diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index de4fe72..56a089a 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ### Changed
 
+- Clearer help: plain language, examples, commands grouped by topic, and subtle colors in the terminal.
 - `auth login` takes an optional URL (a bare host or any dashboard link) and no longer asks for an account ID, except on Chatwoot versions whose profile doesn't list accounts.
 - `-a` takes an account name; a number still means that account ID on the default account's instance.
 - The config file moves to a versioned format with one entry per account, and help center defaults are saved per account. Existing configs and keyring tokens are upgraded automatically on first run with no prompt; the old config is kept as `config.yaml.bak`, and the old keyring entry is left in place.
diff --git a/cmd/chatwoot/help.go b/cmd/chatwoot/help.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93ce921
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/chatwoot/help.go
@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"regexp"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/alecthomas/kong"
+	"golang.org/x/term"
+)
+
+var helpVerbSwap = regexp.MustCompile(`\b(view|messages|reply|resolve|open|pending|snooze|assign|unassign|label|priority|contact|conversations)\s+<id>`)
+
+// idFirstHelpPrinter runs Kong's default printer into a buffer, swaps
+// `<verb> <id>` → `<id> <verb>` so help reads in the user-facing order,
+// tightens the layout, and adds color when a person is reading it.
+func idFirstHelpPrinter(o kong.HelpOptions, ctx *kong.Context) error {
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	orig := ctx.Stdout
+	ctx.Stdout = &buf
+	err := kong.DefaultHelpPrinter(o, ctx)
+	ctx.Stdout = orig
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	text := layoutHelp(helpVerbSwap.ReplaceAllString(buf.String(), `<id> $1`))
+	if wantHelpColor(isTerminal(orig), ctx.Args) {
+		text = colorizeHelp(text)
+	}
+	_, werr := fmt.Fprint(orig, text)
+	return werr
+}
+
+// helpHeader matches section headers: "Examples:", "Flags:", "Conversations".
+var helpHeader = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Z][A-Za-z ]*:?$`)
+
+var exampleIndent = regexp.MustCompile(`(?m)^    ((?:chatwoot|export) )`)
+
+// layoutHelp gives every section header a blank line under it and moves the
+// section's content two columns left, so entries (commands, flags, examples)
+// start flush left and their descriptions sit two spaces in.
+func layoutHelp(text string) string {
+	lines := strings.Split(exampleIndent.ReplaceAllString(text, "  $1"), "\n")
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(lines)+8)
+	inSection := false
+	for i, line := range lines {
+		switch {
+		case helpHeader.MatchString(line):
+			inSection = true
+			out = append(out, line)
+			if i+1 < len(lines) && lines[i+1] != "" {
+				out = append(out, "")
+			}
+		case inSection && strings.HasPrefix(line, "  "):
+			out = append(out, line[2:])
+		default:
+			out = append(out, line)
+		}
+	}
+	return strings.Join(out, "\n")
+}
+
+// wantHelpColor reports whether help should be colored: only for a person at
+// a terminal, and never with --no-color, NO_COLOR, or TERM=dumb.
+func wantHelpColor(terminal bool, args []string) bool {
+	return terminal &&
+		os.Getenv("NO_COLOR") == "" &&
+		os.Getenv("TERM") != "dumb" &&
+		!slices.Contains(args, "--no-color")
+}
+
+func isTerminal(w any) bool {
+	f, ok := w.(*os.File)
+	return ok && term.IsTerminal(int(f.Fd()))
+}
+
+const ansiReset = "\x1b[0m"
+
+// helpStyle is muted on purpose: 256-color codes that read on dark and light
+// backgrounds. Plain text (example commands) keeps the terminal's own color.
+var helpStyle = struct {
+	header, command, flag, placeholder, note string
+}{
+	header:      "\x1b[1;38;5;75m",  // bold soft blue
+	command:     "\x1b[1m",          // bold
+	flag:        "\x1b[38;5;80m",    // muted cyan
+	placeholder: "\x1b[3;38;5;245m", // italic gray
+	note:        "\x1b[38;5;244m",   // gray
+}
+
+var (
+	helpPlaceholder = regexp.MustCompile(`\[<[a-z-]+>\](?: \.\.\.)?|<[a-z-]+>(?: \.\.\.)?|=[A-Z][A-Z,.|@]*|="[^"]*"|=\d+`)
+	helpExample     = regexp.MustCompile(`^((?:chatwoot|export) .*?)(?:(\s{2,})(\S.*))?$`)
+	helpCommand     = regexp.MustCompile(`^([a-z][\w-]*(?: \([\w-]+\))?(?: [a-z][\w-]*)*?)((?: [<\[].*)?)$`)
+	helpFlag        = regexp.MustCompile(`^(\s*)((?:-\w, )?--[\w-]+\S*)(.*)$`)
+	helpArgument    = regexp.MustCompile(`^(\[?<[\w-]+>\]?(?: \.\.\.)?)(.*)$`)
+)
+
+func paint(style, s string) string {
+	if s == "" {
+		return s
+	}
+	return style + s + ansiReset
+}
+
+func paintPlaceholders(s, after string) string {
+	return helpPlaceholder.ReplaceAllStringFunc(s, func(m string) string {
+		return helpStyle.placeholder + m + ansiReset + after
+	})
+}
+
+// colorizeHelp styles laid-out help text. Each line is styled by the section
+// it's in (Flags, Arguments, Examples, or a group of commands); lines that
+// start with a space are descriptions and stay plain. It only adds escape
+// codes: stripping them gives back the plain text.
+func colorizeHelp(text string) string {
+	lines := strings.Split(text, "\n")
+	section := ""
+	for i, line := range lines {
+		switch {
+		case strings.HasPrefix(line, "Usage:"):
+			lines[i] = paint(helpStyle.header, "Usage:") + paintPlaceholders(line[len("Usage:"):], "")
+			continue
+		case helpHeader.MatchString(line):
+			section = line
+			lines[i] = paint(helpStyle.header, line)
+			continue
+		case section == "" || line == "":
+			continue
+		}
+
+		switch section {
+		case "Flags:":
+			if m := helpFlag.FindStringSubmatch(line); m != nil {
+				lines[i] = m[1] + helpStyle.flag + paintPlaceholders(m[2], helpStyle.flag) + ansiReset + m[3]
+			}
+		case "Arguments:":
+			if m := helpArgument.FindStringSubmatch(line); m != nil {
+				lines[i] = paint(helpStyle.placeholder, m[1]) + m[2]
+			}
+		case "Examples:":
+			if m := helpExample.FindStringSubmatch(line); m != nil {
+				lines[i] = m[1] + m[2] + paint(helpStyle.note, m[3])
+			}
+		default: // a group of commands
+			if m := helpCommand.FindStringSubmatch(line); m != nil {
+				lines[i] = paint(helpStyle.command, m[1]) + paintPlaceholders(m[2], "")
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return strings.Join(lines, "\n")
+}
diff --git a/cmd/chatwoot/help_test.go b/cmd/chatwoot/help_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93f6705
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/chatwoot/help_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,261 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"regexp"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"unicode"
+
+	"github.com/alecthomas/kong"
+	"github.com/chatwoot/cli/internal/cmd"
+)
+
+type helpExit struct{}
+
+// helpFor renders `chatwoot <args> --help` the way a user sees it.
+func helpFor(t *testing.T, args ...string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	var cli cmd.CLI
+	parser, err := newParser(&cli,
+		kong.Writers(&out, &out),
+		kong.Exit(func(int) { panic(helpExit{}) }),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newParser: %v", err)
+	}
+	func() {
+		defer func() {
+			if r := recover(); r != nil {
+				if _, ok := r.(helpExit); !ok {
+					panic(r)
+				}
+			}
+		}()
+		_, _ = parser.Parse(normalizeArgs(append(args, "--help")))
+	}()
+	return out.String()
+}
+
+// Help text is written for people: every command, argument, and flag says
+// something, as a sentence.
+func TestEveryCommandArgAndFlagHasHelp(t *testing.T) {
+	var cli cmd.CLI
+	parser, err := newParser(&cli)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newParser: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	checkSentence := func(what, help string) {
+		t.Helper()
+		help = strings.TrimSpace(help)
+		if help == "" {
+			t.Errorf("%s has no help text", what)
+			return
+		}
+		if first := []rune(help)[0]; !unicode.IsUpper(first) && !unicode.IsDigit(first) {
+			t.Errorf("%s help should start with a capital letter: %q", what, help)
+		}
+		if !strings.HasSuffix(help, ".") && !strings.HasSuffix(help, ")") {
+			t.Errorf("%s help should end with a period: %q", what, help)
+		}
+	}
+
+	var walk func(node *kong.Node)
+	walk = func(node *kong.Node) {
+		// Shell completion is provided by a library with its own wording.
+		if node.Name == "completion" {
+			return
+		}
+		name := node.Path()
+		if node.Type != kong.ApplicationNode {
+			checkSentence("command "+name, node.Help)
+		}
+		for _, arg := range node.Positional {
+			checkSentence("argument "+name+" <"+arg.Name+">", arg.Help)
+		}
+		for _, flag := range node.Flags {
+			checkSentence("flag "+name+" --"+flag.Name, flag.Help)
+		}
+		for _, child := range node.Children {
+			walk(child)
+		}
+	}
+	walk(parser.Model.Node)
+}
+
+func TestRootHelpTeachesTheGrammar(t *testing.T) {
+	out := helpFor(t)
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		`chatwoot conv 123 reply "`, // id before verb
+		"chatwoot @acme",            // pick an account
+		"/app/accounts/",            // paste a link
+		"Conversations",             // commands are grouped
+		"Accounts and login",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(out, want) {
+			t.Errorf("root help missing %q:\n%s", want, out)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCommandHelpHasExamples(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := map[string][]string{
+		"convs":       {"Examples:", "chatwoot convs --assignee all"},
+		"conv":        {"Examples:", "chatwoot conv 123 reply"},
+		"conv reply":  {"Examples:", "--private", "customer"},
+		"conv assign": {"Examples:", "--agent me", "--team"},
+		"conv snooze": {"Examples:", "--until 7d"},
+		"conv label":  {"Examples:", "replaces", "billing,urgent"},
+		"contacts":    {"Examples:", "--search"},
+		"accounts":    {"Examples:", "chatwoot accounts --refresh"},
+		"use":         {"Examples:", "CHATWOOT_ACCOUNT"},
+		"auth login":  {"Examples:", "chatwoot auth login staging.chatwoot.com", "Older Chatwoot versions"},
+		"auth logout": {"Examples:", "chatwoot auth logout staging.chatwoot.com"},
+		"hc articles": {"Examples:", "--query"},
+		"api":         {"Examples:", "chatwoot api /conversations/123"},
+	}
+	for command, wants := range cases {
+		out := helpFor(t, strings.Fields(command)...)
+		for _, want := range wants {
+			if !strings.Contains(out, want) {
+				t.Errorf("chatwoot %s --help missing %q:\n%s", command, want, out)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Usage lines read id-first, matching how commands are typed.
+func TestSubcommandHelpUsesIDFirstOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	out := helpFor(t, "conv", "reply")
+	if !strings.Contains(out, "<id> reply <text>") {
+		t.Fatalf("conv reply usage should read id-first:\n%s", out)
+	}
+}
+
+// Help fits an 80-column terminal, for every command.
+func TestHelpFitsEightyColumns(t *testing.T) {
+	var cli cmd.CLI
+	parser, err := newParser(&cli)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newParser: %v", err)
+	}
+	var paths [][]string
+	var walk func(node *kong.Node, path []string)
+	walk = func(node *kong.Node, path []string) {
+		if node.Name == "completion" {
+			return
+		}
+		paths = append(paths, path)
+		for _, child := range node.Children {
+			walk(child, append(append([]string{}, path...), child.Name))
+		}
+	}
+	walk(parser.Model.Node, nil)
+
+	for _, path := range paths {
+		for _, line := range strings.Split(helpFor(t, path...), "\n") {
+			if n := len([]rune(line)); n > 80 {
+				t.Errorf("chatwoot %s --help has a %d-column line:\n%s", strings.Join(path, " "), n, line)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLayoutHelpSpacesHeadersAndDedentsSections(t *testing.T) {
+	in := "Usage: chatwoot convs\n\nList conversations.\n\nExamples:\n\n    chatwoot convs    Yours\n\n" +
+		"Flags:\n  -h, --help      Help.\n      --no-color  Plain.\n                  More.\n\n" +
+		"Conversations\n  convs [flags]\n    List conversations.\n"
+	want := "Usage: chatwoot convs\n\nList conversations.\n\nExamples:\n\nchatwoot convs    Yours\n\n" +
+		"Flags:\n\n-h, --help      Help.\n    --no-color  Plain.\n                More.\n\n" +
+		"Conversations\n\nconvs [flags]\n  List conversations.\n"
+	if got := layoutHelp(in); got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("layoutHelp() =\n%s\nwant\n%s", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+// Real help output: a blank line after every header, and entries flush left
+// with their descriptions two spaces in.
+func TestHelpSectionLayout(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, args := range [][]string{nil, {"conv"}, {"conv", "reply"}, {"accounts"}} {
+		lines := strings.Split(helpFor(t, args...), "\n")
+		for i, line := range lines[:len(lines)-1] {
+			if helpHeader.MatchString(line) && lines[i+1] != "" {
+				t.Errorf("chatwoot %v --help: no blank line after header %q", args, line)
+			}
+		}
+		out := strings.Join(lines, "\n")
+		for _, bad := range []string{"\n  convs", "\n  -h, --help", "\n    chatwoot convs", "\n    List conversations."} {
+			if strings.Contains(out, bad) {
+				t.Errorf("chatwoot %v --help still indents %q", args, strings.TrimSpace(bad))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	root := helpFor(t)
+	for _, want := range []string{"\nconvs (conversations) [flags]\n  List conversations.", "\n-h, --help ", "\nchatwoot convs "} {
+		if !strings.Contains(root, want) {
+			t.Errorf("root help missing %q:\n%s", want, root)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestColorizeHelpPaintsWithoutChangingText(t *testing.T) {
+	plain := helpFor(t, "conv", "reply")
+	colored := colorizeHelp(plain)
+
+	if !strings.Contains(colored, "\x1b[") {
+		t.Fatal("colorizeHelp added no color")
+	}
+	if got := stripANSI(colored); got != plain {
+		t.Fatalf("colorizing changed the text:\n%s", got)
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		helpStyle.header + "Examples:" + ansiReset,
+		helpStyle.header + "Arguments:" + ansiReset,
+		helpStyle.placeholder + "<id>" + ansiReset,
+		helpStyle.flag + "--private" + ansiReset,
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(colored, want) {
+			t.Errorf("colored help missing %q", want)
+		}
+	}
+
+	root := colorizeHelp(helpFor(t))
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		helpStyle.header + "Conversations" + ansiReset,
+		helpStyle.command + "convs",
+		helpStyle.note + "Your open conversations" + ansiReset, // example descriptions
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(root, want) {
+			t.Errorf("colored root help missing %q", want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHelpColorOnlyForInteractiveTerminals(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv("NO_COLOR", "")
+	t.Setenv("TERM", "xterm-256color")
+	if !wantHelpColor(true, nil) {
+		t.Fatal("a terminal should get color")
+	}
+	if wantHelpColor(false, nil) {
+		t.Fatal("a pipe or file must stay plain")
+	}
+	if wantHelpColor(true, []string{"convs", "--no-color", "--help"}) {
+		t.Fatal("--no-color must turn color off")
+	}
+	t.Setenv("NO_COLOR", "1")
+	if wantHelpColor(true, nil) {
+		t.Fatal("NO_COLOR must turn color off")
+	}
+	t.Setenv("NO_COLOR", "")
+	t.Setenv("TERM", "dumb")
+	if wantHelpColor(true, nil) {
+		t.Fatal("TERM=dumb must stay plain")
+	}
+}
+
+func stripANSI(s string) string {
+	return regexp.MustCompile(`\x1b\[[0-9;]*m`).ReplaceAllString(s, "")
+}
diff --git a/cmd/chatwoot/main.go b/cmd/chatwoot/main.go
index 3c67b10..f7d5ed4 100644
--- a/cmd/chatwoot/main.go
+++ b/cmd/chatwoot/main.go
@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
-	"regexp"
 	"slices"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -36,8 +34,6 @@ var (
 	// valueFlags are global flags whose value is the next token, so the arg
 	// rewriters must skip both when looking for the noun.
 	valueFlags = []string{"-o", "--output", "-a", "--account"}
-
-	helpVerbSwap = regexp.MustCompile(`\b(view|messages|reply|resolve|open|pending|snooze|assign|unassign|label|priority|contact|conversations)\s+<id>`)
 )
 
 func main() {
@@ -93,14 +89,18 @@ func main() {
 	app.Finish(os.Stderr, interactive)
 }
 
-func newParser(cli *cmd.CLI) (*kong.Kong, error) {
-	return kong.New(cli,
+func newParser(cli *cmd.CLI, extra ...kong.Option) (*kong.Kong, error) {
+	options := []kong.Option{
 		kong.Name("chatwoot"),
-		kong.Description("CLI for Chatwoot."),
+		kong.Description("Work with your Chatwoot inbox from the terminal."),
 		kong.Vars{"version": version},
 		kong.UsageOnError(),
 		kong.Help(idFirstHelpPrinter),
-	)
+		// Top-level help lists commands, not every verb; `chatwoot conv --help`
+		// shows the verbs.
+		kong.ConfigureHelp(kong.HelpOptions{NoExpandSubcommands: true}),
+	}
+	return kong.New(cli, append(options, extra...)...)
 }
 
 // normalizeArgs turns the user-facing grammar into what Kong parses.
@@ -197,18 +197,3 @@ func rewriteIDFirstGrammar(args []string) []string {
 	out[i+1], out[i+2] = out[i+2], out[i+1]
 	return out
 }
-
-// idFirstHelpPrinter runs Kong's default printer into a buffer, then swaps
-// `<verb> <id>` → `<id> <verb>` so help reads in the user-facing order.
-func idFirstHelpPrinter(o kong.HelpOptions, ctx *kong.Context) error {
-	var buf bytes.Buffer
-	orig := ctx.Stdout
-	ctx.Stdout = &buf
-	err := kong.DefaultHelpPrinter(o, ctx)
-	ctx.Stdout = orig
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	_, werr := fmt.Fprint(orig, helpVerbSwap.ReplaceAllString(buf.String(), `<id> $1`))
-	return werr
-}
diff --git a/internal/cmd/accounts.go b/internal/cmd/accounts.go
index c4c58df..74584bf 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/accounts.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/accounts.go
@@ -20,12 +20,22 @@ var fetchProfile = func(client *sdk.Client) (*sdk.ProfileResponse, error) {
 
 // AccountsCmd is `chatwoot accounts` — list, refresh, and rename accounts.
 type AccountsCmd struct {
-	List   AccountsListCmd   `cmd:"" default:"withargs" help:"List registered accounts (the default)."`
-	Rename AccountsRenameCmd `cmd:"" help:"Give an account your own name."`
+	List   AccountsListCmd   `cmd:"" default:"withargs" help:"List your accounts. You can leave out 'list': 'chatwoot accounts' works too."`
+	Rename AccountsRenameCmd `cmd:"" help:"Give an account a name you prefer."`
 }
 
 type AccountsListCmd struct {
-	Refresh bool `help:"Re-sync accounts with every saved login."`
+	Refresh bool `help:"Check for accounts you've joined or left since you logged in."`
+}
+
+func (c *AccountsCmd) Help() string {
+	return `Accounts show up here when you log in. The one marked * is your default.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot accounts                                List your accounts
+  chatwoot accounts --refresh                      Find new or removed ones
+  chatwoot accounts rename chatwoot-staging stg    Use a shorter name
+  chatwoot @stg convs                              Use one for one command`
 }
 
 // accountView is the JSON shape of one listed account.
@@ -190,8 +200,8 @@ func resolveAccount(cfg *config.Config, selector string) (*config.Account, error
 }
 
 type AccountsRenameCmd struct {
-	Old string `arg:"" help:"Current account name."`
-	New string `arg:"" help:"New account name."`
+	Old string `arg:"" help:"The account's current name."`
+	New string `arg:"" help:"The name you want. Letters, numbers, and dashes."`
 }
 
 func (c *AccountsRenameCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -214,7 +224,21 @@ func (c *AccountsRenameCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 
 // UseCmd is `chatwoot use <name>` — change the saved default account.
 type UseCmd struct {
-	Name string `arg:"" optional:"" help:"Account name (or unique prefix) to make the default. Omit to show the current default."`
+	Name string `arg:"" optional:"" help:"The account name, or just its first few letters. Leave out to see your current default."`
+}
+
+func (c *UseCmd) Help() string {
+	return `Your default account is used whenever a command doesn't name one. This
+changes it everywhere: every terminal and script on this machine.
+
+To switch just for one command, put @name first. For one terminal session or
+a script, set CHATWOOT_ACCOUNT instead.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot use acme                       Make acme the default
+  chatwoot use                            Show the current default
+  chatwoot @acme convs                    Use acme for one command only
+  export CHATWOOT_ACCOUNT=acme            Use acme in this terminal only`
 }
 
 func (c *UseCmd) Run(app *App) error {
diff --git a/internal/cmd/api.go b/internal/cmd/api.go
index 04a2313..feee156 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/api.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/api.go
@@ -15,23 +15,26 @@ import (
 )
 
 type ApiCmd struct {
-	Method string   `short:"X" placeholder:"METHOD" help:"HTTP method. Defaults to POST with --data, otherwise GET."`
-	Data   string   `short:"d" placeholder:"JSON|@FILE" help:"JSON request body, or @file to read body from a file."`
-	Header []string `short:"H" placeholder:"HEADER" help:"Additional request header, as 'Name: value'. Repeatable."`
-	Exact  bool     `help:"Use the path exactly as provided under the configured base URL."`
-	Path   string   `arg:"" help:"Endpoint path. /conversations/123 expands under the configured account."`
+	Method string   `short:"X" placeholder:"METHOD" help:"HTTP method, like PATCH or DELETE. Defaults to POST when you send --data, otherwise GET."`
+	Data   string   `short:"d" placeholder:"JSON|@FILE" help:"JSON to send. Use @file.json to send a file, or @- to read from stdin."`
+	Header []string `short:"H" placeholder:"HEADER" help:"Extra header, like 'X-Trace: 1'. Repeat for more."`
+	Exact  bool     `help:"Send the path as-is instead of under your account (for paths outside /api/v1/accounts)."`
+	Path   string   `arg:"" help:"Where to send it, like /conversations/123."`
 }
 
 func (c *ApiCmd) Help() string {
-	return `Account-relative paths such as /conversations/123 are expanded under
-/api/v1/accounts/<account_id>. Use --exact for non-account-scoped paths.
+	return `Paths go under your account, so /conversations/123 calls
+/api/v1/accounts/<id>/conversations/123. The response is printed as JSON.
 
-The default method is GET, or POST when --data is provided. Override with -X.
+A request other than GET can change data, so check it before you run it.
 
 Examples:
   chatwoot api /conversations/123
   chatwoot api -X PATCH /conversations/123 --data '{"status":"open"}'
-  chatwoot api --exact /api/v1/profile`
+  chatwoot api --exact /api/v1/profile
+  chatwoot @staging api /inboxes
+
+API reference: https://developers.chatwoot.com/api-reference/introduction`
 }
 
 func (c *ApiCmd) Run(app *App) error {
diff --git a/internal/cmd/auth.go b/internal/cmd/auth.go
index f9f49d9..4ee8d08 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/auth.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/auth.go
@@ -16,21 +16,38 @@ import (
 )
 
 type AuthCmd struct {
-	Login  AuthLoginCmd  `cmd:"" help:"Login with your Chatwoot credentials."`
-	Logout AuthLogoutCmd `cmd:"" help:"Logout and remove saved credentials."`
-	Status AuthStatusCmd `cmd:"" help:"Show current authentication status."`
+	Login  AuthLoginCmd  `cmd:"" help:"Log in to a Chatwoot instance and add your accounts there."`
+	Logout AuthLogoutCmd `cmd:"" help:"Log out of every instance, or just one."`
+	Status AuthStatusCmd `cmd:"" help:"Show who you're logged in as, and which instance and account."`
 }
 
 const defaultBaseURL = "https://app.chatwoot.com"
 
 type AuthLoginCmd struct {
-	URL string `arg:"" optional:"" help:"Chatwoot URL, or any link copied from the dashboard."`
+	URL string `arg:"" optional:"" help:"Your Chatwoot address, like app.chatwoot.com. A link copied from the dashboard works too. Leave out to be asked."`
 
 	// reader continues a prompt session started elsewhere (a link's offered
 	// login), so buffered input isn't lost between two readers.
 	reader *bufio.Reader
 }
 
+func (c *AuthLoginCmd) Help() string {
+	return `You'll be asked for an access token. Find it in Chatwoot under Profile
+Settings, then Access Token. It's saved in your system keychain.
+
+Every account you belong to is added, each with a short name like acme. See
+them with 'chatwoot accounts'. To add another instance, like staging, log in
+again.
+
+Older Chatwoot versions don't list your accounts. There you're asked for an
+account ID; log in again with another ID to add more.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot auth login                         Asks for the address
+  chatwoot auth login staging.chatwoot.com    Log in to another instance
+  chatwoot auth login https://chat.example.com/app/accounts/3/dashboard`
+}
+
 func (c *AuthLoginCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 	reader := c.reader
 	if reader == nil {
@@ -266,7 +283,15 @@ func readAPIKey(reader *bufio.Reader) (string, error) {
 }
 
 type AuthLogoutCmd struct {
-	URL string `arg:"" optional:"" help:"Log out of one Chatwoot instance only."`
+	URL string `arg:"" optional:"" help:"Only log out of this instance, like staging.chatwoot.com."`
+}
+
+func (c *AuthLogoutCmd) Help() string {
+	return `Removes saved tokens from your keychain, along with the accounts that use them.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot auth logout                             Log out of everything
+  chatwoot auth logout staging.chatwoot.com        Just this instance`
 }
 
 func (c *AuthLogoutCmd) Run(app *App) error {
diff --git a/internal/cmd/cli.go b/internal/cmd/cli.go
index ee663be..3d5c5e1 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/cli.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/cli.go
@@ -12,40 +12,53 @@ import (
 //   - Singular + verb + id:  `chatwoot conv view 123`, `chatwoot conv reply 123 "hi"`
 //   - `conv 123` is shorthand for `conv view 123` (default subcommand).
 type CLI struct {
-	Output  string `short:"o" default:"text" enum:"text,json,csv" help:"Output format."`
-	Account string `short:"a" env:"CHATWOOT_ACCOUNT" placeholder:"NAME" help:"Account to use: a name from 'chatwoot accounts' (or @name), or an account ID."`
-	Quiet   bool   `short:"q" help:"Print only IDs."`
-	NoColor bool   `help:"Disable colored output."`
-	Verbose bool   `short:"v" help:"Show request/response details."`
-
-	// Plurals — list commands.
-	Convs       ConvsCmd    `cmd:"" aliases:"conversations" help:"List conversations."`
-	Contacts    ContactsCmd `cmd:"" help:"List or search contacts."`
-	Inboxes     InboxesCmd  `cmd:"" help:"List inboxes."`
-	Agents      AgentsCmd   `cmd:"" help:"List agents."`
-	Labels      LabelsCmd   `cmd:"" help:"List labels."`
-	Teams       TeamsCmd    `cmd:"" help:"List teams."`
-	HelpCenters HCsCmd      `cmd:"" name:"hcs" aliases:"help-centers" help:"List help centers."`
-
-	// Singulars — context for verbs and subresources.
-	Conv       ConvCmd    `cmd:"" aliases:"conversation" help:"View or act on a conversation."`
-	Contact    ContactCmd `cmd:"" help:"View a contact."`
-	Inbox      InboxCmd   `cmd:"" help:"View an inbox."`
-	HelpCenter HCCmd      `cmd:"" name:"hc" aliases:"help-center" help:"List, search, or view help center articles."`
-
-	// Workflow. `me` and `whoami` are aliases of `auth status`.
-	Me     MeCmd     `cmd:"" help:"Show identity and connection (alias of 'auth status')."`
-	Whoami WhoamiCmd `cmd:"" help:"Show identity and connection (alias of 'auth status')."`
-	Api    ApiCmd    `cmd:"" help:"Make an HTTP request to the Chatwoot API."`
+	Output  string `short:"o" default:"text" enum:"text,json,csv" help:"How to print results: text (for people), json, or csv."`
+	Account string `short:"a" env:"CHATWOOT_ACCOUNT" placeholder:"NAME" help:"Which account to use: a name from 'chatwoot accounts', or an account ID. Same as putting @name first."`
+	Quiet   bool   `short:"q" help:"Print only IDs, one per line. Handy in scripts."`
+	NoColor bool   `help:"Turn off colors."`
+	Verbose bool   `short:"v" help:"Show each HTTP request and response (for debugging)."`
+
+	// Plurals list; singulars view or act on one item.
+	Convs       ConvsCmd    `cmd:"" aliases:"conversations" group:"Conversations" help:"List conversations."`
+	Conv        ConvCmd     `cmd:"" aliases:"conversation" group:"Conversations" help:"View or act on one conversation: reply, resolve, assign, label, and more."`
+	Contacts    ContactsCmd `cmd:"" group:"Contacts and team" help:"List or search contacts."`
+	Contact     ContactCmd  `cmd:"" group:"Contacts and team" help:"View a contact or their conversations."`
+	Inboxes     InboxesCmd  `cmd:"" group:"Contacts and team" help:"List inboxes."`
+	Inbox       InboxCmd    `cmd:"" group:"Contacts and team" help:"View an inbox."`
+	Agents      AgentsCmd   `cmd:"" group:"Contacts and team" help:"List agents."`
+	Teams       TeamsCmd    `cmd:"" group:"Contacts and team" help:"List teams."`
+	Labels      LabelsCmd   `cmd:"" group:"Contacts and team" help:"List the labels you can put on conversations."`
+	HelpCenters HCsCmd      `cmd:"" name:"hcs" aliases:"help-centers" group:"Help center" help:"List help centers."`
+	HelpCenter  HCCmd       `cmd:"" name:"hc" aliases:"help-center" group:"Help center" help:"Search and read help center articles."`
 
 	// Setup.
-	Accounts AccountsCmd `cmd:"" help:"List, refresh, or rename your accounts."`
-	Use      UseCmd      `cmd:"" help:"Set the default account."`
-	Auth     AuthCmd     `cmd:"" help:"Login, logout, and status."`
-	Config   ConfigCmd   `cmd:"" aliases:"cfg" help:"Manage CLI configuration."`
+	Auth     AuthCmd     `cmd:"" group:"Accounts and login" help:"Log in, log out, or see who you're logged in as."`
+	Accounts AccountsCmd `cmd:"" group:"Accounts and login" help:"See your accounts, pick up new ones, or rename them."`
+	Use      UseCmd      `cmd:"" group:"Accounts and login" help:"Choose your default account."`
+	Me       MeCmd       `cmd:"" group:"Accounts and login" help:"Show who you're logged in as, and where (same as 'auth status')."`
+	Whoami   WhoamiCmd   `cmd:"" group:"Accounts and login" help:"Show who you're logged in as, and where (same as 'auth status')."`
+
+	Api        ApiCmd                    `cmd:"" group:"Other" help:"Call any Chatwoot API endpoint, for things without a command yet."`
+	Config     ConfigCmd                 `cmd:"" aliases:"cfg" group:"Other" help:"Show your saved settings and where they live."`
+	Completion kongcompletion.Completion `cmd:"" group:"Other" help:"Set up tab completion for your shell."`
+	Version    VersionCmd                `cmd:"" group:"Other" help:"Show the CLI version."`
+
+	VersionFlag kong.VersionFlag `name:"version" help:"Show the CLI version."`
+}
+
+// Help is shown under the one-line description in `chatwoot --help`.
+func (c *CLI) Help() string {
+	return `Commands read the way you'd say them: which account, what, which one, then
+what to do. Leave out the account to use your default.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot convs                      Your open conversations
+  chatwoot conv 123                   Look at conversation 123
+  chatwoot conv 123 reply "On it!"    Reply to it
+  chatwoot @acme convs                The same list, in your acme account
 
-	Completion kongcompletion.Completion `cmd:"" help:"Print shell completion setup."`
-	Version    VersionCmd                `cmd:"" help:"Print the CLI version."`
+Copied a link from the dashboard? Use it in place of "conv 123":
+  chatwoot https://app.chatwoot.com/app/accounts/1/conversations/123 resolve
 
-	VersionFlag kong.VersionFlag `name:"version" help:"Print the CLI version."`
+New here? Start with: chatwoot auth login`
 }
diff --git a/internal/cmd/config.go b/internal/cmd/config.go
index a395fa1..a2eadca 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/config.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/config.go
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ import (
 )
 
 type ConfigCmd struct {
-	Path ConfigPathCmd `cmd:"" help:"Print the config file path."`
-	View ConfigViewCmd `cmd:"" help:"Print current configuration."`
+	Path ConfigPathCmd `cmd:"" help:"Print where your settings file is."`
+	View ConfigViewCmd `cmd:"" help:"Show your accounts and saved settings. Tokens are never shown."`
 }
 
 type ConfigPathCmd struct{}
diff --git a/internal/cmd/contact.go b/internal/cmd/contact.go
index c8ca0d1..2004f3c 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/contact.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/contact.go
@@ -13,9 +13,16 @@ import (
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ContactsCmd struct {
-	Search string `help:"Search query (name, email, phone)."`
-	Page   int    `short:"p" default:"1" help:"Page number."`
-	Sort   string `help:"Sort by name, email, phone_number, last_activity_at; '-' prefix for descending."`
+	Search string `help:"Find contacts by name, email, or phone number."`
+	Page   int    `short:"p" default:"1" help:"Which page of results to show."`
+	Sort   string `help:"Sort by name, email, phone_number, or last_activity_at. Put - in front to reverse, like -last_activity_at."`
+}
+
+func (c *ContactsCmd) Help() string {
+	return `Examples:
+  chatwoot contacts                                List contacts
+  chatwoot contacts --search "jane@example.com"    Find someone
+  chatwoot contacts --sort -last_activity_at       Most recently active first`
 }
 
 func (c *ContactsCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -68,12 +75,12 @@ func (c *ContactsCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ContactCmd struct {
-	View          ContactViewCmd          `cmd:"" default:"withargs" help:"View a contact (default)."`
-	Conversations ContactConversationsCmd `cmd:"" help:"List conversations for the contact."`
+	View          ContactViewCmd          `cmd:"" default:"withargs" help:"Show the contact. You can leave out 'view': 'chatwoot contact 456' works too."`
+	Conversations ContactConversationsCmd `cmd:"" help:"List this contact's conversations."`
 }
 
 type ContactViewCmd struct {
-	ID int `arg:"" help:"Contact ID."`
+	ID int `arg:"" help:"The contact ID."`
 }
 
 func (c *ContactViewCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -104,7 +111,7 @@ func renderContact(app *App, contact *sdk.ContactFull) error {
 }
 
 type ContactConversationsCmd struct {
-	ID int `arg:"" help:"Contact ID."`
+	ID int `arg:"" help:"The contact ID."`
 }
 
 func (c *ContactConversationsCmd) Run(app *App) error {
diff --git a/internal/cmd/conversation.go b/internal/cmd/conversation.go
index eef8276..a720e12 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/conversation.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/conversation.go
@@ -19,13 +19,25 @@ import (
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ConvsCmd struct {
-	Status   string   `short:"s" default:"open" help:"Filter: open, resolved, pending, snoozed."`
-	Inbox    int      `short:"i" help:"Filter by inbox ID."`
-	Assignee string   `default:"me" help:"Filter: me, unassigned, all."`
-	Team     int      `help:"Filter by team ID."`
-	Label    []string `short:"l" help:"Filter by labels."`
-	Query    string   `help:"Search conversations by message content."`
-	Page     int      `short:"p" default:"1" help:"Page number."`
+	Status   string   `short:"s" default:"open" help:"Only conversations with this status: open, resolved, pending, or snoozed."`
+	Inbox    int      `short:"i" help:"Only this inbox (IDs are in 'chatwoot inboxes')."`
+	Assignee string   `default:"me" help:"Whose conversations: me, unassigned, or all."`
+	Team     int      `help:"Only this team (IDs are in 'chatwoot teams')."`
+	Label    []string `short:"l" help:"Only conversations with these labels, like billing,urgent."`
+	Query    string   `help:"Search for words in the messages."`
+	Page     int      `short:"p" default:"1" help:"Which page of results to show."`
+}
+
+func (c *ConvsCmd) Help() string {
+	return `With no flags, this shows the open conversations assigned to you.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot convs                          Your open conversations
+  chatwoot convs --assignee all           Everyone's open conversations
+  chatwoot convs --assignee unassigned    Nobody has picked these up yet
+  chatwoot convs -s resolved -l billing   Resolved, labeled billing
+  chatwoot convs --query "refund"         Search the messages
+  chatwoot convs -q                       Just the IDs, for scripts`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvsCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -76,24 +88,38 @@ func (c *ConvsCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ConvCmd struct {
-	View     ConvViewCmd     `cmd:"" default:"withargs" help:"View a conversation (default)."`
-	Messages ConvMessagesCmd `cmd:"" help:"List messages in the conversation."`
-	Reply    ConvReplyCmd    `cmd:"" help:"Reply to the conversation."`
+	View     ConvViewCmd     `cmd:"" default:"withargs" help:"Show the conversation. You can leave out 'view': 'chatwoot conv 123' works too."`
+	Messages ConvMessagesCmd `cmd:"" help:"Show the messages in the conversation."`
+	Reply    ConvReplyCmd    `cmd:"" help:"Send a reply the customer will see, or a private note with --private."`
 	Resolve  ConvResolveCmd  `cmd:"" help:"Mark the conversation as resolved."`
-	Open     ConvOpenCmd     `cmd:"" help:"Set the conversation status to open."`
-	Pending  ConvPendingCmd  `cmd:"" help:"Set the conversation status to pending."`
-	Snooze   ConvSnoozeCmd   `cmd:"" help:"Snooze the conversation (default: until next reply)."`
-	Assign   ConvAssignCmd   `cmd:"" help:"Assign the conversation to an agent and/or team (--agent, --team)."`
-	Unassign ConvUnassignCmd `cmd:"" help:"Remove the assignee."`
-	Label    ConvLabelCmd    `cmd:"" help:"Set labels on the conversation (replaces existing)."`
-	Priority ConvPriorityCmd `cmd:"" help:"Set or clear conversation priority."`
-	Contact  ConvContactCmd  `cmd:"" help:"View the contact (sender) for the conversation."`
+	Open     ConvOpenCmd     `cmd:"" help:"Reopen the conversation."`
+	Pending  ConvPendingCmd  `cmd:"" help:"Mark the conversation as pending."`
+	Snooze   ConvSnoozeCmd   `cmd:"" help:"Snooze the conversation until the customer replies, or until a time you pick."`
+	Assign   ConvAssignCmd   `cmd:"" help:"Assign the conversation to an agent, a team, or both."`
+	Unassign ConvUnassignCmd `cmd:"" help:"Remove the assigned agent."`
+	Label    ConvLabelCmd    `cmd:"" help:"Set the conversation's labels. This replaces the labels it has now."`
+	Priority ConvPriorityCmd `cmd:"" help:"Set the priority, or clear it with none."`
+	Contact  ConvContactCmd  `cmd:"" help:"Show the contact who started the conversation."`
+}
+
+func (c *ConvCmd) Help() string {
+	return `Put the conversation ID first, then what to do.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot conv 123                             Show conversation 123
+  chatwoot conv 123 messages                    Read its messages
+  chatwoot conv 123 reply "On it!"              Reply to the customer
+  chatwoot conv 123 reply "Called" --private    Leave a note for your team
+  chatwoot conv 123 resolve                     Mark it resolved
+  chatwoot conv 123 assign --agent me           Take it yourself
+
+A link copied from the dashboard works in place of "conv 123".`
 }
 
 // -- view ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ConvViewCmd struct {
-	ID int `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
+	ID int `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvViewCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -142,9 +168,9 @@ func (c *ConvViewCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 // -- messages -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ConvMessagesCmd struct {
-	ID     int `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
-	Before int `help:"Messages before this message ID."`
-	After  int `help:"Messages after this message ID."`
+	ID     int `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
+	Before int `help:"Show messages older than this message ID."`
+	After  int `help:"Show messages newer than this message ID."`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvMessagesCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -219,9 +245,18 @@ func convLockScope(app *App) string {
 // -- reply --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ConvReplyCmd struct {
-	ID      int    `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
-	Text    string `arg:"" help:"Reply content."`
-	Private bool   `help:"Send as a private note instead of a public reply."`
+	ID      int    `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
+	Text    string `arg:"" help:"What to send. Put it in quotes."`
+	Private bool   `help:"Post a private note only your team can see, instead of a reply."`
+}
+
+func (c *ConvReplyCmd) Help() string {
+	return `Without --private, the customer sees your reply right away, and it can't be
+taken back.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot conv 123 reply "Thanks, we're on it!"
+  chatwoot conv 123 reply "Refund approved by finance" --private`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvReplyCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -246,7 +281,7 @@ func (c *ConvReplyCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 // -- status verbs: resolve / open / pending / snooze --------------------------
 
 type ConvResolveCmd struct {
-	ID int `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
+	ID int `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvResolveCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -256,7 +291,7 @@ func (c *ConvResolveCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 }
 
 type ConvOpenCmd struct {
-	ID int `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
+	ID int `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvOpenCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -266,7 +301,7 @@ func (c *ConvOpenCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 }
 
 type ConvPendingCmd struct {
-	ID int `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
+	ID int `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvPendingCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -276,8 +311,18 @@ func (c *ConvPendingCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 }
 
 type ConvSnoozeCmd struct {
-	ID    int    `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
-	Until string `help:"Snooze duration (e.g. 24h, 7d) or absolute date (2006-01-02). Omit to snooze until next reply."`
+	ID    int    `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
+	Until string `help:"When it should come back: a length of time like 4h, 2d, or 1w, or a date like 2026-05-10. Leave out to wait for the customer's next reply."`
+}
+
+func (c *ConvSnoozeCmd) Help() string {
+	return `A snoozed conversation leaves your open list and comes back on its own.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot conv 123 snooze                  Until the customer replies
+  chatwoot conv 123 snooze --until 4h       For four hours
+  chatwoot conv 123 snooze --until 7d       For a week
+  chatwoot conv 123 snooze --until 2026-05-10`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvSnoozeCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -346,9 +391,20 @@ func parseExtendedDuration(s string) (time.Duration, bool) {
 // -- assign / unassign --------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ConvAssignCmd struct {
-	ID    int    `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
-	Agent string `help:"Agent ID, 'me', or name (case-insensitive substring)."`
-	Team  int    `help:"Team ID."`
+	ID    int    `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
+	Agent string `help:"Who to assign: me, an agent ID, part of their name, or the start of their email."`
+	Team  int    `help:"Team to assign (IDs are in 'chatwoot teams')."`
+}
+
+func (c *ConvAssignCmd) Help() string {
+	return `If a name matches more than one agent, nothing changes and you'll see who
+matched, so you can use their ID instead.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot conv 123 assign --agent me
+  chatwoot conv 123 assign --agent alice
+  chatwoot conv 123 assign --agent 42 --team 7
+  chatwoot conv 123 assign --team 7`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvAssignCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -388,7 +444,7 @@ func (c *ConvAssignCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 }
 
 type ConvUnassignCmd struct {
-	ID int `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
+	ID int `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvUnassignCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -408,8 +464,17 @@ func (c *ConvUnassignCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 // -- label --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ConvLabelCmd struct {
-	ID     int      `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
-	Labels []string `arg:"" help:"Labels to set (comma-separated or repeated). Replaces existing."`
+	ID     int      `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
+	Labels []string `arg:"" help:"The labels it should have, like billing,urgent."`
+}
+
+func (c *ConvLabelCmd) Help() string {
+	return `Any label you leave out is removed. To add one, include the labels it
+already has (see 'chatwoot conv 123').
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot conv 123 label billing,urgent
+  chatwoot conv 123 label billing urgent`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvLabelCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -438,8 +503,8 @@ func (c *ConvLabelCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 // -- priority -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ConvPriorityCmd struct {
-	ID    int    `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
-	Level string `arg:"" enum:"urgent,high,medium,low,none" help:"Priority: urgent, high, medium, low, or none."`
+	ID    int    `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
+	Level string `arg:"" enum:"urgent,high,medium,low,none" help:"One of urgent, high, medium, or low. Use none to clear it."`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvPriorityCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -463,7 +528,7 @@ func (c *ConvPriorityCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 // -- contact ------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type ConvContactCmd struct {
-	ID int `arg:"" help:"Conversation ID."`
+	ID int `arg:"" help:"The conversation ID."`
 }
 
 func (c *ConvContactCmd) Run(app *App) error {
diff --git a/internal/cmd/help_center.go b/internal/cmd/help_center.go
index f0d7908..72b6bfc 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/help_center.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/help_center.go
@@ -48,15 +48,15 @@ func (c *HCsCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 }
 
 type HCCmd struct {
-	List     HCsCmd        `cmd:"" help:"List help centers."`
-	Default  HCDefaultCmd  `cmd:"" help:"Show, set, or clear the default help center."`
-	Articles HCArticlesCmd `cmd:"" help:"List or search public help center articles."`
-	Article  HCArticleCmd  `cmd:"" help:"Get a public help center article."`
+	List     HCsCmd        `cmd:"" help:"List help centers (same as 'chatwoot hcs')."`
+	Default  HCDefaultCmd  `cmd:"" help:"Choose which help center to search by default, or show the current one."`
+	Articles HCArticlesCmd `cmd:"" help:"List or search published articles."`
+	Article  HCArticleCmd  `cmd:"" help:"Read one article."`
 }
 
 type HCDefaultCmd struct {
-	Slug  string `arg:"" optional:"" help:"Help center portal slug to set as default."`
-	Clear bool   `help:"Clear the configured default help center."`
+	Slug  string `arg:"" optional:"" help:"The help center's slug (see 'chatwoot hcs'). Leave out to see the current default."`
+	Clear bool   `help:"Forget the default help center."`
 }
 
 func (c *HCDefaultCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -101,12 +101,22 @@ func (c *HCDefaultCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 }
 
 type HCArticlesCmd struct {
-	PortalSlug   string `name:"portal" help:"Help center portal slug. Defaults to 'chatwoot hc default'."`
-	Locale       string `help:"Article locale, for example en. Defaults to the configured help center locale."`
-	CategorySlug string `name:"category" help:"Restrict results to a category slug."`
-	Query        string `help:"Search query."`
-	Page         int    `short:"p" default:"1" help:"Page number."`
-	PerPage      int    `help:"Results per page, capped by Chatwoot at 100."`
+	PortalSlug   string `name:"portal" help:"Which help center to search. Uses your default if you leave it out."`
+	Locale       string `help:"Which language, like en or fr. Uses your default help center's language if you leave it out."`
+	CategorySlug string `name:"category" help:"Only articles in this category."`
+	Query        string `help:"Words to search for."`
+	Page         int    `short:"p" default:"1" help:"Which page of results to show."`
+	PerPage      int    `help:"How many articles per page (up to 100)."`
+}
+
+func (c *HCArticlesCmd) Help() string {
+	return `Set a default help center first with 'chatwoot hc default <slug>', or pass
+--portal and --locale each time.
+
+Examples:
+  chatwoot hc articles --query "api channel"
+  chatwoot hc articles --category getting-started
+  chatwoot hc articles --portal docs --locale fr`
 }
 
 func (c *HCArticlesCmd) Run(app *App) error {
@@ -159,8 +169,8 @@ func (c *HCArticlesCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 }
 
 type HCArticleCmd struct {
-	PortalSlug  string `name:"portal" help:"Help center portal slug. Defaults to 'chatwoot hc default'."`
-	ArticleSlug string `arg:"" help:"Article slug."`
+	PortalSlug  string `name:"portal" help:"Which help center it's in. Uses your default if you leave it out."`
+	ArticleSlug string `arg:"" help:"The article's slug, from 'chatwoot hc articles'."`
 }
 
 func (c *HCArticleCmd) Run(app *App) error {
diff --git a/internal/cmd/inbox.go b/internal/cmd/inbox.go
index 06f4a9a..127ec7b 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/inbox.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/inbox.go
@@ -48,11 +48,11 @@ func (c *InboxesCmd) Run(app *App) error {
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type InboxCmd struct {
-	View InboxViewCmd `cmd:"" default:"withargs" help:"View an inbox (default)."`
+	View InboxViewCmd `cmd:"" default:"withargs" help:"Show the inbox. You can leave out 'view': 'chatwoot inbox 5' works too."`
 }
 
 type InboxViewCmd struct {
-	ID int `arg:"" help:"Inbox ID."`
+	ID int `arg:"" help:"The inbox ID (see 'chatwoot inboxes')."`
 }
 
 func (c *InboxViewCmd) Run(app *App) error {
diff --git a/internal/cmd/version.go b/internal/cmd/version.go
index 79b4ff3..110453b 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/version.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/version.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ var latestReleaseURL = "https://api.github.com/repos/chatwoot/cli/releases/lates
 // VersionCmd is `chatwoot version` — prints the CLI version. Equivalent to
 // the `--version` flag, exposed as a subcommand for discoverability.
 type VersionCmd struct {
-	Check bool `help:"Check GitHub for a newer release."`
+	Check bool `help:"Also check whether a newer version is out."`
 }
 
 func (c *VersionCmd) Run(app *App) error {