diff --git a/doc/api/errors.md b/doc/api/errors.md
index 5bc949d5b12c44..4097d21a0b54a8 100644
--- a/doc/api/errors.md
+++ b/doc/api/errors.md
@@ -2344,6 +2344,40 @@ The `package.json` [`"exports"`][] field does not export the requested subpath.
 Because exports are encapsulated, private internal modules that are not exported
 cannot be imported through the package resolution, unless using an absolute URL.
 
+<a id="ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE"></a>
+
+### `ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE`
+
+<!-- YAML
+added: REPLACEME
+-->
+
+When `strict` set to `true`, thrown by [`util.parseArgs()`][] if a {boolean}
+value is provided for an option of type {string}, or if a {string}
+value is provided for an option of type {boolean}.
+
+<a id="ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNEXPECTED_POSITIONAL"></a>
+
+### `ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNEXPECTED_POSITIONAL`
+
+<!-- YAML
+added: REPLACEME
+-->
+
+Thrown by [`util.parseArgs()`][], when a postional argument is provided and
+`allowPositionals` is set to `false`.
+
+<a id="ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNKNOWN_OPTION"></a>
+
+### `ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNKNOWN_OPTION`
+
+<!-- YAML
+added: REPLACEME
+-->
+
+When `strict` set to `true`, thrown by [`util.parseArgs()`][] if an argument
+is not configured in `options`.
+
 <a id="ERR_PERFORMANCE_INVALID_TIMESTAMP"></a>
 
 ### `ERR_PERFORMANCE_INVALID_TIMESTAMP`
@@ -3455,6 +3489,7 @@ The native call from `process.cpuUsage` could not be processed.
 [`subprocess.send()`]: child_process.md#subprocesssendmessage-sendhandle-options-callback
 [`url.parse()`]: url.md#urlparseurlstring-parsequerystring-slashesdenotehost
 [`util.getSystemErrorName(error.errno)`]: util.md#utilgetsystemerrornameerr
+[`util.parseArgs()`]: util.md#utilparseargsconfig
 [`zlib`]: zlib.md
 [crypto digest algorithm]: crypto.md#cryptogethashes
 [debugger]: debugger.md
diff --git a/doc/api/util.md b/doc/api/util.md
index 8cafd120503764..e2f7ac9e0ae586 100644
--- a/doc/api/util.md
+++ b/doc/api/util.md
@@ -1020,6 +1020,86 @@ Otherwise, returns `false`.
 See [`assert.deepStrictEqual()`][] for more information about deep strict
 equality.
 
+## `util.parseArgs([config])`
+
+<!-- YAML
+added: REPLACEME
+-->
+
+> Stability: 1 - Experimental
+
+* `config` {Object} Used to provide arguments for parsing and to configure
+  the parser. `config` supports the following properties:
+  * `args` {string\[]} array of argument strings. **Default:** `process.argv`
+    with `execPath` and `filename` removed.
+  * `options` {Object} Used to describe arguments known to the parser.
+    Keys of `options` are the long names of options and values are an
+    {Object} accepting the following properties:
+    * `type` {string} Type of argument, which must be either `boolean` or `string`.
+    * `multiple` {boolean} Whether this option can be provided multiple
+      times. If `true`, all values will be collected in an array. If
+      `false`, values for the option are last-wins. **Default:** `false`.
+    * `short` {string} A single character alias for the option.
+  * `strict`: {boolean} Should an error be thrown when unknown arguments
+    are encountered, or when arguments are passed that do not match the
+    `type` configured in `options`.
+    **Default:** `true`.
+  * `allowPositionals`: {boolean} Whether this command accepts positional
+    arguments.
+    **Default:** `false` if `strict` is `true`, otherwise `true`.
+
+* Returns: {Object} The parsed command line arguments:
+  * `values` {Object} A mapping of parsed option names with their {string}
+    or {boolean} values.
+  * `positionals` {string\[]} Positional arguments.
+
+Provides a higher level API for command-line argument parsing than interacting
+with `process.argv` directly. Takes a specification for the expected arguments
+and returns a structured object with the parsed options and positionals.
+
+```mjs
+import { parseArgs } from 'node:util';
+const args = ['-f', '--bar', 'b'];
+const options = {
+  foo: {
+    type: 'boolean',
+    short: 'f'
+  },
+  bar: {
+    type: 'string'
+  }
+};
+const {
+  values,
+  positionals
+} = parseArgs({ args, options });
+console.log(values, positionals);
+// Prints: [Object: null prototype] { foo: true, bar: 'b' } []
+```
+
+```cjs
+const { parseArgs } = require('node:util');
+const args = ['-f', '--bar', 'b'];
+const options = {
+  foo: {
+    type: 'boolean',
+    short: 'f'
+  },
+  bar: {
+    type: 'string'
+  }
+};
+const {
+  values,
+  positionals
+} = parseArgs({ args, options });
+console.log(values, positionals);
+// Prints: [Object: null prototype] { foo: true, bar: 'b' } []ss
+```
+
+`util.parseArgs` is experimental and behavior may change. Join the
+conversation in [pkgjs/parseargs][] to contribute to the design.
+
 ## `util.promisify(original)`
 
 <!-- YAML
@@ -2693,5 +2773,6 @@ util.log('Timestamped message.');
 [default sort]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Array/sort
 [global symbol registry]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Symbol/for
 [list of deprecated APIS]: deprecations.md#list-of-deprecated-apis
+[pkgjs/parseargs]: https://github.com/pkgjs/parseargs
 [semantically incompatible]: https://github.com/nodejs/node/issues/4179
 [util.inspect.custom]: #utilinspectcustom
diff --git a/lib/internal/errors.js b/lib/internal/errors.js
index 2185e43a87988b..a72d73c5f2c282 100644
--- a/lib/internal/errors.js
+++ b/lib/internal/errors.js
@@ -1474,6 +1474,15 @@ E('ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED', (pkgPath, subpath, base = undefined) => {
   return `Package subpath '${subpath}' is not defined by "exports" in ${
     pkgPath}package.json${base ? ` imported from ${base}` : ''}`;
 }, Error);
+E('ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE', '%s', TypeError);
+E('ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNEXPECTED_POSITIONAL', "Unexpected argument '%s'. This " +
+  'command does not take positional arguments', TypeError);
+E('ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNKNOWN_OPTION', (option, allowPositionals) => {
+  const suggestDashDash = allowPositionals ? '. To specify a positional ' +
+    "argument starting with a '-', place it at the end of the command after " +
+    `'--', as in '-- ${JSONStringify(option)}` : '';
+  return `Unknown option '${option}'${suggestDashDash}`;
+}, TypeError);
 E('ERR_PERFORMANCE_INVALID_TIMESTAMP',
   '%d is not a valid timestamp', TypeError);
 E('ERR_PERFORMANCE_MEASURE_INVALID_OPTIONS', '%s', TypeError);
diff --git a/lib/internal/util/parse_args/parse_args.js b/lib/internal/util/parse_args/parse_args.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..f27cd0d74d12d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/internal/util/parse_args/parse_args.js
@@ -0,0 +1,297 @@
+'use strict';
+
+const {
+  ArrayPrototypeForEach,
+  ArrayPrototypeIncludes,
+  ArrayPrototypePushApply,
+  ArrayPrototypeShift,
+  ArrayPrototypeSlice,
+  ArrayPrototypePush,
+  ArrayPrototypeUnshiftApply,
+  ObjectPrototypeHasOwnProperty: ObjectHasOwn,
+  ObjectEntries,
+  StringPrototypeCharAt,
+  StringPrototypeIndexOf,
+  StringPrototypeSlice,
+} = primordials;
+
+const {
+  validateArray,
+  validateBoolean,
+  validateObject,
+  validateString,
+  validateUnion,
+} = require('internal/validators');
+
+const {
+  findLongOptionForShort,
+  isLoneLongOption,
+  isLoneShortOption,
+  isLongOptionAndValue,
+  isOptionValue,
+  isOptionLikeValue,
+  isShortOptionAndValue,
+  isShortOptionGroup,
+  objectGetOwn,
+  optionsGetOwn,
+} = require('internal/util/parse_args/utils');
+
+const {
+  codes: {
+    ERR_INVALID_ARG_VALUE,
+    ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE,
+    ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNKNOWN_OPTION,
+    ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNEXPECTED_POSITIONAL,
+  },
+} = require('internal/errors');
+
+function getMainArgs() {
+  // Work out where to slice process.argv for user supplied arguments.
+
+  // Check node options for scenarios where user CLI args follow executable.
+  const execArgv = process.execArgv;
+  if (ArrayPrototypeIncludes(execArgv, '-e') ||
+      ArrayPrototypeIncludes(execArgv, '--eval') ||
+      ArrayPrototypeIncludes(execArgv, '-p') ||
+      ArrayPrototypeIncludes(execArgv, '--print')) {
+    return ArrayPrototypeSlice(process.argv, 1);
+  }
+
+  // Normally first two arguments are executable and script, then CLI arguments
+  return ArrayPrototypeSlice(process.argv, 2);
+}
+
+/**
+ * In strict mode, throw for possible usage errors like --foo --bar
+ *
+ * @param {string} longOption - long option name e.g. 'foo'
+ * @param {string|undefined} optionValue - value from user args
+ * @param {string} shortOrLong - option used, with dashes e.g. `-l` or `--long`
+ * @param {boolean} strict - show errors, from parseArgs({ strict })
+ */
+function checkOptionLikeValue(longOption, optionValue, shortOrLong, strict) {
+  if (strict && isOptionLikeValue(optionValue)) {
+    // Only show short example if user used short option.
+    const example = (shortOrLong.length === 2) ?
+      `'--${longOption}=-XYZ' or '${shortOrLong}-XYZ'` :
+      `'--${longOption}=-XYZ'`;
+    const errorMessage = `Option '${shortOrLong}' argument is ambiguous.
+Did you forget to specify the option argument for '${shortOrLong}'?
+To specify an option argument starting with a dash use ${example}.`;
+    throw new ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE(errorMessage);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * In strict mode, throw for usage errors.
+ *
+ * @param {string} longOption - long option name e.g. 'foo'
+ * @param {string|undefined} optionValue - value from user args
+ * @param {object} options - option configs, from parseArgs({ options })
+ * @param {string} shortOrLong - option used, with dashes e.g. `-l` or `--long`
+ * @param {boolean} strict - show errors, from parseArgs({ strict })
+ * @param {boolean} allowPositionals - from parseArgs({ allowPositionals })
+ */
+function checkOptionUsage(longOption, optionValue, options,
+                          shortOrLong, strict, allowPositionals) {
+  // Strict and options are used from local context.
+  if (!strict) return;
+
+  if (!ObjectHasOwn(options, longOption)) {
+    throw new ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNKNOWN_OPTION(shortOrLong, allowPositionals);
+  }
+
+  const short = optionsGetOwn(options, longOption, 'short');
+  const shortAndLong = short ? `-${short}, --${longOption}` : `--${longOption}`;
+  const type = optionsGetOwn(options, longOption, 'type');
+  if (type === 'string' && typeof optionValue !== 'string') {
+    throw new ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE(`Option '${shortAndLong} <value>' argument missing`);
+  }
+  // (Idiomatic test for undefined||null, expecting undefined.)
+  if (type === 'boolean' && optionValue != null) {
+    throw new ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE(`Option '${shortAndLong}' does not take an argument`);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Store the option value in `values`.
+ *
+ * @param {string} longOption - long option name e.g. 'foo'
+ * @param {string|undefined} optionValue - value from user args
+ * @param {object} options - option configs, from parseArgs({ options })
+ * @param {object} values - option values returned in `values` by parseArgs
+ */
+function storeOption(longOption, optionValue, options, values) {
+  if (longOption === '__proto__') {
+    return; // No. Just no.
+  }
+
+  // We store based on the option value rather than option type,
+  // preserving the users intent for author to deal with.
+  const newValue = optionValue ?? true;
+  if (optionsGetOwn(options, longOption, 'multiple')) {
+    // Always store value in array, including for boolean.
+    // values[longOption] starts out not present,
+    // first value is added as new array [newValue],
+    // subsequent values are pushed to existing array.
+    // (note: values has null prototype, so simpler usage)
+    if (values[longOption]) {
+      ArrayPrototypePush(values[longOption], newValue);
+    } else {
+      values[longOption] = [newValue];
+    }
+  } else {
+    values[longOption] = newValue;
+  }
+}
+
+const parseArgs = (config = { __proto__: null }) => {
+  const args = objectGetOwn(config, 'args') ?? getMainArgs();
+  const strict = objectGetOwn(config, 'strict') ?? true;
+  const allowPositionals = objectGetOwn(config, 'allowPositionals') ?? !strict;
+  const options = objectGetOwn(config, 'options') ?? { __proto__: null };
+
+  // Validate input configuration.
+  validateArray(args, 'args');
+  validateBoolean(strict, 'strict');
+  validateBoolean(allowPositionals, 'allowPositionals');
+  validateObject(options, 'options');
+  ArrayPrototypeForEach(
+    ObjectEntries(options),
+    ({ 0: longOption, 1: optionConfig }) => {
+      validateObject(optionConfig, `options.${longOption}`);
+
+      // type is required
+      validateUnion(objectGetOwn(optionConfig, 'type'), `options.${longOption}.type`, ['string', 'boolean']);
+
+      if (ObjectHasOwn(optionConfig, 'short')) {
+        const shortOption = optionConfig.short;
+        validateString(shortOption, `options.${longOption}.short`);
+        if (shortOption.length !== 1) {
+          throw new ERR_INVALID_ARG_VALUE(
+            `options.${longOption}.short`,
+            shortOption,
+            'must be a single character'
+          );
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (ObjectHasOwn(optionConfig, 'multiple')) {
+        validateBoolean(optionConfig.multiple, `options.${longOption}.multiple`);
+      }
+    }
+  );
+
+  const result = {
+    values: { __proto__: null },
+    positionals: []
+  };
+
+  const remainingArgs = ArrayPrototypeSlice(args);
+  while (remainingArgs.length > 0) {
+    const arg = ArrayPrototypeShift(remainingArgs);
+    const nextArg = remainingArgs[0];
+
+    // Check if `arg` is an options terminator.
+    // Guideline 10 in https://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/basedefs/V1_chap12.html
+    if (arg === '--') {
+      if (!allowPositionals && remainingArgs.length > 0) {
+        throw new ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNEXPECTED_POSITIONAL(nextArg);
+      }
+
+      // Everything after a bare '--' is considered a positional argument.
+      ArrayPrototypePushApply(
+        result.positionals,
+        remainingArgs
+      );
+      break; // Finished processing args, leave while loop.
+    }
+
+    if (isLoneShortOption(arg)) {
+      // e.g. '-f'
+      const shortOption = StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, 1);
+      const longOption = findLongOptionForShort(shortOption, options);
+      let optionValue;
+      if (optionsGetOwn(options, longOption, 'type') === 'string' &&
+          isOptionValue(nextArg)) {
+        // e.g. '-f', 'bar'
+        optionValue = ArrayPrototypeShift(remainingArgs);
+        checkOptionLikeValue(longOption, optionValue, arg, strict);
+      }
+      checkOptionUsage(longOption, optionValue, options,
+                       arg, strict, allowPositionals);
+      storeOption(longOption, optionValue, options, result.values);
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (isShortOptionGroup(arg, options)) {
+      // Expand -fXzy to -f -X -z -y
+      const expanded = [];
+      for (let index = 1; index < arg.length; index++) {
+        const shortOption = StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, index);
+        const longOption = findLongOptionForShort(shortOption, options);
+        if (optionsGetOwn(options, longOption, 'type') !== 'string' ||
+          index === arg.length - 1) {
+          // Boolean option, or last short in group. Well formed.
+          ArrayPrototypePush(expanded, `-${shortOption}`);
+        } else {
+          // String option in middle. Yuck.
+          // Expand -abfFILE to -a -b -fFILE
+          ArrayPrototypePush(expanded, `-${StringPrototypeSlice(arg, index)}`);
+          break; // finished short group
+        }
+      }
+      ArrayPrototypeUnshiftApply(remainingArgs, expanded);
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (isShortOptionAndValue(arg, options)) {
+      // e.g. -fFILE
+      const shortOption = StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, 1);
+      const longOption = findLongOptionForShort(shortOption, options);
+      const optionValue = StringPrototypeSlice(arg, 2);
+      checkOptionUsage(longOption, optionValue, options, `-${shortOption}`, strict, allowPositionals);
+      storeOption(longOption, optionValue, options, result.values);
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (isLoneLongOption(arg)) {
+      // e.g. '--foo'
+      const longOption = StringPrototypeSlice(arg, 2);
+      let optionValue;
+      if (optionsGetOwn(options, longOption, 'type') === 'string' &&
+          isOptionValue(nextArg)) {
+        // e.g. '--foo', 'bar'
+        optionValue = ArrayPrototypeShift(remainingArgs);
+        checkOptionLikeValue(longOption, optionValue, arg, strict);
+      }
+      checkOptionUsage(longOption, optionValue, options,
+                       arg, strict, allowPositionals);
+      storeOption(longOption, optionValue, options, result.values);
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (isLongOptionAndValue(arg)) {
+      // e.g. --foo=bar
+      const index = StringPrototypeIndexOf(arg, '=');
+      const longOption = StringPrototypeSlice(arg, 2, index);
+      const optionValue = StringPrototypeSlice(arg, index + 1);
+      checkOptionUsage(longOption, optionValue, options, `--${longOption}`, strict, allowPositionals);
+      storeOption(longOption, optionValue, options, result.values);
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    // Anything left is a positional
+    if (!allowPositionals) {
+      throw new ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNEXPECTED_POSITIONAL(arg);
+    }
+
+    ArrayPrototypePush(result.positionals, arg);
+  }
+
+  return result;
+};
+
+module.exports = {
+  parseArgs,
+};
diff --git a/lib/internal/util/parse_args/utils.js b/lib/internal/util/parse_args/utils.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..906aa1b21a7a95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/internal/util/parse_args/utils.js
@@ -0,0 +1,184 @@
+'use strict';
+
+const {
+  ArrayPrototypeFind,
+  ObjectEntries,
+  ObjectPrototypeHasOwnProperty: ObjectHasOwn,
+  StringPrototypeCharAt,
+  StringPrototypeIncludes,
+  StringPrototypeStartsWith,
+} = primordials;
+
+const {
+  validateObject,
+} = require('internal/validators');
+
+// These are internal utilities to make the parsing logic easier to read, and
+// add lots of detail for the curious. They are in a separate file to allow
+// unit testing, although that is not essential (this could be rolled into
+// main file and just tested implicitly via API).
+//
+// These routines are for internal use, not for export to client.
+
+/**
+ * Return the named property, but only if it is an own property.
+ */
+function objectGetOwn(obj, prop) {
+  if (ObjectHasOwn(obj, prop))
+    return obj[prop];
+}
+
+/**
+ * Return the named options property, but only if it is an own property.
+ */
+function optionsGetOwn(options, longOption, prop) {
+  if (ObjectHasOwn(options, longOption))
+    return objectGetOwn(options[longOption], prop);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Determines if the argument may be used as an option value.
+ * @example
+ * isOptionValue('V') // returns true
+ * isOptionValue('-v') // returns true (greedy)
+ * isOptionValue('--foo') // returns true (greedy)
+ * isOptionValue(undefined) // returns false
+ */
+function isOptionValue(value) {
+  if (value == null) return false;
+
+  // Open Group Utility Conventions are that an option-argument
+  // is the argument after the option, and may start with a dash.
+  return true; // greedy!
+}
+
+/**
+ * Detect whether there is possible confusion and user may have omitted
+ * the option argument, like `--port --verbose` when `port` of type:string.
+ * In strict mode we throw errors if value is option-like.
+ */
+function isOptionLikeValue(value) {
+  if (value == null) return false;
+
+  return value.length > 1 && StringPrototypeCharAt(value, 0) === '-';
+}
+
+/**
+ * Determines if `arg` is just a short option.
+ * @example '-f'
+ */
+function isLoneShortOption(arg) {
+  return arg.length === 2 &&
+    StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, 0) === '-' &&
+    StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, 1) !== '-';
+}
+
+/**
+ * Determines if `arg` is a lone long option.
+ * @example
+ * isLoneLongOption('a') // returns false
+ * isLoneLongOption('-a') // returns false
+ * isLoneLongOption('--foo') // returns true
+ * isLoneLongOption('--foo=bar') // returns false
+ */
+function isLoneLongOption(arg) {
+  return arg.length > 2 &&
+    StringPrototypeStartsWith(arg, '--') &&
+    !StringPrototypeIncludes(arg, '=', 3);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Determines if `arg` is a long option and value in the same argument.
+ * @example
+ * isLongOptionAndValue('--foo') // returns false
+ * isLongOptionAndValue('--foo=bar') // returns true
+ */
+function isLongOptionAndValue(arg) {
+  return arg.length > 2 &&
+    StringPrototypeStartsWith(arg, '--') &&
+    StringPrototypeIncludes(arg, '=', 3);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Determines if `arg` is a short option group.
+ *
+ * See Guideline 5 of the [Open Group Utility Conventions](https://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/basedefs/V1_chap12.html).
+ *   One or more options without option-arguments, followed by at most one
+ *   option that takes an option-argument, should be accepted when grouped
+ *   behind one '-' delimiter.
+ * @example
+ * isShortOptionGroup('-a', {}) // returns false
+ * isShortOptionGroup('-ab', {}) // returns true
+ * // -fb is an option and a value, not a short option group
+ * isShortOptionGroup('-fb', {
+ *   options: { f: { type: 'string' } }
+ * }) // returns false
+ * isShortOptionGroup('-bf', {
+ *   options: { f: { type: 'string' } }
+ * }) // returns true
+ * // -bfb is an edge case, return true and caller sorts it out
+ * isShortOptionGroup('-bfb', {
+ *   options: { f: { type: 'string' } }
+ * }) // returns true
+ */
+function isShortOptionGroup(arg, options) {
+  if (arg.length <= 2) return false;
+  if (StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, 0) !== '-') return false;
+  if (StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, 1) === '-') return false;
+
+  const firstShort = StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, 1);
+  const longOption = findLongOptionForShort(firstShort, options);
+  return optionsGetOwn(options, longOption, 'type') !== 'string';
+}
+
+/**
+ * Determine if arg is a short string option followed by its value.
+ * @example
+ * isShortOptionAndValue('-a', {}); // returns false
+ * isShortOptionAndValue('-ab', {}); // returns false
+ * isShortOptionAndValue('-fFILE', {
+ *   options: { foo: { short: 'f', type: 'string' }}
+ * }) // returns true
+ */
+function isShortOptionAndValue(arg, options) {
+  validateObject(options, 'options');
+
+  if (arg.length <= 2) return false;
+  if (StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, 0) !== '-') return false;
+  if (StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, 1) === '-') return false;
+
+  const shortOption = StringPrototypeCharAt(arg, 1);
+  const longOption = findLongOptionForShort(shortOption, options);
+  return optionsGetOwn(options, longOption, 'type') === 'string';
+}
+
+/**
+ * Find the long option associated with a short option. Looks for a configured
+ * `short` and returns the short option itself if a long option is not found.
+ * @example
+ * findLongOptionForShort('a', {}) // returns 'a'
+ * findLongOptionForShort('b', {
+ *   options: { bar: { short: 'b' } }
+ * }) // returns 'bar'
+ */
+function findLongOptionForShort(shortOption, options) {
+  validateObject(options, 'options');
+  const longOptionEntry = ArrayPrototypeFind(
+    ObjectEntries(options),
+    ({ 1: optionConfig }) => objectGetOwn(optionConfig, 'short') === shortOption
+  );
+  return longOptionEntry?.[0] ?? shortOption;
+}
+
+module.exports = {
+  findLongOptionForShort,
+  isLoneLongOption,
+  isLoneShortOption,
+  isLongOptionAndValue,
+  isOptionValue,
+  isOptionLikeValue,
+  isShortOptionAndValue,
+  isShortOptionGroup,
+  objectGetOwn,
+  optionsGetOwn,
+};
diff --git a/lib/internal/validators.js b/lib/internal/validators.js
index 426e68b4706a88..cda6b6bea0aa76 100644
--- a/lib/internal/validators.js
+++ b/lib/internal/validators.js
@@ -237,6 +237,12 @@ const validateUndefined = hideStackFrames((value, name) => {
     throw new ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE(name, 'undefined', value);
 });
 
+function validateUnion(value, name, union) {
+  if (!ArrayPrototypeIncludes(union, value)) {
+    throw new ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE(name, `('${ArrayPrototypeJoin(union, '|')}')`, value);
+  }
+}
+
 module.exports = {
   isInt32,
   isUint32,
@@ -257,5 +263,6 @@ module.exports = {
   validateString,
   validateUint32,
   validateUndefined,
+  validateUnion,
   validateAbortSignal,
 };
diff --git a/lib/util.js b/lib/util.js
index fbd8c550318650..05c4d4f98da9ec 100644
--- a/lib/util.js
+++ b/lib/util.js
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ const {
   stripVTControlCharacters,
 } = require('internal/util/inspect');
 const { debuglog } = require('internal/util/debuglog');
+const { parseArgs } = require('internal/util/parse_args/parse_args');
 const {
   validateFunction,
   validateNumber,
@@ -369,6 +370,7 @@ module.exports = {
   isFunction,
   isPrimitive,
   log,
+  parseArgs,
   promisify,
   stripVTControlCharacters,
   toUSVString,
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-bootstrap-modules.js b/test/parallel/test-bootstrap-modules.js
index 37513c309a0342..9b9dc5c18590cd 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-bootstrap-modules.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-bootstrap-modules.js
@@ -138,6 +138,8 @@ const expectedModules = new Set([
   'NativeModule internal/util/debuglog',
   'NativeModule internal/util/inspect',
   'NativeModule internal/util/iterable_weak_map',
+  'NativeModule internal/util/parse_args/utils',
+  'NativeModule internal/util/parse_args/parse_args',
   'NativeModule internal/util/types',
   'NativeModule internal/validators',
   'NativeModule internal/vm/module',
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-parse-args.mjs b/test/parallel/test-parse-args.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..602ab1fc97ea4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/parallel/test-parse-args.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,572 @@
+import '../common/index.mjs';
+import assert from 'node:assert';
+import { test } from 'node:test';
+import { parseArgs } from 'node:util';
+
+test('when short option used as flag then stored as flag', () => {
+  const args = ['-f'];
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, f: true }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('when short option used as flag before positional then stored as flag and positional (and not value)', () => {
+  const args = ['-f', 'bar'];
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, f: true }, positionals: [ 'bar' ] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('when short option `type: "string"` used with value then stored as value', () => {
+  const args = ['-f', 'bar'];
+  const options = { f: { type: 'string' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, f: 'bar' }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('when short option listed in short used as flag then long option stored as flag', () => {
+  const args = ['-f'];
+  const options = { foo: { short: 'f', type: 'boolean' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: true }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('when short option listed in short and long listed in `type: "string"` and ' +
+     'used with value then long option stored as value', () => {
+  const args = ['-f', 'bar'];
+  const options = { foo: { short: 'f', type: 'string' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: 'bar' }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('when short option `type: "string"` used without value then stored as flag', () => {
+  const args = ['-f'];
+  const options = { f: { type: 'string' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, f: true }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('short option group behaves like multiple short options', () => {
+  const args = ['-rf'];
+  const options = { };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, r: true, f: true }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('short option group does not consume subsequent positional', () => {
+  const args = ['-rf', 'foo'];
+  const options = { };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, r: true, f: true }, positionals: ['foo'] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+// See: Guideline 5 https://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/basedefs/V1_chap12.html
+test('if terminal of short-option group configured `type: "string"`, subsequent positional is stored', () => {
+  const args = ['-rvf', 'foo'];
+  const options = { f: { type: 'string' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, r: true, v: true, f: 'foo' }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('handles short-option groups in conjunction with long-options', () => {
+  const args = ['-rf', '--foo', 'foo'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'string' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, r: true, f: true, foo: 'foo' }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('handles short-option groups with "short" alias configured', () => {
+  const args = ['-rf'];
+  const options = { remove: { short: 'r', type: 'boolean' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, remove: true, f: true }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('Everything after a bare `--` is considered a positional argument', () => {
+  const args = ['--', 'barepositionals', 'mopositionals'];
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null }, positionals: ['barepositionals', 'mopositionals'] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ allowPositionals: true, args });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected, Error('testing bare positionals'));
+});
+
+test('args are true', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo', '--bar'];
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: true, bar: true }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected, Error('args are true'));
+});
+
+test('arg is true and positional is identified', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo=a', '--foo', 'b'];
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: true }, positionals: ['b'] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected, Error('arg is true and positional is identified'));
+});
+
+test('args equals are passed `type: "string"`', () => {
+  const args = ['--so=wat'];
+  const options = { so: { type: 'string' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, so: 'wat' }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected, Error('arg value is passed'));
+});
+
+test('when args include single dash then result stores dash as positional', () => {
+  const args = ['-'];
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null }, positionals: ['-'] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ allowPositionals: true, args });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('zero config args equals are parsed as if `type: "string"`', () => {
+  const args = ['--so=wat'];
+  const options = { };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, so: 'wat' }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected, Error('arg value is passed'));
+});
+
+test('same arg is passed twice `type: "string"` and last value is recorded', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo=a', '--foo', 'b'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'string' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: 'b' }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected, Error('last arg value is passed'));
+});
+
+test('args equals pass string including more equals', () => {
+  const args = ['--so=wat=bing'];
+  const options = { so: { type: 'string' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, so: 'wat=bing' }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected, Error('arg value is passed'));
+});
+
+test('first arg passed for `type: "string"` and "multiple" is in array', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo=a'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'string', multiple: true } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: ['a'] }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected, Error('first multiple in array'));
+});
+
+test('args are passed `type: "string"` and "multiple"', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo=a', '--foo', 'b'];
+  const options = {
+    foo: {
+      type: 'string',
+      multiple: true,
+    },
+  };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: ['a', 'b'] }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected, Error('both arg values are passed'));
+});
+
+test('when expecting `multiple:true` boolean option and option used multiple times then result includes array of ' +
+     'booleans matching usage', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo', '--foo'];
+  const options = {
+    foo: {
+      type: 'boolean',
+      multiple: true,
+    },
+  };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: [true, true] }, positionals: [] };
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('order of option and positional does not matter (per README)', () => {
+  const args1 = ['--foo=bar', 'baz'];
+  const args2 = ['baz', '--foo=bar'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'string' } };
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: 'bar' }, positionals: ['baz'] };
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(
+    parseArgs({ allowPositionals: true, args: args1, options }),
+    expected,
+    Error('option then positional')
+  );
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(
+    parseArgs({ allowPositionals: true, args: args2, options }),
+    expected,
+    Error('positional then option')
+  );
+});
+
+test('correct default args when use node -p', () => {
+  const holdArgv = process.argv;
+  process.argv = [process.argv0, '--foo'];
+  const holdExecArgv = process.execArgv;
+  process.execArgv = ['-p', '0'];
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false });
+
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: true },
+                     positionals: [] };
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+  process.argv = holdArgv;
+  process.execArgv = holdExecArgv;
+});
+
+test('correct default args when use node --print', () => {
+  const holdArgv = process.argv;
+  process.argv = [process.argv0, '--foo'];
+  const holdExecArgv = process.execArgv;
+  process.execArgv = ['--print', '0'];
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false });
+
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: true },
+                     positionals: [] };
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+  process.argv = holdArgv;
+  process.execArgv = holdExecArgv;
+});
+
+test('correct default args when use node -e', () => {
+  const holdArgv = process.argv;
+  process.argv = [process.argv0, '--foo'];
+  const holdExecArgv = process.execArgv;
+  process.execArgv = ['-e', '0'];
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false });
+
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: true },
+                     positionals: [] };
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+  process.argv = holdArgv;
+  process.execArgv = holdExecArgv;
+});
+
+test('correct default args when use node --eval', () => {
+  const holdArgv = process.argv;
+  process.argv = [process.argv0, '--foo'];
+  const holdExecArgv = process.execArgv;
+  process.execArgv = ['--eval', '0'];
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false });
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: true },
+                     positionals: [] };
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+  process.argv = holdArgv;
+  process.execArgv = holdExecArgv;
+});
+
+test('correct default args when normal arguments', () => {
+  const holdArgv = process.argv;
+  process.argv = [process.argv0, 'script.js', '--foo'];
+  const holdExecArgv = process.execArgv;
+  process.execArgv = [];
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false });
+
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: true },
+                     positionals: [] };
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+  process.argv = holdArgv;
+  process.execArgv = holdExecArgv;
+});
+
+test('excess leading dashes on options are retained', () => {
+  // Enforce a design decision for an edge case.
+  const args = ['---triple'];
+  const options = { };
+  const expected = {
+    values: { '__proto__': null, '-triple': true },
+    positionals: []
+  };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected, Error('excess option dashes are retained'));
+});
+
+test('positional arguments are allowed by default in strict:false', () => {
+  const args = ['foo'];
+  const options = { };
+  const expected = {
+    values: { __proto__: null },
+    positionals: ['foo']
+  };
+  const result = parseArgs({ strict: false, args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('positional arguments may be explicitly disallowed in strict:false', () => {
+  const args = ['foo'];
+  const options = { };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ strict: false, allowPositionals: false, args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNEXPECTED_POSITIONAL'
+  });
+});
+
+// Test bad inputs
+
+test('invalid argument passed for options', () => {
+  const args = ['--so=wat'];
+  const options = 'bad value';
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE'
+  });
+});
+
+test('type property missing for option then throw', () => {
+  const knownOptions = { foo: { } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ options: knownOptions }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE'
+  });
+});
+
+test('boolean passed to "type" option', () => {
+  const args = ['--so=wat'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: true } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE'
+  });
+});
+
+test('invalid union value passed to "type" option', () => {
+  const args = ['--so=wat'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'str' } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE'
+  });
+});
+
+// Test strict mode
+
+test('unknown long option --bar', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo', '--bar'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'boolean' } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNKNOWN_OPTION'
+  });
+});
+
+test('unknown short option -b', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo', '-b'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'boolean' } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNKNOWN_OPTION'
+  });
+});
+
+test('unknown option -r in short option group -bar', () => {
+  const args = ['-bar'];
+  const options = { b: { type: 'boolean' }, a: { type: 'boolean' } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNKNOWN_OPTION'
+  });
+});
+
+test('unknown option with explicit value', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo', '--bar=baz'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'boolean' } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNKNOWN_OPTION'
+  });
+});
+
+test('unexpected positional', () => {
+  const args = ['foo'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'boolean' } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNEXPECTED_POSITIONAL'
+  });
+});
+
+test('unexpected positional after --', () => {
+  const args = ['--', 'foo'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'boolean' } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_UNEXPECTED_POSITIONAL'
+  });
+});
+
+test('-- by itself is not a positional', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo', '--'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'boolean' } };
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  const expected = { values: { __proto__: null, foo: true },
+                     positionals: [] };
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expected);
+});
+
+test('string option used as boolean', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'string' } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE'
+  });
+});
+
+test('boolean option used with value', () => {
+  const args = ['--foo=bar'];
+  const options = { foo: { type: 'boolean' } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE'
+  });
+});
+
+test('invalid short option length', () => {
+  const args = [];
+  const options = { foo: { short: 'fo', type: 'boolean' } };
+  assert.throws(() => { parseArgs({ args, options }); }, {
+    code: 'ERR_INVALID_ARG_VALUE'
+  });
+});
+
+test('null prototype: when no options then values.toString is undefined', () => {
+  const result = parseArgs({ args: [] });
+  assert.strictEqual(result.values.toString, undefined);
+});
+
+test('null prototype: when --toString then values.toString is true', () => {
+  const args = ['--toString'];
+  const options = { toString: { type: 'boolean' } };
+  const expectedResult = { values: { __proto__: null, toString: true }, positionals: [] };
+
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expectedResult);
+});
+
+const candidateGreedyOptions = [
+  '',
+  '-',
+  '--',
+  'abc',
+  '123',
+  '-s',
+  '--foo',
+];
+
+candidateGreedyOptions.forEach((value) => {
+  test(`greedy: when short option with value '${value}' then eaten`, () => {
+    const args = ['-w', value];
+    const options = { with: { type: 'string', short: 'w' } };
+    const expectedResult = { values: { __proto__: null, with: value }, positionals: [] };
+
+    const result = parseArgs({ args, options, strict: false });
+    assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expectedResult);
+  });
+
+  test(`greedy: when long option with value '${value}' then eaten`, () => {
+    const args = ['--with', value];
+    const options = { with: { type: 'string', short: 'w' } };
+    const expectedResult = { values: { __proto__: null, with: value }, positionals: [] };
+
+    const result = parseArgs({ args, options, strict: false });
+    assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expectedResult);
+  });
+});
+
+test('strict: when candidate option value is plain text then does not throw', () => {
+  const args = ['--with', 'abc'];
+  const options = { with: { type: 'string' } };
+  const expectedResult = { values: { __proto__: null, with: 'abc' }, positionals: [] };
+
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options, strict: true });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expectedResult);
+});
+
+test("strict: when candidate option value is '-' then does not throw", () => {
+  const args = ['--with', '-'];
+  const options = { with: { type: 'string' } };
+  const expectedResult = { values: { __proto__: null, with: '-' }, positionals: [] };
+
+  const result = parseArgs({ args, options, strict: true });
+  assert.deepStrictEqual(result, expectedResult);
+});
+
+test("strict: when candidate option value is '--' then throws", () => {
+  const args = ['--with', '--'];
+  const options = { with: { type: 'string' } };
+
+  assert.throws(() => {
+    parseArgs({ args, options });
+  }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE'
+  });
+});
+
+test('strict: when candidate option value is short option then throws', () => {
+  const args = ['--with', '-a'];
+  const options = { with: { type: 'string' } };
+
+  assert.throws(() => {
+    parseArgs({ args, options });
+  }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE'
+  });
+});
+
+test('strict: when candidate option value is short option digit then throws', () => {
+  const args = ['--with', '-1'];
+  const options = { with: { type: 'string' } };
+
+  assert.throws(() => {
+    parseArgs({ args, options });
+  }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE'
+  });
+});
+
+test('strict: when candidate option value is long option then throws', () => {
+  const args = ['--with', '--foo'];
+  const options = { with: { type: 'string' } };
+
+  assert.throws(() => {
+    parseArgs({ args, options });
+  }, {
+    code: 'ERR_PARSE_ARGS_INVALID_OPTION_VALUE'
+  });
+});
+
+test('strict: when short option and suspect value then throws with short option in error message', () => {
+  const args = ['-w', '--foo'];
+  const options = { with: { type: 'string', short: 'w' } };
+
+  assert.throws(() => {
+    parseArgs({ args, options });
+  }, /for '-w'/
+  );
+});
+
+test('strict: when long option and suspect value then throws with long option in error message', () => {
+  const args = ['--with', '--foo'];
+  const options = { with: { type: 'string' } };
+
+  assert.throws(() => {
+    parseArgs({ args, options });
+  }, /for '--with'/
+  );
+});
+
+test('strict: when short option and suspect value then throws with whole expected message', () => {
+  const args = ['-w', '--foo'];
+  const options = { with: { type: 'string', short: 'w' } };
+
+  try {
+    parseArgs({ args, options });
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.info(err.message);
+  }
+
+  assert.throws(() => {
+    parseArgs({ args, options });
+  }, /To specify an option argument starting with a dash use '--with=-XYZ' or '-w-XYZ'/
+  );
+});
+
+test('strict: when long option and suspect value then throws with whole expected message', () => {
+  const args = ['--with', '--foo'];
+  const options = { with: { type: 'string', short: 'w' } };
+
+  assert.throws(() => {
+    parseArgs({ args, options });
+  }, /To specify an option argument starting with a dash use '--with=-XYZ'/
+  );
+});