diff --git a/lib/lita/adapters/shell.rb b/lib/lita/adapters/shell.rb
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/lib/lita/adapters/shell.rb
+++ b/lib/lita/adapters/shell.rb
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ module Lita
   module Adapters
     # An adapter that runs Lita in a UNIX shell.
     class Shell < Adapter
+      config :private_chat, default: false
+
       # Creates a "Shell User" and then loops a prompt and input, passing the
       # incoming messages to the robot.
       # @return [void]
@@ -39,7 +41,7 @@ module Lita
 
       def build_message(input, source)
         message = Message.new(robot, input, source)
-        message.command! if robot.config.adapter.private_chat
+        message.command! if robot.config.adapters.shell.private_chat
         message
       end
 
diff --git a/spec/lita/adapters/shell_spec.rb b/spec/lita/adapters/shell_spec.rb
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/spec/lita/adapters/shell_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lita/adapters/shell_spec.rb
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ describe Lita::Adapters::Shell, lita: true do
       subject.run
     end
 
-    it "marks messages as commands if config.adapter.private_chat is true" do
-      registry.config.adapter.private_chat = true
+    it "marks messages as commands if config.adapters.shell.private_chat is true" do
+      registry.config.adapters.shell.private_chat = true
       expect_any_instance_of(Lita::Message).to receive(:command!)
       subject.run
     end
Use new-style config for shell adapter.