diff --git a/cli/recipe/release.go b/cli/recipe/release.go
index d9e36396..a1a1a608 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/release.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/release.go
@@ -78,6 +78,27 @@ var recipeReleaseCommand = &cli.Command{
 	Usage:     "tag a recipe",
 	Aliases:   []string{"rl"},
 	ArgsUsage: "<recipe> [<tag>]",
+	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
+recipe catalogue.
+
+These tags take the following form:
+
+    a.b.c+x.y.z
+
+Where the "a.b.c" part is maintained as a semantic version of the recipe by the
+recipe maintainer. And the "x.y.z" part is the image tag of the recipe "app"
+service (the main container which contains the software to be used).
+
+We maintain a semantic versioning scheme ("a.b.c") alongside the libre app
+versioning scheme in order to maximise the chances that the nature of recipe
+updates are properly communicated.
+
+Abra does its best to read the "a.b.c" version scheme and communicate what
+action needs to be taken when performing different operations such as an update
+or a rollback of an app.
+`,
 	Flags: []cli.Flag{
 		DryFlag,
 		PatchFlag,