,7 @@ button.secondary[disabled], .theia-button.secondary[disabled] {
     border: 1px solid var(--theia-dropdown-border);
     background: var(--theia-dropdown-background);
     outline: none;
+    margin-left: calc(var(--theia-ui-padding));
 }
 
 .theia-select option {
diff --git a/packages/debug/src/browser/console/debug-console-contribution.tsx b/packages/debug/src/browser/console/debug-console-contribution.tsx
index dd66d2b757a59..0b24e3e3a8c2c 100644
--- a/packages/debug/src/browser/console/debug-console-contribution.tsx
+++ b/packages/debug/src/browser/console/debug-console-contribution.tsx
@@ -14,15 +14,19 @@
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: EPL-2.0 OR GPL-2.0 WITH Classpath-exception-2.0
  ********************************************************************************/
 
+import { ConsoleSessionManager } from '@theia/console/lib/browser/console-session-manager';
 import { ConsoleOptions, ConsoleWidget } from '@theia/console/lib/browser/console-widget';
 import { AbstractViewContribution, bindViewContribution, Widget, WidgetFactory } from '@theia/core/lib/browser';
 import { ContextKey, ContextKeyService } from '@theia/core/lib/browser/context-key-service';
 import { TabBarToolbarContribution, TabBarToolbarRegistry } from '@theia/core/lib/browser/shell/tab-bar-toolbar';
 import { Command, CommandRegistry } from '@theia/core/lib/common/command';
 import { Severity } from '@theia/core/lib/common/severity';
-import { inject, injectable, interfaces } from '@theia/core/shared/inversify';
+import { inject, injectable, interfaces, postConstruct } from '@theia/core/shared/inversify';
 import * as React from '@theia/core/shared/react';
-import { DebugConsoleSession } from './debug-console-session';
+import { DebugConsoleMode } from '../../common/debug-configuration';
+import { DebugSession } from '../debug-session';
+import { DebugSessionManager } from '../debug-session-manager';
+import { DebugConsoleSession, DebugConsoleSessionFactory } from './debug-console-session';
 
 export type InDebugReplContextKey = ContextKey<boolean>;
 export const InDebugReplContextKey = Symbol('inDebugReplContextKey');
@@ -40,8 +44,14 @@ export namespace DebugConsoleCommands {
 @injectable()
 export class DebugConsoleContribution extends AbstractViewContribution<ConsoleWidget> implements TabBarToolbarContribution {
 
-    @inject(DebugConsoleSession)
-    protected debugConsoleSession: DebugConsoleSession;
+    @inject(ConsoleSessionManager)
+    protected consoleSessionManager: ConsoleSessionManager;
+
+    @inject(DebugConsoleSessionFactory)
+    protected debugConsoleSessionFactory: DebugConsoleSessionFactory;
+
+    @inject(DebugSessionManager)
+    protected debugSessionManager: DebugSessionManager;
 
     constructor() {
         super({
@@ -55,6 +65,37 @@ export class DebugConsoleContribution extends AbstractViewContribution<ConsoleWi
         });
     }
 
+    @postConstruct()
+    protected init(): void {
+        this.debugSessionManager.onDidCreateDebugSession(session => {
+            const topParent = this.findParentSession(session);
+            if (topParent) {
+                const parentConsoleSession = this.consoleSessionManager.get(topParent.id);
+                if (parentConsoleSession instanceof DebugConsoleSession) {
+                    session.on('output', event => parentConsoleSession.logOutput(parentConsoleSession.debugSession, event));
+                }
+            } else {
+                const consoleSession = this.debugConsoleSessionFactory(session);
+                this.consoleSessionManager.add(consoleSession);
+                session.on('output', event => consoleSession.logOutput(session, event));
+            }
+        });
+        this.debugSessionManager.onDidDestroyDebugSession(session => {
+            this.consoleSessionManager.delete(session.id);
+        });
+    }
+
+    protected findParentSession(session: DebugSession): DebugSession | undefined {
+        if (session.configuration.consoleMode !== DebugConsoleMode.MergeWithParent) {
+            return undefined;
+        }
+        let debugSession: DebugSession | undefined = session;
+        do {
+            debugSession = debugSession.parentSession;
+        } while (debugSession?.parentSession && debugSession.configuration.consoleMode === DebugConsoleMode.MergeWithParent);
+        return debugSession;
+    }
+
     registerCommands(commands: CommandRegistry): void {
         super.registerCommands(commands);
         commands.registerCommand(DebugConsoleCommands.CLEAR, {
@@ -71,7 +112,13 @@ export class DebugConsoleContribution extends AbstractViewContribution<ConsoleWi
             id: 'debug-console-severity',
             render: widget => this.renderSeveritySelector(widget),
             isVisible: widget => this.withWidget(widget, () => true),
-            onDidChange: this.debugConsoleSession.onSelectionChange
+            onDidChange: this.consoleSessionManager.onSeverityChanged
+        });
+
+        toolbarRegistry.registerItem({
+            id: 'debug-console-session-selector',
+            render: widget => this.renderDebugConsoleSelector(widget),
+            isVisible: widget => this.withWidget(widget, () => this.consoleSessionManager.all.length > 1)
         });
 
         toolbarRegistry.registerItem({
@@ -105,7 +152,6 @@ export class DebugConsoleContribution extends AbstractViewContribution<ConsoleWi
             inputFocusContextKey
         });
         const widget = child.get(ConsoleWidget);
-        widget.session = child.get(DebugConsoleSession);
         return widget;
     }
 
@@ -113,12 +159,14 @@ export class DebugConsoleContribution extends AbstractViewContribution<ConsoleWi
         bind(InDebugReplContextKey).toDynamicValue(({ container }) =>
             container.get(ContextKeyService).createKey('inDebugRepl', false)
         ).inSingletonScope();
-        bind(DebugConsoleSession).toSelf().inSingletonScope();
-        bindViewContribution(bind, DebugConsoleContribution).onActivation((context, _) => {
-            // eagerly initialize the debug console session
-            context.container.get(DebugConsoleSession);
-            return _;
+        bind(DebugConsoleSession).toSelf().inRequestScope();
+        bind(DebugConsoleSessionFactory).toFactory(context => (session: DebugSession) => {
+            const consoleSession = context.container.get(DebugConsoleSession);
+            consoleSession.debugSession = session;
+            return consoleSession;
         });
+        bind(ConsoleSessionManager).toSelf().inSingletonScope();
+        bindViewContribution(bind, DebugConsoleContribution);
         bind(TabBarToolbarContribution).toService(DebugConsoleContribution);
         bind(WidgetFactory).toDynamicValue(({ container }) => ({
             id: DebugConsoleContribution.options.id,
@@ -129,7 +177,7 @@ export class DebugConsoleContribution extends AbstractViewContribution<ConsoleWi
     protected renderSeveritySelector(widget: Widget | undefined): React.ReactNode {
         const severityElements: React.ReactNode[] = [];
         Severity.toArray().forEach(s => severityElements.push(<option value={s} key={s}>{s}</option>));
-        const selectedValue = Severity.toString(this.debugConsoleSession.severity || Severity.Ignore);
+        const selectedValue = Severity.toString(this.consoleSessionManager.severity || Severity.Ignore);
 
         return <select
             className='theia-select'
@@ -142,8 +190,32 @@ export class DebugConsoleContribution extends AbstractViewContribution<ConsoleWi
         </select>;
     }
 
+    protected renderDebugConsoleSelector(widget: Widget | undefined): React.ReactNode {
+        const availableConsoles: React.ReactNode[] = [];
+        this.consoleSessionManager.all.forEach(e => {
+            if (e instanceof DebugConsoleSession) {
+                availableConsoles.push(<option value={e.id} key={e.id}>{e.debugSession.label}</option>);
+            }
+        });
+        return <select
+            className='theia-select'
+            id='debugConsoleSelector'
+            key='debugConsoleSelector'
+            value={undefined}
+            onChange={this.changeDebugConsole}
+        >
+            {availableConsoles}
+        </select>;
+    }
+
+    protected changeDebugConsole = (event: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLSelectElement>) => {
+        const id = event.target.value;
+        const session = this.consoleSessionManager.get(id);
+        this.consoleSessionManager.selectedSession = session;
+    };
+
     protected changeSeverity = (event: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLSelectElement>) => {
-        this.debugConsoleSession.severity = Severity.fromValue(event.target.value);
+        this.consoleSessionManager.severity = Severity.fromValue(event.target.value);
     };
 
     protected withWidget<T>(widget: Widget | undefined = this.tryGetWidget(), fn: (widget: ConsoleWidget) => T): T | false {
diff --git a/packages/debug/src/browser/console/debug-console-session.ts b/packages/debug/src/browser/console/debug-console-session.ts
index 20fd98870af01..bbf93519ffd66 100644
--- a/packages/debug/src/browser/console/debug-console-session.ts
+++ b/packages/debug/src/browser/console/debug-console-session.ts
@@ -15,40 +15,44 @@
  ********************************************************************************/
 
 import throttle = require('@theia/core/shared/lodash.throttle');
-import { injectable, inject, postConstruct } from '@theia/core/shared/inversify';
 import { DebugProtocol } from 'vscode-debugprotocol/lib/debugProtocol';
 import { ConsoleSession, ConsoleItem } from '@theia/console/lib/browser/console-session';
 import { AnsiConsoleItem } from '@theia/console/lib/browser/ansi-console-item';
 import { DebugSession } from '../debug-session';
-import { DebugSessionManager } from '../debug-session-manager';
 import URI from '@theia/core/lib/common/uri';
 import { ExpressionContainer, ExpressionItem } from './debug-console-items';
 import { Severity } from '@theia/core/lib/common/severity';
+import { injectable, postConstruct } from '@theia/core/shared/inversify';
+
+export const DebugConsoleSessionFactory = Symbol('DebugConsoleSessionFactory');
+
+export type DebugConsoleSessionFactory = (debugSession: DebugSession) => DebugConsoleSession;
 
 @injectable()
 export class DebugConsoleSession extends ConsoleSession {
 
     static uri = new URI().withScheme('debugconsole');
 
-    readonly id = 'debug';
     protected items: ConsoleItem[] = [];
 
+    protected _debugSession: DebugSession;
+
     // content buffer for [append](#append) method
     protected uncompletedItemContent: string | undefined;
 
-    @inject(DebugSessionManager)
-    protected readonly manager: DebugSessionManager;
-
     protected readonly completionKinds = new Map<DebugProtocol.CompletionItemType | undefined, monaco.languages.CompletionItemKind>();
 
+    get debugSession(): DebugSession {
+        return this._debugSession;
+    }
+
+    set debugSession(value: DebugSession) {
+        this._debugSession = value;
+        this.id = value.id;
+    }
+
     @postConstruct()
     init(): void {
-        this.toDispose.push(this.manager.onDidCreateDebugSession(session => {
-            if (this.manager.sessions.length === 1) {
-                this.clear();
-            }
-            session.on('output', event => this.logOutput(session, event));
-        }));
         this.completionKinds.set('method', monaco.languages.CompletionItemKind.Method);
         this.completionKinds.set('function', monaco.languages.CompletionItemKind.Function);
         this.completionKinds.set('constructor', monaco.languages.CompletionItemKind.Constructor);
@@ -82,7 +86,7 @@ export class DebugConsoleSession extends ConsoleSession {
     }
 
     protected async completions(model: monaco.editor.ITextModel, position: monaco.Position): Promise<monaco.languages.CompletionList | undefined> {
-        const session = this.manager.currentSession;
+        const session = this.debugSession;
         if (session && session.capabilities.supportsCompletionsRequest) {
             const column = position.column;
             const lineNumber = position.lineNumber;
@@ -108,7 +112,7 @@ export class DebugConsoleSession extends ConsoleSession {
     }
 
     async execute(value: string): Promise<void> {
-        const expression = new ExpressionItem(value, () => this.manager.currentSession);
+        const expression = new ExpressionItem(value, () => this.debugSession);
         this.items.push(expression);
         await expression.evaluate();
         this.fireDidChange();
@@ -141,7 +145,7 @@ export class DebugConsoleSession extends ConsoleSession {
         this.fireDidChange();
     }
 
-    protected async logOutput(session: DebugSession, event: DebugProtocol.OutputEvent): Promise<void> {
+    async logOutput(session: DebugSession, event: DebugProtocol.OutputEvent): Promise<void> {
         const body = event.body;
         const { category, variablesReference } = body;
         if (category === 'telemetry') {
diff --git a/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session-contribution.ts b/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session-contribution.ts
index ebcab7eac6ab2..2d2fb5caed0a0 100644
--- a/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session-contribution.ts
+++ b/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session-contribution.ts
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ export const DebugSessionFactory = Symbol('DebugSessionFactory');
  * The [debug session](#DebugSession) factory.
  */
 export interface DebugSessionFactory {
-    get(sessionId: string, options: DebugSessionOptions): DebugSession;
+    get(sessionId: string, options: DebugSessionOptions, parentSession?: DebugSession): DebugSession;
 }
 
 @injectable()
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ export class DefaultDebugSessionFactory implements DebugSessionFactory {
     @inject(FileService)
     protected readonly fileService: FileService;
 
-    get(sessionId: string, options: DebugSessionOptions): DebugSession {
+    get(sessionId: string, options: DebugSessionOptions, parentSession?: DebugSession): DebugSession {
         const connection = new DebugSessionConnection(
             sessionId,
             () => new Promise<IWebSocket>(resolve =>
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ export class DefaultDebugSessionFactory implements DebugSessionFactory {
         return new DebugSession(
             sessionId,
             options,
+            parentSession,
             connection,
             this.terminalService,
             this.editorManager,
diff --git a/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session-manager.ts b/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session-manager.ts
index b337363392fdf..5384e30bc22dc 100644
--- a/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session-manager.ts
+++ b/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session-manager.ts
@@ -254,9 +254,10 @@ export class DebugSessionManager {
     }
 
     protected async doStart(sessionId: string, options: DebugSessionOptions): Promise<DebugSession> {
+        const parentSession = options.configuration.parentSession && this._sessions.get(options.configuration.parentSession.id);
         const contrib = this.sessionContributionRegistry.get(options.configuration.type);
         const sessionFactory = contrib ? contrib.debugSessionFactory() : this.debugSessionFactory;
-        const session = sessionFactory.get(sessionId, options);
+        const session = sessionFactory.get(sessionId, options, parentSession);
         this._sessions.set(sessionId, session);
 
         this.debugTypeKey.set(session.configuration.type);
diff --git a/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session.tsx b/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session.tsx
index d5e671bb98004..af133bc9e7391 100644
--- a/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session.tsx
+++ b/packages/debug/src/browser/debug-session.tsx
@@ -62,11 +62,14 @@ export class DebugSession implements CompositeTreeElement {
         this.onDidChangeBreakpointsEmitter.fire(uri);
     }
 
+    protected readonly childSessions = new Map<string, DebugSession>();
+
     protected readonly toDispose = new DisposableCollection();
 
     constructor(
         readonly id: string,
         readonly options: DebugSessionOptions,
+        readonly parentSession: DebugSession | undefined,
         protected readonly connection: DebugSessionConnection,
         protected readonly terminalServer: TerminalService,
         protected readonly editorManager: EditorManager,
@@ -75,6 +78,12 @@ export class DebugSession implements CompositeTreeElement {
         protected readonly messages: MessageClient,
         protected readonly fileService: FileService) {
         this.connection.onRequest('runInTerminal', (request: DebugProtocol.RunInTerminalRequest) => this.runInTerminal(request));
+        if (parentSession) {
+            parentSession.childSessions.set(id, this);
+            this.toDispose.push(Disposable.create(() => {
+                this.parentSession?.childSessions?.delete(id);
+            }));
+        }
         this.toDispose.pushAll([
             this.onDidChangeEmitter,
             this.onDidChangeBreakpointsEmitter,
@@ -731,14 +740,37 @@ export class DebugSession implements CompositeTreeElement {
     }
 
     render(): React.ReactNode {
+        let label = '';
+        const child = this.getSingleChildSession();
+        if (child && child.configuration.compact) {
+            // Inlines the name of the child debug session
+            label = `: ${child.label}`;
+        }
         return <div className='theia-debug-session' title='Session'>
-            <span className='label'>{this.label}</span>
+            <span className='label'>{this.label + label}</span>
             <span className='status'>{this.state === DebugState.Stopped ? 'Paused' : 'Running'}</span>
         </div>;
     }
 
-    getElements(): IterableIterator<DebugThread> {
-        return this.threads;
+    getElements(): IterableIterator<DebugThread | DebugSession> {
+        const child = this.getSingleChildSession();
+        if (child && child.configuration.compact) {
+            // Inlines the elements of the child debug session
+            return child.getElements();
+        }
+
+        const items = [];
+        items.push(...this.threads);
+        items.push(...this.childSessions.values());
+        return items.values();
+    }
+
+    protected getSingleChildSession(): DebugSession | undefined {
+        if (this._threads.size === 0 && this.childSessions.size === 1) {
+            const child = this.childSessions.values().next().value as DebugSession;
+            return child;
+        }
+        return undefined;
     }
 
     protected async handleContinued({ body: { allThreadsContinued, threadId } }: DebugProtocol.ContinuedEvent): Promise<void> {
diff --git a/packages/debug/src/browser/view/debug-threads-source.tsx b/packages/debug/src/browser/view/debug-threads-source.tsx
index 05a83b05214f4..11d1bbd9c7962 100644
--- a/packages/debug/src/browser/view/debug-threads-source.tsx
+++ b/packages/debug/src/browser/view/debug-threads-source.tsx
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ export class DebugThreadsSource extends TreeSource {
         if (this.model.sessionCount === 1 && this.model.session && this.model.session.threadCount) {
             return this.model.session.threads;
         }
-        return this.model.sessions;
+        const sessions = [...this.model.sessions].filter(e => !e.parentSession);
+        return sessions.values();
     }
 
 }
diff --git a/packages/debug/src/common/debug-configuration.ts b/packages/debug/src/common/debug-configuration.ts
index 6b1d5e4b7cac9..1b5fa6e7f24df 100644
--- a/packages/debug/src/common/debug-configuration.ts
+++ b/packages/debug/src/common/debug-configuration.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,12 @@ export interface DebugConfiguration {
      */
     [key: string]: any;
 
+    parentSession?: { id: string };
+
+    consoleMode?: DebugConsoleMode;
+
+    compact?: boolean;
+
     /**
      * The request type of the debug adapter session.
      */
@@ -74,3 +80,15 @@ export namespace DebugConfiguration {
         return !!arg && typeof arg === 'object' && 'type' in arg && 'name' in arg && 'request' in arg;
     }
 }
+
+export interface DebugSessionOptions {
+    parentSession?: { id: string };
+    consoleMode?: DebugConsoleMode;
+    noDebug?: boolean;
+    compact?: boolean;
+}
+
+export enum DebugConsoleMode {
+    Separate = 0,
+    MergeWithParent = 1
+}
diff --git a/packages/debug/src/common/debug-model.ts b/packages/debug/src/common/debug-model.ts
index ad2880f07f00e..5fd24a6b46217 100644
--- a/packages/debug/src/common/debug-model.ts
+++ b/packages/debug/src/common/debug-model.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ export const DebugAdapterSession = Symbol('DebugAdapterSession');
  */
 export interface DebugAdapterSession {
     id: string;
+    parentSession?: DebugAdapterSession;
     start(channel: WebSocketChannel): Promise<void>
     stop(): Promise<void>
 }
diff --git a/packages/debug/src/node/debug-adapter-session-manager.ts b/packages/debug/src/node/debug-adapter-session-manager.ts
index 975d32ab4c927..50ccd6236b325 100644
--- a/packages/debug/src/node/debug-adapter-session-manager.ts
+++ b/packages/debug/src/node/debug-adapter-session-manager.ts
@@ -67,6 +67,14 @@ export class DebugAdapterSessionManager implements MessagingService.Contribution
         const sessionFactory = registry.debugAdapterSessionFactory(config.type) || this.debugAdapterSessionFactory;
         const session = sessionFactory.get(sessionId, communicationProvider);
         this.sessions.set(sessionId, session);
+
+        if (config.parentSession) {
+            const parentSession = this.sessions.get(config.parentSession.id);
+            if (parentSession) {
+                session.parentSession = parentSession;
+            }
+        }
+
         return session;
     }
 
diff --git a/packages/plugin-ext/compile.tsconfig.json b/packages/plugin-ext/compile.tsconfig.json
index 3238f0d8c356a..8988050143fbe 100644
--- a/packages/plugin-ext/compile.tsconfig.json
+++ b/packages/plugin-ext/compile.tsconfig.json
@@ -73,6 +73,9 @@
     },
     {
       "path": "../workspace/compile.tsconfig.json"
+    },
+    {
+      "path": "../console/compile.tsconfig.json"
     }
   ]
 }
diff --git a/packages/plugin-ext/package.json b/packages/plugin-ext/package.json
index 5f6b59b8df93e..91986d5fe17c2 100644
--- a/packages/plugin-ext/package.json
+++ b/packages/plugin-ext/package.json
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
     "@theia/bulk-edit": "1.15.0",
     "@theia/callhierarchy": "1.15.0",
     "@theia/core": "1.15.0",
+    "@theia/console": "1.15.0",
     "@theia/debug": "1.15.0",
     "@theia/editor": "1.15.0",
     "@theia/file-search": "1.15.0",
diff --git a/packages/plugin-ext/src/common/plugin-api-rpc.ts b/packages/plugin-ext/src/common/plugin-api-rpc.ts
index cbce7991a9ffd..c41ff50852d00 100644
--- a/packages/plugin-ext/src/common/plugin-api-rpc.ts
+++ b/packages/plugin-ext/src/common/plugin-api-rpc.ts
@@ -1615,7 +1615,7 @@ export interface DebugMain {
     $unregisterDebuggerConfiguration(debugType: string): Promise<void>;
     $addBreakpoints(breakpoints: Breakpoint[]): Promise<void>;
     $removeBreakpoints(breakpoints: string[]): Promise<void>;
-    $startDebugging(folder: theia.WorkspaceFolder | undefined, nameOrConfiguration: string | theia.DebugConfiguration): Promise<boolean>;
+    $startDebugging(folder: theia.WorkspaceFolder | undefined, nameOrConfiguration: string | theia.DebugConfiguration, options: theia.DebugSessionOptions): Promise<boolean>;
     $customRequest(sessionId: string, command: string, args?: any): Promise<DebugProtocol.Response>;
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/plugin-ext/src/main/browser/debug/debug-main.ts b/packages/plugin-ext/src/main/browser/debug/debug-main.ts
index 01d4b9a60388a..277a4742d3d8b 100644
--- a/packages/plugin-ext/src/main/browser/debug/debug-main.ts
+++ b/packages/plugin-ext/src/main/browser/debug/debug-main.ts
@@ -30,9 +30,8 @@ import { EditorManager } from '@theia/editor/lib/browser';
 import { BreakpointManager, BreakpointsChangeEvent } from '@theia/debug/lib/browser/breakpoint/breakpoint-manager';
 import { DebugSourceBreakpoint } from '@theia/debug/lib/browser/model/debug-source-breakpoint';
 import { URI as Uri } from '@theia/core/shared/vscode-uri';
-import { DebugConsoleSession } from '@theia/debug/lib/browser/console/debug-console-session';
 import { SourceBreakpoint, FunctionBreakpoint } from '@theia/debug/lib/browser/breakpoint/breakpoint-marker';
-import { DebugConfiguration } from '@theia/debug/lib/common/debug-configuration';
+import { DebugConfiguration, DebugSessionOptions } from '@theia/debug/lib/common/debug-configuration';
 import { ConnectionMainImpl } from '../connection-main';
 import { DebuggerDescription } from '@theia/debug/lib/common/debug-service';
 import { DebugProtocol } from 'vscode-debugprotocol';
@@ -50,6 +49,8 @@ import { PluginDebugAdapterContributionRegistrator, PluginDebugService } from '.
 import { HostedPluginSupport } from '../../../hosted/browser/hosted-plugin';
 import { DebugFunctionBreakpoint } from '@theia/debug/lib/browser/model/debug-function-breakpoint';
 import { FileService } from '@theia/filesystem/lib/browser/file-service';
+import { ConsoleSessionManager } from '@theia/console/lib/browser/console-session-manager';
+import { DebugConsoleSession } from '@theia/debug/lib/browser/console/debug-console-session';
 
 export class DebugMainImpl implements DebugMain, Disposable {
     private readonly debugExt: DebugExt;
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ export class DebugMainImpl implements DebugMain, Disposable {
     private readonly labelProvider: LabelProvider;
     private readonly editorManager: EditorManager;
     private readonly breakpointsManager: BreakpointManager;
-    private readonly debugConsoleSession: DebugConsoleSession;
+    private readonly consoleSessionManager: ConsoleSessionManager;
     private readonly configurationManager: DebugConfigurationManager;
     private readonly terminalService: TerminalService;
     private readonly messages: MessageClient;
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ export class DebugMainImpl implements DebugMain, Disposable {
         this.labelProvider = container.get(LabelProvider);
         this.editorManager = container.get(EditorManager);
         this.breakpointsManager = container.get(BreakpointManager);
-        this.debugConsoleSession = container.get(DebugConsoleSession);
+        this.consoleSessionManager = container.get(ConsoleSessionManager);
         this.configurationManager = container.get(DebugConfigurationManager);
         this.terminalService = container.get(TerminalService);
         this.messages = container.get(MessageClient);
@@ -114,11 +115,17 @@ export class DebugMainImpl implements DebugMain, Disposable {
     }
 
     async $appendToDebugConsole(value: string): Promise<void> {
-        this.debugConsoleSession.append(value);
+        const session = this.consoleSessionManager.selectedSession;
+        if (session instanceof DebugConsoleSession) {
+            session.append(value);
+        }
     }
 
     async $appendLineToDebugConsole(value: string): Promise<void> {
-        this.debugConsoleSession.appendLine(value);
+        const session = this.consoleSessionManager.selectedSession;
+        if (session instanceof DebugConsoleSession) {
+            session.appendLine(value);
+        }
     }
 
     async $registerDebuggerContribution(description: DebuggerDescription): Promise<void> {
@@ -245,13 +252,13 @@ export class DebugMainImpl implements DebugMain, Disposable {
         throw new Error(`Debug session '${sessionId}' not found`);
     }
 
-    async $startDebugging(folder: WorkspaceFolder | undefined, nameOrConfiguration: string | DebugConfiguration): Promise<boolean> {
+    async $startDebugging(folder: WorkspaceFolder | undefined, nameOrConfiguration: string | DebugConfiguration, options: DebugSessionOptions): Promise<boolean> {
         let configuration: DebugConfiguration | undefined;
 
         if (typeof nameOrConfiguration === 'string') {
-            for (const options of this.configurationManager.all) {
-                if (options.configuration.name === nameOrConfiguration) {
-                    configuration = options.configuration;
+            for (const configOptions of this.configurationManager.all) {
+                if (configOptions.configuration.name === nameOrConfiguration) {
+                    configuration = configOptions.configuration;
                 }
             }
         } else {
@@ -263,6 +270,8 @@ export class DebugMainImpl implements DebugMain, Disposable {
             return false;
         }
 
+        Object.assign(configuration, options);
+
         const session = await this.sessionManager.start({
             configuration,
             workspaceFolderUri: folder && Uri.revive(folder.uri).toString()
diff --git a/packages/plugin-ext/src/main/browser/debug/plugin-debug-session-factory.ts b/packages/plugin-ext/src/main/browser/debug/plugin-debug-session-factory.ts
index 638aa507a5a7d..3af3739555fc3 100644
--- a/packages/plugin-ext/src/main/browser/debug/plugin-debug-session-factory.ts
+++ b/packages/plugin-ext/src/main/browser/debug/plugin-debug-session-factory.ts
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ export class PluginDebugSession extends DebugSession {
     constructor(
         readonly id: string,
         readonly options: DebugSessionOptions,
+        readonly parentSession: DebugSession | undefined,
         protected readonly connection: DebugSessionConnection,
         protected readonly terminalServer: TerminalService,
         protected readonly editorManager: EditorManager,
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ export class PluginDebugSession extends DebugSession {
         protected readonly messages: MessageClient,
         protected readonly fileService: FileService,
         protected readonly terminalOptionsExt: TerminalOptionsExt | undefined) {
-        super(id, options, connection, terminalServer, editorManager, breakpoints, labelProvider, messages, fileService);
+        super(id, options, parentSession, connection, terminalServer, editorManager, breakpoints, labelProvider, messages, fileService);
     }
 
     protected async doCreateTerminal(terminalWidgetOptions: TerminalWidgetOptions): Promise<TerminalWidget> {
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ export class PluginDebugSessionFactory extends DefaultDebugSessionFactory {
         super();
     }
 
-    get(sessionId: string, options: DebugSessionOptions): DebugSession {
+    get(sessionId: string, options: DebugSessionOptions, parentSession?: DebugSession): DebugSession {
         const connection = new DebugSessionConnection(
             sessionId,
             this.connectionFactory,
@@ -80,6 +81,7 @@ export class PluginDebugSessionFactory extends DefaultDebugSessionFactory {
         return new PluginDebugSession(
             sessionId,
             options,
+            parentSession,
             connection,
             this.terminalService,
             this.editorManager,
diff --git a/packages/plugin-ext/src/plugin/node/debug/debug.ts b/packages/plugin-ext/src/plugin/node/debug/debug.ts
index b0547e835db5d..2cbb4fd2946b7 100644
--- a/packages/plugin-ext/src/plugin/node/debug/debug.ts
+++ b/packages/plugin-ext/src/plugin/node/debug/debug.ts
@@ -159,8 +159,8 @@ export class DebugExtImpl implements DebugExt {
         }
     }
 
-    startDebugging(folder: theia.WorkspaceFolder | undefined, nameOrConfiguration: string | theia.DebugConfiguration): PromiseLike<boolean> {
-        return this.proxy.$startDebugging(folder, nameOrConfiguration);
+    startDebugging(folder: theia.WorkspaceFolder | undefined, nameOrConfiguration: string | theia.DebugConfiguration, options: theia.DebugSessionOptions): PromiseLike<boolean> {
+        return this.proxy.$startDebugging(folder, nameOrConfiguration, options);
     }
 
     registerDebugAdapterDescriptorFactory(debugType: string, factory: theia.DebugAdapterDescriptorFactory): Disposable {
diff --git a/packages/plugin-ext/src/plugin/plugin-context.ts b/packages/plugin-ext/src/plugin/plugin-context.ts
index 1e3634175e982..e71522501ed40 100644
--- a/packages/plugin-ext/src/plugin/plugin-context.ts
+++ b/packages/plugin-ext/src/plugin/plugin-context.ts
@@ -773,8 +773,9 @@ export function createAPIFactory(
             registerDebugAdapterTrackerFactory(debugType: string, factory: theia.DebugAdapterTrackerFactory): Disposable {
                 return debugExt.registerDebugAdapterTrackerFactory(debugType, factory);
             },
-            startDebugging(folder: theia.WorkspaceFolder | undefined, nameOrConfiguration: string | theia.DebugConfiguration): Thenable<boolean> {
-                return debugExt.startDebugging(folder, nameOrConfiguration);
+            startDebugging(folder: theia.WorkspaceFolder | undefined, nameOrConfiguration: string | theia.DebugConfiguration, options: theia.DebugSessionOptions):
+                Thenable<boolean> {
+                return debugExt.startDebugging(folder, nameOrConfiguration, options);
             },
             addBreakpoints(breakpoints: theia.Breakpoint[]): void {
                 debugExt.addBreakpoints(breakpoints);
diff --git a/packages/plugin/src/theia.d.ts b/packages/plugin/src/theia.d.ts
index 764d152a8d63f..1cfd9155a95cd 100644
--- a/packages/plugin/src/theia.d.ts
+++ b/packages/plugin/src/theia.d.ts
@@ -9181,6 +9181,38 @@ declare module '@theia/plugin' {
         body?: any;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Options for starting a debug session.
+     */
+    export interface DebugSessionOptions {
+
+        /**
+         * When specified the newly created debug session is registered as a "child" session of this
+         * "parent" debug session.
+         */
+        parentSession?: DebugSession;
+
+        /**
+         * Controls whether this session should have a separate debug console or share it
+         * with the parent session. Has no effect for sessions which do not have a parent session.
+         * Defaults to Separate.
+         */
+        consoleMode?: DebugConsoleMode;
+
+        /**
+         * Controls whether this session should run without debugging, thus ignoring breakpoints.
+         * When this property is not specified, the value from the parent session (if there is one) is used.
+         */
+        noDebug?: boolean;
+
+        /**
+         * Controls if the debug session's parent session is shown in the CALL STACK view even if it has only a single child.
+         * By default, the debug session will never hide its parent.
+         * If compact is true, debug sessions with a single child are hidden in the CALL STACK view to make the tree more compact.
+         */
+        compact?: boolean;
+    }
+
     /**
      * A debug configuration provider allows to add the initial debug configurations to a newly created launch.json
      * and to resolve a launch configuration before it is used to start a new debug session.
@@ -9550,7 +9582,7 @@ declare module '@theia/plugin' {
          * @param nameOrConfiguration Either the name of a debug or compound configuration or a [DebugConfiguration](#DebugConfiguration) object.
          * @return A thenable that resolves when debugging could be successfully started.
          */
-        export function startDebugging(folder: WorkspaceFolder | undefined, nameOrConfiguration: string | DebugConfiguration): PromiseLike<boolean>;
+        export function startDebugging(folder: WorkspaceFolder | undefined, nameOrConfiguration: string | DebugConfiguration, options: DebugSessionOptions): PromiseLike<boolean>;
 
         /**
          * Add breakpoints.