diff --git a/build_tests/simple/distclean.rb b/build_tests/simple/distclean.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7cdfc1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build_tests/simple/distclean.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+build do
+  Environment.new do |env|
+    env.Object("simple.o", "simple.c")
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/rscons/application.rb b/lib/rscons/application.rb
index 41f574a..e61c0e1 100644
--- a/lib/rscons/application.rb
+++ b/lib/rscons/application.rb
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ module Rscons
         clean
       when "configure"
         configure(operation_options)
+      when "distclean"
+        distclean
       else
         $stderr.puts "Unknown operation: #{operation}"
         1
@@ -100,6 +102,19 @@ module Rscons
       0
     end
 
+    # Remove the build directory and clear the cache.
+    #
+    # @return [Integer]
+    #   Exit code.
+    def distclean
+      cache = Cache.instance
+      build_dir = cache.configuration_data["build_dir"]
+      clean
+      FileUtils.rm_rf(build_dir)
+      cache.clear
+      0
+    end
+
     # Configure the project.
     #
     # @param options [Hash]
diff --git a/spec/build_tests_spec.rb b/spec/build_tests_spec.rb
index 2775473..3796cf6 100644
--- a/spec/build_tests_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/build_tests_spec.rb
@@ -1895,4 +1895,21 @@ EOF
     end
   end
 
+  context "distclean" do
+    it "removes built files and the build directory" do
+      test_dir "simple"
+      result = run_rscons(rsconscript: "distclean.rb")
+      expect(result.stderr).to eq ""
+      expect(result.status).to eq 0
+      expect(File.exists?("simple.o")).to be_truthy
+      expect(File.exists?("build")).to be_truthy
+      result = run_rscons(rsconscript: "distclean.rb", op: "distclean")
+      expect(result.stderr).to eq ""
+      expect(result.status).to eq 0
+      expect(File.exists?("simple.o")).to be_falsey
+      expect(File.exists?("build")).to be_falsey
+      expect(File.exists?(Rscons::Cache::CACHE_FILE)).to be_falsey
+    end
+  end
+
 end