diff --git a/cli/recipe/release.go b/cli/recipe/release.go
index 563f0443e..b422f4cba 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/release.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/release.go
@@ -65,9 +65,9 @@ var TagMessageFlag = &cli.StringFlag{
 
 var recipeReleaseCommand = &cli.Command{
 	Name:      "release",
-	Usage:     "tag a recipe",
+	Usage:     "Release a new recipe version",
 	Aliases:   []string{"rl"},
-	ArgsUsage: "<recipe> [<tag>]",
+	ArgsUsage: "<recipe> [<version>]",
 	Description: `
 This command is used to specify a new tag for a recipe. These tags are used to
 identify different versions of the recipe and are published on the Co-op Cloud
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ You may invoke this command in "wizard" mode and be prompted for input:
 		}
 
 		if (!Major && !Minor && !Patch) && tagString != "" {
-			logrus.Fatal("please specify <tag> or bump type (--major/--minor/--patch)")
+			logrus.Fatal("please specify <version> or bump type (--major/--minor/--patch)")
 		}
 
 		if (Major || Minor || Patch) && tagString != "" {
diff --git a/cli/recipe/sync.go b/cli/recipe/sync.go
index a0c98ec6d..d1e237ab0 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/sync.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/sync.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var recipeSyncCommand = &cli.Command{
 	Name:      "sync",
 	Usage:     "Ensure recipe version labels are up-to-date",
 	Aliases:   []string{"s"},
-	ArgsUsage: "<recipe> <version>",
+	ArgsUsage: "<recipe> [<version>]",
 	Description: `
 This command will generate labels for the main recipe service (i.e. by
 convention, typically the service named "app") which corresponds to the