+@subsection Running @code{shell} on a remote host
+@cindex shell
+
+Calling @code{M-x shell} in a buffer related to a remote host runs the
+local shell as defined in @option{shell-file-name}. This might be
+also a valid path name for a shell to be applied on the remote host,
+but it will fail at least when your local and remote hosts belong to
+different system types, like @samp{windows-nt} and @samp{gnu/linux}.
+
+You must set the variable @option{explicit-shell-file-name} to the
+shell path name on the remote host, in order to start that shell on
+the remote host.
+
+@ifset emacs
+Starting with Emacs 24 this won't be necessary, if you call
+@code{shell} interactively. You will be asked for the remote shell
+path, if you are on a remote buffer, and if
+@option{explicit-shell-file-name} is equal to @code{nil}.
+@end ifset
+
+
+@subsection Running @code{shell-command} on a remote host