diff --git a/core/includes/ajax.inc b/core/includes/ajax.inc
index d8eb913..b1c626e 100644
--- a/core/includes/ajax.inc
+++ b/core/includes/ajax.inc
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@
  * Functions for use with Drupal's Ajax framework.
  */
 
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\OpenDialogCommand;
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\OpenModalDialogCommand;
+
 /**
  * @defgroup ajax Ajax framework
  * @{
@@ -1158,3 +1161,88 @@ function ajax_command_add_css($styles) {
     'data' => $styles,
   );
 }
+
+/**
+ * Build and wrap a form as OpenDialogCommand.
+ *
+ * Merges larowlan's ajax_render_modal_form and ctools-7.x's
+ * ctools_modal_form_wrapper
+ *
+ * @todo: cleanup function signature; merging the dialog_selector,
+ * dialog_settings.
+ *
+ * @return  Drupal\Core\Ajax\OpenDialogCommand
+ *
+ */
+function ajax_dialog_form_wrapper($form_id, &$form_state, $dialog_settings=array(), $dialog_selector=FALSE) {
+  // This won't override settings already in.
+  $form_state += array(
+    'rerender' => FALSE,
+    'ajax' => TRUE,
+    'no_redirect' => TRUE,
+  );
+
+  $output = drupal_build_form($form_id, $form_state);
+  return ajax_dialog_form_render($form_state, $output, $dialog_settings, $dialog_selector);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Render a form output as a dialog command.
+ *
+ * @return  Drupal\Core\Ajax\OpenDialogCommand
+ */
+function ajax_dialog_form_render($form_state, $output, $dialog_settings=array(), $dialog_selector=FALSE) {
+  $output = drupal_render($output);
+
+  $title = empty($form_state['title']) ? drupal_get_title() : $form_state['title'];
+  $url = empty($form_state['url']) ?
+    url(
+      current_path(),
+      array(
+        'absolute' => TRUE,
+        'query' => drupal_container()->get('request')->query->all()
+      )
+    ) : $form_state['url'];
+
+  // If there are messages for the form, render them.
+  // @todo: perhaps put this into the AjaxRender class, as it seems to be
+  // something fundamental like css/js (@dawehner).
+  if ($messages = theme('status_messages')) {
+    $output = $messages . $output;
+  }
+
+  // Modal dialog if no selector or the selector is #drupal-modal.
+  $modal = !$dialog_selector || $dialog_selector == '#drupal-modal';
+
+  if ($modal) {
+    return new OpenModalDialogCommand(
+      $title,
+      $output,
+      $url,
+      $dialog_settings
+    );
+  } else {
+    return new OpenDialogCommand(
+      $dialog_selector,
+      $title,
+      $output,
+      $url,
+      $dialog_settings
+    );
+  }
+
+}
+
+/**
+ * Helper function that checks whether this is an AJAX request.
+ *
+ * @return bool
+ *   Return TRUE if the current request is asking for ajax content
+ */
+function ajax_is_ajax_request() {
+  $container = drupal_container();
+  if ($container->has('content_negotiation') && $container->isScopeActive('request')) {
+    return $container->get('content_negotiation')->getContentType($container->get('request')) == 'ajax';
+  }
+  return FALSE;
+}
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Ajax/CloseDialogCommand.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Ajax/CloseDialogCommand.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..278c094
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Ajax/CloseDialogCommand.php
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * @file
+ * Contains \Drupal\Core\Ajax\CloseDialogCommand.
+ */
+
+namespace Drupal\Core\Ajax;
+
+/**
+ * Defines an AJAX command that closes the current active dialog.
+ */
+class CloseDialogCommand implements CommandInterface {
+
+  /**
+   * A CSS selector string.
+   *
+   * @var string
+   */
+  protected $selector;
+
+  /**
+   * Constructs a CloseDialogCommand object.
+   *
+   * @param string $selector
+   *   The selector of the dialog to close.
+   */
+  public function __construct($selector = NULL) {
+    $this->selector = $selector ? $selector : '#drupal-modal';
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Implements \Drupal\Core\Ajax\CommandInterface::render().
+   */
+  public function render() {
+    return array(
+      'command' => 'closeDialog',
+      'selector' => $this->selector,
+    );
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Ajax/OpenDialogCommand.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Ajax/OpenDialogCommand.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a346741
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Ajax/OpenDialogCommand.php
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * @file
+ * Contains \Drupal\Core\Ajax\OpenDialogCommand.
+ */
+
+namespace Drupal\Core\Ajax;
+
+/**
+ * Defines an AJAX command to open certain content in a dialog either as a modal
+ * or as a (normal) dialog.
+ */
+class OpenDialogCommand extends InsertCommand {
+
+ /**
+   * Stores the title of the dialog.
+   *
+   * @var string
+   */
+  protected $title;
+
+  /**
+   * Stores whether a dialog is a modal.
+   *
+   * @var bool
+   */
+  protected $modal;
+
+  /**
+   * Stores dialog-specific settings.
+   *
+   * @var array
+   *
+   */
+  protected $dialog_settings;
+
+  /**
+   * Constructs an OpenDialog object.
+   *
+   * @param string $selector
+   *   The selector of the dialog.
+   * @param string $title
+   *   The title of the dialog.
+   * @param string $html
+   *   String of HTML that will be placed in the dialog
+   * @param string $url
+   *   Optional URL for forms in the dialog.
+   * @param array $dialog_settings
+   *   An array of JavaScript settings to be passed to the dialog implementation.
+   * @param bool $modal
+   *   Open a modal dialog
+   * @param array $settings
+   *   An array of JavaScript settings to be passed to any attached behaviors.
+   *   @todo: do we need to duplicate $settings and $dialog_settings?
+   *
+   * @todo: cleanup function signature.
+   */
+  public function __construct($selector, $title, $html, $url = NULL, $dialog_settings = NULL, $modal = FALSE, $settings = NULL) {
+    $this->selector = $selector;
+    $this->title = $title;
+    $this->html = $html;
+    $this->url = $url;
+    $this->dialog_settings = $dialog_settings;
+    $this->modal = $modal;
+    $this->settings = $settings;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Returns the dialog settings.
+   *
+   * @return array
+   */
+  public function getDialogSettings() {
+    return $this->dialog_settings;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Sets the dialog settings.
+   *
+   * @param array $dialog_settings
+   *   An array of keys used by the Drupal.modal javascript object.
+   */
+  public function setDialogSettings($dialog_settings) {
+    $this->dialog_settings = $dialog_settings;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Implements \Drupal\Core\Ajax\CommandInterface:render().
+   */
+  public function render() {
+    return array(
+      'command' => $this->modal ? 'openModalDialog' : 'openDialog',
+      'selector' => $this->selector,
+      'title' => $this->title,
+      'settings' => $this->settings,
+      'data' => $this->html,
+      'url' => $this->url,
+      'dialog' => array(
+        'modal' => $this->modal,
+        'settings' => $this->dialog_settings
+      )
+    );
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Ajax/OpenModalDialogCommand.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Ajax/OpenModalDialogCommand.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6299f51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Ajax/OpenModalDialogCommand.php
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * @file
+ * Contains \Drupal\Core\Ajax\OpenDialogCommand.
+ */
+
+namespace Drupal\Core\Ajax;
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\OpenDialogCommand;
+
+/**
+ * Defines an AJAX command to open certain content in a dialog in a modal dialog.
+ */
+class OpenModalDialogCommand extends OpenDialogCommand {
+  /**
+   * Constructs an OpenDialog object.
+   *
+   * @param string $title
+   *   The title of the dialog.
+   * @param string $html
+   *   String of HTML that will be placed in the dialog
+   * @param string $url
+   *   Optional URL for forms in the dialog.
+   * @param array $dialog_settings
+   *   An array of JavaScript settings to be passed to the dialog implementation.
+   * @param array $settings
+   *   An array of JavaScript settings to be passed to any attached behaviors.
+   *   @todo: do we need to duplicate $settings and $dialog_settings?
+   *
+   * @internal param string $selector A CSS selector.*   A CSS selector.
+   * @todo: cleanup function signature.
+   */
+  public function __construct($title, $html, $url=NULL, $dialog_settings=NULL, $settings=NULL) {
+    return parent::__construct('#drupal-modal', $title, $html, $url, $dialog_settings, TRUE, $settings);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/core/misc/ajax.js b/core/misc/ajax.js
index 4a1e327..69fce4e 100644
--- a/core/misc/ajax.js
+++ b/core/misc/ajax.js
@@ -566,8 +566,45 @@ Drupal.ajax.prototype.commands = {
     // @todo Consider whether this is overloading title inappropriately, and
     //   if so, find another way to determine dialog eligibility.
     if (ajax.dialog && ('title' in response)) {
-      var dialog = Drupal.dialog(wrapper, {title: response.title});
+      // Assemble dialog options: starting with title extend it by the settings
+      // "on" the element and then overriding it with response settings.
+      // @todo: clean this up?
+      var dialogOptions = $.extend({title: response.title},
+        ajax.dialog.settings,
+        response.dialog ? response.dialog.settings : {}
+      );
+      var dialog = Drupal.dialog(wrapper, dialogOptions);
       ajax.dialog.modal ? dialog.showModal() : dialog.show();
+      // Wire-up any inserted forms in the dialog.
+      // @see core/modules/views/js/ajax.js:Drupal.ajax.prototype.commands.viewsSetForm
+      if (response.url) {
+        // Identify the button that was clicked so that .ajaxSubmit() can use it.
+        // We need to do this for both .click() and .mousedown() since JavaScript
+        // code might trigger either behavior.
+        var $submit_buttons = wrapper.find('input[type=submit], button');
+        $submit_buttons.click(function(event) {
+          this.form.clk = this;
+        });
+        $submit_buttons.mousedown(function(event) {
+          this.form.clk = this;
+        });
+
+        wrapper.find('form').once('ajax-modal-processed').each(function() {
+          // @todo: should we allow any this to be overridden by request-specific stuff?
+          var element_settings = {
+            'url': response.url,
+            'event': 'submit',
+            'progress': { 'type': 'throbber' },
+            // Keep the form in the dialog
+            // @todo: override w/ response.dialog?
+            'dialog': ajax.dialog
+          };
+          var $form = $(this);
+          var id = $form.attr('id');
+          Drupal.ajax[id] = new Drupal.ajax(id, this, element_settings);
+          Drupal.ajax[id].form = $form;
+        });
+      }
     }
 
     // Immediately hide the new content if we're using any effects.
diff --git a/core/misc/dialog.ajax.js b/core/misc/dialog.ajax.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e522de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/misc/dialog.ajax.js
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+/**
+ * @file
+ * Integrates the dialog API with the Drupal AJAX commands.
+ */
+
+(function ($, Drupal) {
+  "use strict";
+
+  /**
+   * Command to open a dialog.
+   */
+  Drupal.ajax.prototype.commands.openDialog = function (ajax, response, status) {
+    if (!response.selector) {
+      return false;
+    }
+    var $dialog = $(response.selector);
+    if (!$dialog.length) {
+      // Create the element if needed.
+      $dialog = $('<div id="' + response.selector.replace(/^#/, '') + '"/>').appendTo('body');
+    }
+    // Set up the wrapper, if there isn't one.
+    if (!ajax.wrapper) {
+      ajax.wrapper = $dialog.attr('id');
+    }
+
+    response.dialog = response.dialog || {};
+    // Piggyback core's insert command: see effulgentsia's/nod's comments here:
+    // http://drupal.org/node/1667742#comment-6738226)
+    response.command = 'insert';
+    ajax.prototype.commands.insert(ajax, response, status);
+  };
+
+  /**
+   * Command to open a modal dialog.
+   */
+  Drupal.ajax.prototype.commands.openModalDialog = function (ajax, response, status) {
+    response.selector = '#drupal-modal';
+    response.dialog = response.dialog || {};
+    response.dialog.modal = true;
+    ajax.prototype.commands.openDialog(ajax, response, status);
+  };
+
+  /**
+   * Command to close a dialog.
+   *
+   * If no selector is given, it defaults to trying to close the modal.
+   */
+  Drupal.ajax.prototype.commands.closeDialog = function (ajax, response, status) {
+    var $dialog = $(response.selector) || $('#drupal-modal');
+    if ($dialog.length) {
+      var dialog = Drupal.dialog($dialog, {});
+      dialog.close();
+    }
+  };
+
+})(jQuery, Drupal);
diff --git a/core/misc/dialog.js b/core/misc/dialog.js
index c0bccf1..70e7a5e 100644
--- a/core/misc/dialog.js
+++ b/core/misc/dialog.js
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ Drupal.dialog = function (element, options) {
 
   var undef;
   var $element = $(element);
-  var defaults = $.extend(options, drupalSettings.dialog);
+  // Extend the default settings in drupalSettings with the local options.
+  var defaults = $.extend({}, drupalSettings.dialog, options);
   var dialog = {
     open: false,
     returnValue: undef,
diff --git a/core/modules/system/lib/Drupal/system/Tests/Ajax/AjaxCommandsUnitTest.php b/core/modules/system/lib/Drupal/system/Tests/Ajax/AjaxCommandsUnitTest.php
index 2e6c421..8845e66 100644
--- a/core/modules/system/lib/Drupal/system/Tests/Ajax/AjaxCommandsUnitTest.php
+++ b/core/modules/system/lib/Drupal/system/Tests/Ajax/AjaxCommandsUnitTest.php
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@
 use Drupal\Core\Ajax\ReplaceCommand;
 use Drupal\Core\Ajax\RestripeCommand;
 use Drupal\Core\Ajax\SettingsCommand;
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\OpenDialogCommand;
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\OpenModalDialogCommand;
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\CloseDialogCommand;
 
 /**
  * Tests for all AJAX Commands.
@@ -305,5 +308,71 @@ function testSettingsCommand() {
     $this->assertEqual($command->render(), $expected, 'SettingsCommand::render() returns a proper array.');
   }
 
-}
+  /**
+   * Tests that SettingsCommand objects can be constructed and rendered.
+   */
+  function testOpenDialogCommand() {
+    $command = new OpenDialogCommand('#some-dialog', 'Title', '<p>Text!</p>');
+
+    $expected = array(
+      'command' => 'openDialog',
+      'selector' => '#some-dialog',
+      'title' => 'Title',
+      'settings' => NULL,
+      'data' => '<p>Text!</p>',
+      'url' => NULL,
+      'dialog' => array(
+        'modal' => FALSE,
+        'settings' => NULL
+      )
+    );
+
+    $this->assertEqual($command->render(), $expected, 'OpenDialogCommand::render() returns a proper array.');
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Tests that SettingsCommand objects can be constructed and rendered.
+   */
+  function testOpenModalDialogCommand() {
+    $command = new OpenModalDialogCommand('Title', '<p>Text!</p>');
+
+    $expected = array(
+      'command' => 'openModalDialog',
+      'selector' => '#drupal-modal',
+      'title' => 'Title',
+      'settings' => NULL,
+      'data' => '<p>Text!</p>',
+      'url' => NULL,
+      'dialog' => array(
+        'modal' => TRUE,
+        'settings' => NULL
+      )
+    );
 
+    $this->assertEqual($command->render(), $expected, 'OpenModalDialogCommand::render() returns a proper array.');
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Tests that SettingsCommand objects can be constructed and rendered.
+   */
+  function testCloseDialogCommand() {
+    $command = new CloseDialogCommand();
+    $expected = array(
+      'command' => 'closeDialog',
+      'selector' => '#drupal-modal',
+      'settings' => NULL,
+    );
+
+    $this->assertEqual($command->render(), $expected, 'CloseDialogCommand::render() returns a proper array.');
+
+    $command = new CloseDialogCommand('#some-dialog');
+    $expected = array(
+      'command' => 'closeDialog',
+      'selector' => '#some-dialog',
+      'settings' => NULL,
+    );
+
+    $this->assertEqual($command->render(), $expected, 'CloseDialogCommand::render() with a selector returns a proper array.');
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/core/modules/system/system.module b/core/modules/system/system.module
index 336f84b..2906d83 100644
--- a/core/modules/system/system.module
+++ b/core/modules/system/system.module
@@ -1299,6 +1299,8 @@ function system_library_info() {
     'version' => VERSION,
     'js' => array(
       'core/misc/dialog.js' => array('group' => JS_LIBRARY),
+      // @todo: does it make sense to have dialog w/o ajax?
+      'core/misc/dialog.ajax.js' => array('group' => JS_LIBRARY, 'weight' => 3),
     ),
     'dependencies' => array(
       array('system', 'jquery'),
@@ -3393,6 +3395,13 @@ function confirm_form($form, $question, $path, $description = NULL, $yes = NULL,
     '#type' => 'submit',
     '#value' => $yes ? $yes : t('Confirm'),
   );
+
+  if (!isset($options['attributes']) || !isset($options['attributes']['class'])) {
+    $options['attributes']['class'] = array();
+  }
+  // Add the class for improved UX. OTOH, this is not proper.
+  $options['attributes']['class'][] = 'dialog-cancel';
+
   $form['actions']['cancel'] = array(
     '#type' => 'link',
     '#title' => $no ? $no : t('Cancel'),
diff --git a/core/modules/system/tests/modules/ajax_test/ajax_test.module b/core/modules/system/tests/modules/ajax_test/ajax_test.module
index efb1966..536b9ef 100644
--- a/core/modules/system/tests/modules/ajax_test/ajax_test.module
+++ b/core/modules/system/tests/modules/ajax_test/ajax_test.module
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 <?php
 
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\AjaxResponse;
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\OpenModalDialogCommand;
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\CloseDialogCommand;
+
 /**
  * @file
  * Helper module for Ajax framework tests.
@@ -36,6 +40,16 @@ function ajax_test_menu() {
     'page callback' => 'ajax_test_dialog_contents',
     'access callback' => TRUE,
   );
+  $items['ajax-test/dialog-commands'] = array(
+    'title' => 'AJAX Dialog commands',
+    'page callback' => 'ajax_test_dialog_commands',
+    'access callback' => TRUE,
+  );
+  $items['ajax-test/dialog-commands-close'] = array(
+    'title' => 'AJAX Dialog commands: close',
+    'page callback' => 'ajax_test_dialog_commands_close',
+    'access callback' => TRUE,
+  );
   return $items;
 }
 
@@ -95,6 +109,7 @@ function ajax_test_dialog() {
 
   // Dialog behavior applied to a button.
   $build['form'] = drupal_get_form('ajax_test_dialog_form');
+  $build['form']['#attached']['library'][] = array('system', 'drupal.dialog');
 
   // Dialog behavior applied to a #type => 'link'.
   $build['link'] = array(
@@ -125,6 +140,13 @@ function ajax_test_dialog() {
           'wrapper' => 'ajax-test-dialog-wrapper-2',
         ),
       ),
+      'link4' => array(
+        'title' => 'Link 4 (modal with ajax commands)',
+        'href' => 'ajax-test/dialog-commands',
+        'ajax' => array(
+          'dialog' => array('modal' => TRUE),
+        ),
+      ),
     ),
   );
   return $build;
@@ -181,3 +203,39 @@ function ajax_test_dialog_contents() {
   );
 }
 
+/**
+ * Menu callback: Returns ajax commands to open a dialog.
+ */
+function ajax_test_dialog_commands() {
+  $response = new AjaxResponse();
+
+  $content = array(
+    'content' => array(
+      '#markup' => 'Example message',
+    ),
+    'cancel'=> array(
+      '#type' => 'link',
+      '#title' => 'Cancel',
+      '#href' => 'ajax-test/dialog-commands-close',
+      '#ajax' => array(),
+    ),
+  );
+
+  $content = drupal_render($content);
+  // @todo: This currently only tests the modal. let's
+  $response->addCommand(new OpenModalDialogCommand(t('Title'), $content));
+
+  return $response;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Menu callback: Close the ajax dialog.
+ */
+function ajax_test_dialog_commands_close() {
+  $response = new AjaxResponse();
+
+  $response->addCommand(new CloseDialogCommand());
+
+  return $response;
+}
+
diff --git a/modules/dialog_example/dialog_example.info b/modules/dialog_example/dialog_example.info
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75c1679
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/dialog_example/dialog_example.info
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+name = dialog_example
+description = Example module to test/prototype a dialog API that can handle complex use-cases.
+package = Core
+core = 8.x
diff --git a/modules/dialog_example/dialog_example.module b/modules/dialog_example/dialog_example.module
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..456f30e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/dialog_example/dialog_example.module
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+<?php
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\CloseDialogCommand;
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\ReplaceCommand;
+use Drupal\Core\Ajax\AjaxResponse;
+
+function dialog_example_menu() {
+  $items['dialog_example'] = array(
+    'title' => 'Example dialogs',
+    'page callback' => 'dialog_example_page',
+    'access callback' => TRUE,
+    'weight' => -1,
+  );
+  $items['dialog_example/simple'] = array(
+    'title' => 'Simple form callback',
+    'page callback' => 'dialog_example_form',
+    'page arguments' => array('simple'),
+    'access callback' => TRUE,
+  );
+  $items['dialog_example/complex'] = array(
+    'title' => 'Complex form callback',
+    'page callback' => 'dialog_example_form',
+    'page arguments' => array('complex'),
+    'access callback' => TRUE,
+  );
+  $items['dialog_example/complex/%'] = array(
+    'title' => 'Complex form callback',
+    'page callback' => 'dialog_example_form',
+    'page arguments' => array('complex', 2),
+    'access callback' => TRUE,
+  );
+  return $items;
+}
+
+function dialog_example_page() {
+  $links = array();
+  $links[] = array(
+    '#type' => 'link',
+    '#href' => 'dialog_example/simple',
+    '#title' => t('Simple Form [modal]'),
+    '#ajax' => array(
+      'dialog' => array(
+        'modal' => TRUE,
+      ),
+    ),
+    // i know this is evil, but alas ...
+    '#prefix' => '<div>', '#suffix' => '</div>',
+  );
+
+  $links[] = array(
+    '#type' => 'link',
+    '#href' => 'dialog_example/simple',
+    '#title' => t('Simple Form [normal, i.e. non-js/non-ajax fallback]'),
+    // i know this is evil, but alas ...
+    '#prefix' => '<div>', '#suffix' => '</div>',
+  );
+
+  $links[] = array(
+    '#type' => 'link',
+    '#href' => 'dialog_example/complex',
+    '#title' => t('Complex Form [modal]'),
+    '#ajax' => array(
+      'dialog' => array(
+        'modal' => TRUE,
+      ),
+    ),
+    // i know this is evil, but alas ...
+    '#prefix' => '<div>', '#suffix' => '</div>',
+  );
+
+  $links[] = array(
+    '#type' => 'link',
+    '#href' => 'dialog_example/complex',
+    '#title' => t('Complex Form [modal w/ dialog-settings: 750px wide]'),
+    '#ajax' => array(
+      'dialog' => array(
+        'modal' => TRUE,
+        // Some settings passed to the dialog
+        'settings' => array(
+          'width' => '750px',
+        )
+      ),
+    ),
+    // i know this is evil, but alas ...
+    '#prefix' => '<div>', '#suffix' => '</div>',
+  );
+
+  $links[] = array(
+    '#type' => 'link',
+    '#href' => 'dialog_example/complex',
+    '#title' => t('Complex Form [normal, i.e. non-js/non-ajax fallback]'),
+    // i know this is evil, but alas ...
+    '#prefix' => '<div>', '#suffix' => '</div>',
+  );
+
+  $links[] = array(
+    '#type' => 'link',
+    '#href' => 'dialog_example/complex/1',
+    '#title' => t('Complex Form [non-modal dialog-1]'),
+    '#ajax' => array(
+      'wrapper' => '#dialog-1',
+      'dialog' => array(
+        'modal' => FALSE,
+        'settings' => array(
+          'width' => '500px',
+        )
+      )
+    ),
+    // i know this is evil, but alas ...
+    '#prefix' => '<hr/><h4>NON-MODAL DIALOGS:</h4><div>', '#suffix' => '</div>'
+  );
+
+  $links[] = array(
+    '#type' => 'link',
+    '#href' => 'dialog_example/complex/2',
+    '#title' => t('Complex Form [non-modal dialog-2]'),
+    '#ajax' => array(
+      'wrapper' => '#dialog-1',
+      'dialog' => array(
+        'modal' => FALSE,
+        // @todo: some settings passed to the dialog
+        'settings' => array(
+          'width' => '500px',
+        )
+      )
+    ),
+    // i know this is evil, but alas ...
+    '#prefix' => '<div>', '#suffix' => '</div>'
+  );
+
+  return drupal_render($links);
+}
+
+function dialog_example_form($type, $dialog_selector=NULL) {
+  switch ($type) {
+    case 'simple':
+      return drupal_get_form('dialog_example_simple_form');
+      break;
+    case 'complex':
+      if (!ajax_is_ajax_request()) {
+        return drupal_get_form('dialog_example_complex_form');
+      }
+      // For non-modal dialogs the current API suggest, creating
+      $dialog_selector = !empty($dialog_selector) ? ( '#dialog-' . $dialog_selector ) : FALSE;
+      $form_state = array();
+
+      $response = new AjaxResponse();
+      //
+      $openDialogCommand = ajax_dialog_form_wrapper('dialog_example_complex_form', $form_state, array(), $dialog_selector);
+      // Depending on form state do things ...
+      if (!empty($form_state['executed'])) {
+        $response->addCommand(new CloseDialogCommand($dialog_selector ? $dialog_selector : '#drupal-modal'));
+        $response->addCommand(new ReplaceCommand('h1', '<h1 class="title" style="color: green;">' . date('Ymd His') . ' - ' . t('thanks for confirming') . '<h1>'));
+      }
+      elseif (!empty($form_state['submitted'])) {
+        // Change the settings of the dialog.
+        $openDialogCommand->dialog_settings = array(
+          'width' => '700' + rand(0,200) + 'px',
+          'height' => '200' + rand(0,200) + 'px',
+        );
+        $response->addCommand($openDialogCommand);
+        $response->addCommand(new ReplaceCommand('h1', '<h1 class="title">' . date('Ymd His') . ' - ' . t('shenanigans under the dialog') . '<h1>'));
+      } else {
+        $response->addCommand($openDialogCommand);
+      }
+      return $response;
+  }
+}
+
+function dialog_example_simple_form() {
+  $form = array();
+  $cancel = 'dialog_example';
+  $form = confirm_form($form,
+                  t('Simple form'),
+                  $cancel,
+                  t('Click ok or cancel.'),
+                  t('Ok'),
+                  t('Cancel'));
+  return $form;
+}
+
+function dialog_example_simple_form_submit($form, &$form_state) {
+  drupal_set_message(t('Submitted and full page reload / redirect'));
+  $form_state['redirect'] = 'dialog_example';
+}
+
+
+function dialog_example_complex_form() {
+  $form = array();
+  $cancel = 'dialog_example';
+  $form = confirm_form($form,
+                  t('Complex form'),
+                  $cancel,
+                  t('Click ok or cancel.'),
+                  t('Ok'),
+                  t('Cancel'));
+  $form['actions']['okayish'] = array(
+    '#type' => 'submit',
+    '#value' => t('Okayish'),
+    '#weight' => -10
+  );
+  $form['#validate'][] = 'dialog_example_complex_form_validate';
+  return $form;
+}
+
+function dialog_example_complex_form_validate(&$form, &$form_state) {
+  $values = $form_state['values'];
+  if ($values['op'] !== t('Ok')) {
+    form_set_error('example', t('Click "Ok" to execute this form. Note: if this message is w/in a dialog, you should see the dialog being resized randomly to illustrate changing dialog settings via AJAX.'));
+  }
+}
+
+function dialog_example_complex_form_submit($form, &$form_state) {
+  drupal_set_message(t('You submitted the complex form'));
+  $form_state['redirect'] = 'dialog_example';
+}