diff --git a/docs/source/reference/api.md b/docs/source/reference/api.md
index 916e6df..4b93140 100644
--- a/docs/source/reference/api.md
+++ b/docs/source/reference/api.md
@@ -1,65 +1,33 @@
 # `BatDetect2API` reference
 
-`BatDetect2API` is the main entry point for the current Python workflow.
+`BatDetect2API` is the main Python entry point for BatDetect2.
 
-It wraps model loading, inference, evaluation, output formatting, and
-training-related entry points behind one object.
+Use it when you want to load a model, run prediction, inspect detections,
+evaluate results, or train from Python.
 
 Defined in `batdetect2.api_v2`.
 
-## Create an API instance
+## Main ways to create it
 
 - `BatDetect2API.from_checkpoint(path, ...)`
-  - load a trained checkpoint and optional config overrides.
+  - load a trained checkpoint, a bundled checkpoint alias, or a Hugging Face
+    checkpoint.
 - `BatDetect2API.from_config(model_config=..., targets_config=..., ...)`
-  - build a full stack from separate config objects.
+  - build a full model stack from config objects.
 
-## Inference methods
+## Common tasks
 
-- `process_file(audio_file, ...)`
-  - run inference for one recording.
-- `process_files(audio_files, ...)`
-  - run batch inference across a sequence of file paths.
-- `process_directory(audio_dir, ...)`
-  - run inference across the audio files found in one directory.
-- `process_clips(clips, ...)`
-  - run inference on an explicit sequence of clip objects.
-- `process_audio(audio, ...)`
-  - run inference starting from a waveform array.
-- `process_spectrogram(spec, ...)`
-  - run inference starting from a spectrogram tensor.
+- Load a checkpoint and run prediction on one file.
+- Run prediction on many files or clips.
+- Save predictions in one of the supported output formats.
+- Evaluate a model on labelled data.
+- Fine-tune an existing checkpoint on new targets.
 
-## Prediction inspection helpers
+## Generated reference
 
-- `get_top_class_name(detection)`
-  - return the highest-scoring class name for one detection.
-- `get_class_scores(detection, include_top_class=True, sort_descending=True)`
-  - return ranked `(class_name, score)` pairs.
-- `get_detection_features(detection)`
-  - return the per-detection feature vector.
-
-## Audio loading helpers
-
-- `load_audio(path)`
-- `load_recording(recording)`
-- `load_clip(clip)`
-- `generate_spectrogram(audio)`
-
-## Output persistence helpers
-
-- `save_predictions(predictions, path, audio_dir=None, format=None,
-  config=None)`
-- `load_predictions(path, format=None, config=None)`
-
-Use these when you want to save programmatic predictions without going through
-the CLI.
-
-## Training and evaluation entry points
-
-- `train(...)`
-- `finetune(...)`
-- `evaluate(...)`
-- `evaluate_predictions(...)`
+```{eval-rst}
+.. autoclass:: batdetect2.api_v2.BatDetect2API
+```
 
 ## Related pages
 
diff --git a/docs/source/reference/cli/evaluate.rst b/docs/source/reference/cli/evaluate.rst
index 0ac4a73..79281db 100644
--- a/docs/source/reference/cli/evaluate.rst
+++ b/docs/source/reference/cli/evaluate.rst
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 Evaluate command
 ================
 
-Evaluate a checkpoint against a configured test dataset.
+Use ``batdetect2 evaluate`` to compare a checkpoint against labelled test data.
+
+This command writes metrics and any configured artifacts to the output
+directory.
 
 .. click:: batdetect2.cli.evaluate:evaluate_command
    :prog: batdetect2 evaluate
diff --git a/docs/source/reference/cli/finetune.rst b/docs/source/reference/cli/finetune.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..637074c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/source/reference/cli/finetune.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+Finetune command
+================
+
+Use ``batdetect2 finetune`` to adapt an existing checkpoint to a new target
+definition.
+
+If you do not pass ``--model``, the bundled ``uk_same`` checkpoint is used.
+
+.. click:: batdetect2.cli.finetune:finetune_command
+   :prog: batdetect2 finetune
+   :nested: none
diff --git a/docs/source/reference/cli/index.md b/docs/source/reference/cli/index.md
index c8a238b..e7e06e5 100644
--- a/docs/source/reference/cli/index.md
+++ b/docs/source/reference/cli/index.md
@@ -1,31 +1,27 @@
 # CLI reference
 
 Use this section to find the right command quickly, then open the command page
-for full options and argument details.
-
-## How to use this section
-
-1. Start with {doc}`base` for options shared across the CLI.
-2. Pick the command group or command you need from the command map below.
-3. Open the linked page for complete autogenerated option reference.
+for the full option list.
 
 ## Command map
 
 | Command | Use it for | Required positional args |
 | --- | --- | --- |
-| `batdetect2 predict` | Run inference on audio | Depends on subcommand (`directory`, `file_list`, `dataset`) |
+| `batdetect2 predict` | Run prediction on audio | Depends on subcommand (`directory`, `file_list`, `dataset`) |
 | `batdetect2 data` | Inspect and convert dataset configs | Depends on subcommand (`summary`, `convert`) |
 | `batdetect2 train` | Train or fine-tune models | `TRAIN_DATASET` |
+| `batdetect2 finetune` | Fine-tune a checkpoint on new targets | `TRAIN_DATASET` plus `--targets` |
 | `batdetect2 evaluate` | Evaluate a checkpoint on a test dataset | `MODEL_PATH`, `TEST_DATASET` |
 | `batdetect2 detect` | Legacy compatibility workflow | `AUDIO_DIR`, `ANN_DIR`, `DETECTION_THRESHOLD` |
 
-## Global options and conventions
+## Notes
 
 - Global CLI options are documented in {doc}`base`.
 - Paths with spaces should be wrapped in quotes.
 - Input audio is expected to be mono.
-- Legacy `detect` uses a required threshold argument, while `predict` uses the
-  optional `--detection-threshold` override.
+- `predict` uses the optional `--detection-threshold` override.
+- `finetune` defaults to the bundled `uk_same` checkpoint if `--model` is not
+  provided.
 
 ```{warning}
 `batdetect2 detect` is a legacy command.
@@ -46,6 +42,7 @@ Base command and global options <base>
 Predict command group <predict>
 Data command group <data>
 Train command <train>
+Finetune command <finetune>
 Evaluate command <evaluate>
 Legacy detect command <detect_legacy>
 ```
diff --git a/docs/source/reference/cli/predict.rst b/docs/source/reference/cli/predict.rst
index 8acf20f..0027ff0 100644
--- a/docs/source/reference/cli/predict.rst
+++ b/docs/source/reference/cli/predict.rst
@@ -1,8 +1,16 @@
 Predict command
 ===============
 
-Run model inference from a directory, a file list, or a dataset.
-Use ``--detection-threshold`` to override the model default per run.
+Use ``batdetect2 predict`` to run prediction on audio.
+
+Choose a subcommand based on how you want to provide the input:
+
+- ``directory`` for all supported audio files in one folder
+- ``file_list`` for a text file with one audio path per line
+- ``dataset`` for recordings referenced by a dataset file
+
+Use ``--detection-threshold`` when you want to override the configured
+threshold for one run.
 
 .. click:: batdetect2.cli.inference:predict
    :prog: batdetect2 predict
diff --git a/docs/source/reference/cli/train.rst b/docs/source/reference/cli/train.rst
index 6c416cb..27661ec 100644
--- a/docs/source/reference/cli/train.rst
+++ b/docs/source/reference/cli/train.rst
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 Train command
 =============
 
-Train a model from dataset configs or fine-tune from a checkpoint.
+Use ``batdetect2 train`` to start from a fresh model config or continue from an
+existing checkpoint.
+
+If you want to adapt an existing checkpoint to a new target definition, use
+``batdetect2 finetune`` instead.
 
 .. click:: batdetect2.cli.train:train_command
    :prog: batdetect2 train
diff --git a/src/batdetect2/api_v2.py b/src/batdetect2/api_v2.py
index 037bf15..4044e10 100644
--- a/src/batdetect2/api_v2.py
+++ b/src/batdetect2/api_v2.py
@@ -47,6 +47,30 @@ DEFAULT_EVAL_DIR: Path = Path("outputs") / "evaluations"
 
 
 class BatDetect2API:
+    """High-level interface for the BatDetect2 workflow.
+
+    Use this to load a model, run inference, inspect detections,
+    evaluate predictions, and train or fine-tune models.
+
+    In most cases, start with :meth:`from_checkpoint` to load a trained model.
+    Use :meth:`from_config` when you want to build a new model with custom configs.
+
+    Examples
+    --------
+    Load the default checkpoint and run prediction on one file.
+
+    >>> from batdetect2.api_v2 import BatDetect2API
+    >>> api = BatDetect2API.from_checkpoint()
+    >>> prediction = api.process_file("recording.wav")
+
+    Load a checkpoint and save predictions for a folder of audio.
+
+    >>> from pathlib import Path
+    >>> api = BatDetect2API.from_checkpoint("uk_same")
+    >>> predictions = api.process_directory("audio")
+    >>> api.save_predictions(predictions, "outputs/")
+    """
+
     def __init__(
         self,
         model_config: ModelConfig,
@@ -66,6 +90,47 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         output_transform: OutputTransformProtocol,
         model: Model,
     ):
+        """Create a fully configured API instance.
+
+        This initializer is mainly for internal wiring.
+        In most cases, users should create the API with
+        :meth:`from_checkpoint` or :meth:`from_config`.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        model_config : ModelConfig
+            Model configuration.
+        audio_config : AudioConfig
+            Audio loading configuration.
+        train_config : TrainingConfig
+            Training configuration.
+        evaluation_config : EvaluationConfig
+            Evaluation configuration.
+        inference_config : InferenceConfig
+            Inference configuration.
+        outputs_config : OutputsConfig
+            Output formatting configuration.
+        logging_config : AppLoggingConfig
+            Logging configuration.
+        targets : TargetProtocol
+            Target definition used by the model.
+        roi_mapper : ROIMapperProtocol
+            ROI mapping used for size targets.
+        audio_loader : AudioLoader
+            Audio loader.
+        preprocessor : PreprocessorProtocol
+            Preprocessor used before the detector.
+        postprocessor : PostprocessorProtocol
+            Postprocessor used after the detector.
+        evaluator : EvaluatorProtocol
+            Evaluator used for metrics.
+        formatter : OutputFormatterProtocol
+            Default formatter used to save predictions.
+        output_transform : OutputTransformProtocol
+            Transform that converts model outputs into detections.
+        model : Model
+            Model instance.
+        """
         self.model_config = model_config
         self.audio_config = audio_config
         self.train_config = train_config
@@ -90,6 +155,21 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         path: data.PathLike,
         base_dir: data.PathLike | None = None,
     ) -> Dataset:
+        """Load a set of annotations from a dataset config file.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        path : data.PathLike
+            Path to the dataset config file.
+        base_dir : data.PathLike | None, optional
+            Base directory used to resolve relative paths in the dataset
+            config.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        Dataset
+            Loaded dataset of annotations.
+        """
         from batdetect2.data import load_dataset_from_config
 
         return load_dataset_from_config(path, base_dir=base_dir)
@@ -112,6 +192,47 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         logger_config: LoggerConfig | None = None,
         logging_callbacks: Sequence[LoggingCallback[TrainLoggingContext]] = (),
     ):
+        """Train the current model on a set of annotations.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        train_annotations : Sequence[data.ClipAnnotation]
+            Training annotations.
+        val_annotations : Sequence[data.ClipAnnotation] | None, optional
+            Validation annotations. If omitted, training runs without a
+            validation set.
+        train_workers : int, optional
+            Number of worker processes for training data loading.
+        val_workers : int, optional
+            Number of worker processes for validation data loading.
+        checkpoint_dir : Path | None, optional
+            Directory where checkpoints are saved.
+        log_dir : Path | None, optional
+            Directory where logs are written.
+        experiment_name : str | None, optional
+            Experiment name used by the configured logger.
+        num_epochs : int | None, optional
+            Maximum number of training epochs.
+        run_name : str | None, optional
+            Run name used by the configured logger.
+        seed : int | None, optional
+            Random seed for reproducibility.
+        model_config : ModelConfig | None, optional
+            Model config override. If omitted, the API model config is used.
+        audio_config : AudioConfig | None, optional
+            Audio config override.
+        train_config : TrainingConfig | None, optional
+            Training config override.
+        logger_config : LoggerConfig | None, optional
+            Training logger config override.
+        logging_callbacks : Sequence[LoggingCallback[TrainLoggingContext]], optional
+            Extra logging callbacks to run during training setup.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        BatDetect2API
+            This API instance with the trained model.
+        """
         from batdetect2.train import run_train
 
         self.model.train()
@@ -161,7 +282,52 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         logger_config: LoggerConfig | None = None,
         logging_callbacks: Sequence[LoggingCallback[TrainLoggingContext]] = (),
     ) -> "BatDetect2API":
-        """Fine-tune from a checkpoint using a new target definition."""
+        """Fine-tune the current model with a new target definition.
+
+        Use this when you want to keep the existing model weights but change
+        the target sounds. You can fine-tune the whole model or just the
+        classifier heads.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        train_annotations : Sequence[data.ClipAnnotation]
+            Training annotations.
+        targets_config : TargetConfig
+            Target definition to train against.
+        val_annotations : Sequence[data.ClipAnnotation] | None, optional
+            Validation annotations.
+        trainable : {"all", "heads", "classifier_head", "bbox_head"}, optional
+            Which model parameters remain trainable.
+        train_workers : int, optional
+            Number of worker processes for training data loading.
+        val_workers : int, optional
+            Number of worker processes for validation data loading.
+        checkpoint_dir : Path | None, optional
+            Directory where checkpoints are saved.
+        log_dir : Path | None, optional
+            Directory where logs are written.
+        experiment_name : str | None, optional
+            Experiment name used by the configured logger.
+        num_epochs : int | None, optional
+            Maximum number of training epochs.
+        run_name : str | None, optional
+            Run name used by the configured logger.
+        seed : int | None, optional
+            Random seed for reproducibility.
+        audio_config : AudioConfig | None, optional
+            Audio config override.
+        train_config : TrainingConfig | None, optional
+            Training config override.
+        logger_config : LoggerConfig | None, optional
+            Training logger config override.
+        logging_callbacks : Sequence[LoggingCallback[TrainLoggingContext]], optional
+            Extra logging callbacks to run during training setup.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        BatDetect2API
+            A new API instance configured for the new targets.
+        """
         from batdetect2.evaluate import build_evaluator
         from batdetect2.models import build_model_with_new_targets
         from batdetect2.outputs import (
@@ -256,6 +422,36 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         outputs_config: OutputsConfig | None = None,
         logger_config: LoggerConfig | None = None,
     ) -> tuple[dict[str, float], list[ClipDetections]]:
+        """Evaluate the current model on a labelled dataset.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        test_annotations : Sequence[data.ClipAnnotation]
+            Labelled clips used for evaluation.
+        num_workers : int, optional
+            Number of worker processes for dataset loading.
+        output_dir : data.PathLike, optional
+            Directory where metrics and plots are written.
+        experiment_name : str | None, optional
+            Experiment name used by the configured logger.
+        run_name : str | None, optional
+            Run name used by the configured logger.
+        save_predictions : bool, optional
+            If ``True``, save formatted predictions alongside metrics.
+        audio_config : AudioConfig | None, optional
+            Audio config override.
+        evaluation_config : EvaluationConfig | None, optional
+            Evaluation config override.
+        outputs_config : OutputsConfig | None, optional
+            Output config override.
+        logger_config : LoggerConfig | None, optional
+            Evaluation logger config override.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        tuple[dict[str, float], list[ClipDetections]]
+            Evaluation metrics and per-clip predictions.
+        """
         from batdetect2.evaluate import run_evaluate
 
         return run_evaluate(
@@ -282,6 +478,22 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         predictions: Sequence[ClipDetections],
         output_dir: data.PathLike | None = None,
     ):
+        """Evaluate an existing set of predictions.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        annotations : Sequence[data.ClipAnnotation]
+            Reference annotations.
+        predictions : Sequence[ClipDetections]
+            Predictions to compare against the annotations.
+        output_dir : data.PathLike | None, optional
+            Directory where metrics and plots are written.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        dict[str, float]
+            Computed evaluation metrics.
+        """
         from batdetect2.evaluate import save_evaluation_results
 
         clip_evals = self.evaluator.evaluate(
@@ -301,12 +513,15 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         return metrics
 
     def load_audio(self, path: data.PathLike) -> np.ndarray:
+        """Load one audio file into a waveform array."""
         return self.audio_loader.load_file(path)
 
     def load_recording(self, recording: data.Recording) -> np.ndarray:
+        """Load one recording object into a waveform array."""
         return self.audio_loader.load_recording(recording)
 
     def load_clip(self, clip: data.Clip) -> np.ndarray:
+        """Load one clip object into a waveform array."""
         return self.audio_loader.load_clip(clip)
 
     def get_top_class_name(self, detection: Detection) -> str:
@@ -358,6 +573,7 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         self,
         audio: np.ndarray,
     ) -> torch.Tensor:
+        """Convert a waveform array into a model spectrogram."""
         import torch
 
         tensor = torch.tensor(audio).unsqueeze(0)
@@ -369,6 +585,23 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         batch_size: int | None = None,
         detection_threshold: float | None = None,
     ) -> ClipDetections:
+        """Run inference on one audio file.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        audio_file : data.PathLike
+            Path to the audio file.
+        batch_size : int | None, optional
+            Batch size override. If omitted, the inference config value is
+            used.
+        detection_threshold : float | None, optional
+            Detection score threshold override.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        ClipDetections
+            Predictions for the full recording.
+        """
         from soundevent import data
 
         from batdetect2.postprocess import ClipDetections
@@ -405,6 +638,20 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         audio: np.ndarray,
         detection_threshold: float | None = None,
     ) -> list[Detection]:
+        """Run inference on a waveform array.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        audio : np.ndarray
+            Audio waveform.
+        detection_threshold : float | None, optional
+            Detection score threshold override.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list[Detection]
+            Detected calls.
+        """
         spec = self.generate_spectrogram(audio)
         return self.process_spectrogram(
             spec,
@@ -417,6 +664,27 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         start_time: float = 0,
         detection_threshold: float | None = None,
     ) -> list[Detection]:
+        """Run inference on one spectrogram tensor.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        spec : torch.Tensor
+            Spectrogram tensor for one recording or clip.
+        start_time : float, optional
+            Start time in seconds used when creating detections.
+        detection_threshold : float | None, optional
+            Detection score threshold override.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list[Detection]
+            Detected calls.
+
+        Raises
+        ------
+        ValueError
+            If a batched spectrogram with more than one item is provided.
+        """
         if spec.ndim == 4 and spec.shape[0] > 1:
             raise ValueError("Batched spectrograms not supported.")
 
@@ -439,6 +707,7 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         audio_dir: data.PathLike,
         detection_threshold: float | None = None,
     ) -> list[ClipDetections]:
+        """Run inference on all supported audio files in a directory."""
         from soundevent.audio.files import get_audio_files
 
         files = list(get_audio_files(audio_dir))
@@ -457,6 +726,30 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         output_config: OutputsConfig | None = None,
         detection_threshold: float | None = None,
     ) -> list[ClipDetections]:
+        """Run inference on multiple audio files.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        audio_files : Sequence[data.PathLike]
+            Audio file paths.
+        batch_size : int | None, optional
+            Batch size override.
+        num_workers : int, optional
+            Number of worker processes for audio loading.
+        audio_config : AudioConfig | None, optional
+            Audio config override.
+        inference_config : InferenceConfig | None, optional
+            Inference config override.
+        output_config : OutputsConfig | None, optional
+            Output config override.
+        detection_threshold : float | None, optional
+            Detection score threshold override.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list[ClipDetections]
+            Predictions for each input file.
+        """
         from batdetect2.inference import process_file_list
 
         return process_file_list(
@@ -485,6 +778,30 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         output_config: OutputsConfig | None = None,
         detection_threshold: float | None = None,
     ) -> list[ClipDetections]:
+        """Run inference on multiple clip objects.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        clips : Sequence[data.Clip]
+            Clips to process.
+        batch_size : int | None, optional
+            Batch size override.
+        num_workers : int, optional
+            Number of worker processes for audio loading.
+        audio_config : AudioConfig | None, optional
+            Audio config override.
+        inference_config : InferenceConfig | None, optional
+            Inference config override.
+        output_config : OutputsConfig | None, optional
+            Output config override.
+        detection_threshold : float | None, optional
+            Detection score threshold override.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list[ClipDetections]
+            Predictions for each input clip.
+        """
         from batdetect2.inference import run_batch_inference
 
         return run_batch_inference(
@@ -511,6 +828,21 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         format: str | None = None,
         config: OutputFormatConfig | None = None,
     ):
+        """Save predictions to disk in one of the supported output formats.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        predictions : Sequence[ClipDetections]
+            Predictions to save.
+        path : data.PathLike
+            Output file or directory path, depending on the selected format.
+        audio_dir : data.PathLike | None, optional
+            Audio root directory used when writing relative paths.
+        format : str | None, optional
+            Output format name override.
+        config : OutputFormatConfig | None, optional
+            Output format config override.
+        """
         from batdetect2.outputs import get_output_formatter
 
         formatter = self.formatter
@@ -532,6 +864,22 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         format: str | None = None,
         config: OutputFormatConfig | None = None,
     ) -> list[object]:
+        """Load predictions from disk.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        path : data.PathLike
+            Path to a saved prediction file or directory.
+        format : str | None, optional
+            Output format name override.
+        config : OutputFormatConfig | None, optional
+            Output format config override.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list[object]
+            Loaded prediction objects returned by the selected formatter.
+        """
         from batdetect2.outputs import get_output_formatter
 
         formatter = self.formatter
@@ -558,6 +906,36 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         outputs_config: OutputsConfig | None = None,
         logging_config: AppLoggingConfig | None = None,
     ) -> "BatDetect2API":
+        """Build an API instance from config objects.
+
+        Use this when you want to create a new model stack without loading a
+        saved checkpoint.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        model_config : ModelConfig | None, optional
+            Model config. If omitted, the default model config is used.
+        targets_config : TargetConfig | None, optional
+            Target config. If omitted, the default target config is used.
+        audio_config : AudioConfig | None, optional
+            Audio config. If omitted, the default audio config is used.
+        train_config : TrainingConfig | None, optional
+            Training config. If omitted, the default training config is used.
+        evaluation_config : EvaluationConfig | None, optional
+            Evaluation config. If omitted, the default evaluation config is
+            used.
+        inference_config : InferenceConfig | None, optional
+            Inference config. If omitted, the default inference config is used.
+        outputs_config : OutputsConfig | None, optional
+            Output config. If omitted, the default outputs config is used.
+        logging_config : AppLoggingConfig | None, optional
+            Logging config. If omitted, the default logging config is used.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        BatDetect2API
+            Configured API instance.
+        """
         from batdetect2.audio import AudioConfig, build_audio_loader
         from batdetect2.evaluate import EvaluationConfig, build_evaluator
         from batdetect2.inference import InferenceConfig
@@ -664,6 +1042,31 @@ class BatDetect2API:
         outputs_config: OutputsConfig | None = None,
         logging_config: AppLoggingConfig | None = None,
     ) -> "BatDetect2API":
+        """Build an API instance from a saved checkpoint.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        path : data.PathLike | str | None, optional
+            Checkpoint path, bundled checkpoint alias, or Hugging Face URI.
+            If omitted, the default bundled checkpoint is used.
+        audio_config : AudioConfig | None, optional
+            Audio config override.
+        train_config : TrainingConfig | None, optional
+            Training config override.
+        evaluation_config : EvaluationConfig | None, optional
+            Evaluation config override.
+        inference_config : InferenceConfig | None, optional
+            Inference config override.
+        outputs_config : OutputsConfig | None, optional
+            Output config override.
+        logging_config : AppLoggingConfig | None, optional
+            Logging config override.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        BatDetect2API
+            Configured API instance.
+        """
         from batdetect2.audio import AudioConfig, build_audio_loader
         from batdetect2.evaluate import EvaluationConfig, build_evaluator
         from batdetect2.inference import InferenceConfig
diff --git a/src/batdetect2/cli/base.py b/src/batdetect2/cli/base.py
index 7de2c09..ee99afb 100644
--- a/src/batdetect2/cli/base.py
+++ b/src/batdetect2/cli/base.py
@@ -8,10 +8,11 @@ __all__ = [
 
 
 INFO_STR = """
-BatDetect2 - Detection and Classification
-    Assumes audio files are mono, not stereo.
-    Spaces in the input paths will throw an error. Wrap in quotes.
-    Input files should be short in duration e.g. < 30 seconds.
+BatDetect2
+    Input audio should be mono.
+    Wrap paths that contain spaces in quotes.
+    For long recordings, split audio into shorter files before running
+    prediction.
 """
 
 
@@ -25,8 +26,8 @@ BatDetect2 - Detection and Classification
 def cli(verbose: int = 0):
     """Run the BatDetect2 CLI.
 
-    This command initializes logging and exposes subcommands for prediction,
-    training, evaluation, and dataset utilities.
+    Use subcommands to run prediction, training, evaluation, and dataset
+    utilities.
     """
     click.echo(INFO_STR)
 
diff --git a/src/batdetect2/cli/evaluate.py b/src/batdetect2/cli/evaluate.py
index f35fed6..9007521 100644
--- a/src/batdetect2/cli/evaluate.py
+++ b/src/batdetect2/cli/evaluate.py
@@ -17,27 +17,27 @@ DEFAULT_OUTPUT_DIR = Path("outputs") / "evaluation"
 @click.option(
     "--audio-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to audio config file.",
+    help="Path to an audio config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--evaluation-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to evaluation config file.",
+    help="Path to an evaluation config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--inference-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to inference config file.",
+    help="Path to an inference config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--outputs-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to outputs config file.",
+    help="Path to an outputs config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--logging-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to logging config file.",
+    help="Path to a logging config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--base-dir",
@@ -87,10 +87,10 @@ def evaluate_command(
     experiment_name: str | None = None,
     run_name: str | None = None,
 ):
-    """Evaluate a checkpoint against a test dataset.
+    """Evaluate a checkpoint on a labelled test dataset.
 
-    Loads model and optional override configs, runs evaluation on
-    `test_dataset`, and writes metrics/artifacts to `output_dir`.
+    This command loads a checkpoint, runs evaluation on ``test_dataset``, and
+    writes metrics to ``output_dir``.
     """
     from batdetect2.api_v2 import BatDetect2API
     from batdetect2.audio import AudioConfig
diff --git a/src/batdetect2/cli/finetune.py b/src/batdetect2/cli/finetune.py
index 7521274..33b1c8b 100644
--- a/src/batdetect2/cli/finetune.py
+++ b/src/batdetect2/cli/finetune.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import click
 from loguru import logger
 
 from batdetect2.cli.base import cli
-from batdetect2.train.checkpoints import DEFAULT_BUNDLED_CHECKPOINT
+from batdetect2.train.checkpoints import DEFAULT_CHECKPOINT
 
 __all__ = ["finetune_command"]
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ __all__ = ["finetune_command"]
     help=(
         "Path to a checkpoint, bundled checkpoint alias, or a Hugging Face "
         "URI to fine-tune from. Defaults to "
-        f"'{DEFAULT_BUNDLED_CHECKPOINT}'."
+        f"'{DEFAULT_CHECKPOINT}'."
     ),
 )
 @click.option(
@@ -47,24 +47,24 @@ __all__ = ["finetune_command"]
 @click.option(
     "--training-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to training config file.",
+    help="Path to a training config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--audio-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to audio config file.",
+    help="Path to an audio config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--logging-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to logging config file.",
+    help="Path to a logging config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--trainable",
     type=click.Choice(["all", "heads", "classifier_head", "bbox_head"]),
     default="heads",
     show_default=True,
-    help="Which model parameters remain trainable during fine-tuning.",
+    help="Which model parameters stay trainable during fine-tuning.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--ckpt-dir",
@@ -127,7 +127,11 @@ def finetune_command(
     experiment_name: str | None = None,
     run_name: str | None = None,
 ):
-    """Fine-tune a BatDetect2 checkpoint on a new target definition."""
+    """Fine-tune a checkpoint on a new target definition.
+
+    Use this command when you want to adapt an existing model to a new class
+    list or ROI mapping.
+    """
     from batdetect2.api_v2 import BatDetect2API
     from batdetect2.audio import AudioConfig
     from batdetect2.data import load_dataset, load_dataset_config
diff --git a/src/batdetect2/cli/inference.py b/src/batdetect2/cli/inference.py
index edec826..41f6622 100644
--- a/src/batdetect2/cli/inference.py
+++ b/src/batdetect2/cli/inference.py
@@ -18,22 +18,21 @@ __all__ = ["predict"]
 
 @cli.group(name="predict", short_help="Run prediction workflows.")
 def predict() -> None:
-    """Run model inference on audio files.
+    """Run model inference on audio.
 
-    Use one of the subcommands to select inputs from a directory, a text file
-    list, or an annotation dataset.
+    Choose a subcommand based on how you want to provide input audio.
     """
 
 
 def common_predict_options(func):
-    """Attach options shared by all `predict` subcommands."""
+    """Attach options shared by all ``predict`` subcommands."""
 
     @click.option(
         "--audio-config",
         type=click.Path(exists=True),
         help=(
             "Path to an audio config file. Use this to override audio "
-            "loading and preprocessing-related settings."
+            "loading settings."
         ),
     )
     @click.option(
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ def common_predict_options(func):
         type=click.Path(exists=True),
         help=(
             "Path to an inference config file. Use this to override "
-            "prediction-time thresholds and behavior."
+            "prediction settings."
         ),
     )
     @click.option(
@@ -49,23 +48,19 @@ def common_predict_options(func):
         type=click.Path(exists=True),
         help=(
             "Path to an outputs config file. Use this to control the "
-            "prediction fields written to disk."
+            "saved output format and fields."
         ),
     )
     @click.option(
         "--logging-config",
         type=click.Path(exists=True),
-        help=(
-            "Path to a logging config file. Use this to customize logging "
-            "format and levels."
-        ),
+        help=("Path to a logging config file. Use this to change log output."),
     )
     @click.option(
         "--batch-size",
         type=int,
         help=(
-            "Batch size for inference. If omitted, the value from the "
-            "loaded config is used."
+            "Batch size for inference. If omitted, the config value is used."
         ),
     )
     @click.option(
@@ -82,7 +77,7 @@ def common_predict_options(func):
         type=str,
         help=(
             "Output format name used by the prediction writer. If omitted, "
-            "the default output format is used."
+            "the config default is used."
         ),
     )
     @click.option(
@@ -91,7 +86,7 @@ def common_predict_options(func):
         default=None,
         help=(
             "Optional detection score threshold override. If omitted, "
-            "the model default threshold is used."
+            "the configured threshold is used."
         ),
     )
     @wraps(func)
@@ -212,10 +207,10 @@ def predict_directory_command(
     format_name: str | None,
     detection_threshold: float | None,
 ) -> None:
-    """Predict on all audio files in a directory.
+    """Run prediction on all supported audio files in a directory.
 
-    Loads a checkpoint, scans `audio_dir` for supported audio files, runs
-    inference, and saves predictions to `output_path`.
+    This command scans ``audio_dir`` for audio files, runs prediction, and
+    saves the results to ``output_path``.
     """
     from soundevent.audio.files import get_audio_files
 
@@ -256,9 +251,9 @@ def predict_file_list_command(
     format_name: str | None,
     detection_threshold: float | None,
 ) -> None:
-    """Predict on audio files listed in a text file.
+    """Run prediction on audio files listed in a text file.
 
-    The list file should contain one audio path per line. Empty lines are
+    The text file should contain one audio path per line. Empty lines are
     ignored.
     """
     file_list = Path(file_list)
@@ -304,10 +299,10 @@ def predict_dataset_command(
     format_name: str | None,
     detection_threshold: float | None,
 ) -> None:
-    """Predict on recordings referenced in an annotation dataset.
+    """Run prediction on recordings referenced in a dataset file.
 
-    The dataset is read as a soundevent annotation set and unique recording
-    paths are extracted before inference.
+    Recording paths are read from the dataset and each recording is processed
+    once.
     """
     from soundevent import io
 
diff --git a/src/batdetect2/cli/train.py b/src/batdetect2/cli/train.py
index 0849382..c577512 100644
--- a/src/batdetect2/cli/train.py
+++ b/src/batdetect2/cli/train.py
@@ -13,15 +13,15 @@ __all__ = ["train_command"]
 @click.option(
     "--val-dataset",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to validation dataset config file.",
+    help="Path to a validation dataset config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--model",
     "model_path",
     type=str,
     help=(
-        "Path to a checkpoint or a Hugging Face URI to continue training "
-        "from. If omitted, training starts from a fresh model config."
+        "Path to a checkpoint, bundled checkpoint alias, or Hugging Face "
+        "URI. If omitted, training starts from a fresh model config."
     ),
 )
 @click.option(
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ __all__ = ["train_command"]
     "--targets",
     "targets_config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to targets config file.",
+    help="Path to a targets config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--model-config",
@@ -46,32 +46,32 @@ __all__ = ["train_command"]
 @click.option(
     "--training-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to training config file.",
+    help="Path to a training config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--audio-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to audio config file.",
+    help="Path to an audio config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--evaluation-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to evaluation config file.",
+    help="Path to an evaluation config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--inference-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to inference config file.",
+    help="Path to an inference config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--outputs-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to outputs config file.",
+    help="Path to an outputs config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--logging-config",
     type=click.Path(exists=True),
-    help="Path to logging config file.",
+    help="Path to a logging config file.",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--ckpt-dir",
@@ -139,9 +139,8 @@ def train_command(
 ):
     """Train a BatDetect2 model.
 
-    Train either from a fresh config (`--model-config`) or by fine-tuning an
-    existing checkpoint (`--model`). Training data are loaded from
-    `train_dataset`, with optional validation data from `--val-dataset`.
+    Start from a fresh model config or continue from an existing checkpoint.
+    Training data are loaded from ``train_dataset``.
     """
     from batdetect2.api_v2 import BatDetect2API
     from batdetect2.audio import AudioConfig