diff --git a/hledger/doc/commands.m4.md b/hledger/doc/commands.m4.md
index 1ca946e89..0feb7023e 100644
--- a/hledger/doc/commands.m4.md
+++ b/hledger/doc/commands.m4.md
@@ -235,6 +235,37 @@ Total:
 }})
 }})
 
+## help
+Show detailed help (the main hledger man pages).
+
+The long `--help` flag displays the hledger man page, as fixed-width text.
+The `help` command can display any of the main hledger man pages.
+Run `hledger help` with no arguments to see a list of topics.
+These correspond to the [man pages](/docs.html), shortened for easy typing.
+Run `hledger help TOPIC` to view that topic.
+You may wish to pipe the output into a pager for easier viewing.
+
+_col3_({{
+_shell_({{
+$ hledger help
+Please choose a topic, eg: hledger help ui
+Topics: cli, ui, web, api, journal, csv, timeclock, timedot
+}}),
+_shell_({{
+$ hledger help cli
+
+hledger(1)                   hledger User Manuals                   hledger(1)
+
+
+
+NAME
+       hledger - a command-line accounting tool
+
+SYNOPSIS
+...
+}})
+}})
+
 ## incomestatement
 Show an income statement. Alias: is.
 
diff --git a/hledger/doc/hledger.1 b/hledger/doc/hledger.1
index 6f18aec5c..92769c276 100644
--- a/hledger/doc/hledger.1
+++ b/hledger/doc/hledger.1
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ show general usage or (after command) command usage
 .RE
 .TP
 .B \f[C]\-\-help\f[]
-show detailed help
+show detailed help (man page)
 .RS
 .RE
 .TP
@@ -1297,6 +1297,35 @@ Total:
 \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ $\-1
 \f[]
 .fi
+.SS help
+.PP
+Show detailed help (the main hledger man pages).
+.PP
+The long \f[C]\-\-help\f[] flag displays the hledger man page, as
+fixed\-width text.
+The \f[C]help\f[] command can display any of the main hledger man pages.
+Run \f[C]hledger\ help\f[] with no arguments to see a list of topics.
+These correspond to the man pages, shortened for easy typing.
+Run \f[C]hledger\ help\ TOPIC\f[] to view that topic.
+You may wish to pipe the output into a pager for easier viewing.
+.PP
+\f[C]{.shell\ .clear}\ $\ hledger\ help\ Please\ choose\ a\ topic,\ eg:\ hledger\ help\ ui\ Topics:\ cli,\ ui,\ web,\ api,\ journal,\ csv,\ timeclock,\ timedot\f[],
+.IP
+.nf
+\f[C]
+$\ hledger\ help\ cli
+
+hledger(1)\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ hledger\ User\ Manuals\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ hledger(1)
+
+
+
+NAME
+\ \ \ \ \ \ \ hledger\ \-\ a\ command\-line\ accounting\ tool
+
+SYNOPSIS
+\&...
+\f[]
+.fi
 .SS incomestatement
 .PP
 Show an income statement.
diff --git a/hledger/doc/hledger.1.txt b/hledger/doc/hledger.1.txt
index 58a9cff29..dc41fb35f 100644
--- a/hledger/doc/hledger.1.txt
+++ b/hledger/doc/hledger.1.txt
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ OOPPTTIIOONNSS
 
        --hh     show general usage or (after command) command usage
 
-       ----hheellpp show detailed help
+       ----hheellpp show detailed help (man page)
 
        ----vveerrssiioonn
               show version information
@@ -939,6 +939,31 @@ CCOOMMMMAANNDDSS
               --------------------
                                $-1
 
+   hheellpp
+       Show detailed help (the main hledger man pages).
+
+       The long --help flag displays the  hledger  man  page,  as  fixed-width
+       text.   The help command can display any of the main hledger man pages.
+       Run hledger help with no arguments to see a list of topics.  These cor-
+       respond   to   the   man   pages,   shortened  for  easy  typing.   Run
+       hledger help TOPIC to view that topic.  You may wish to pipe the output
+       into a pager for easier viewing.
+
+       {.shell .clear} $ hledger help Please choose a topic, eg: hledger help ui Top-
+       ics: cli, ui, web, api, journal, csv, timeclock, timedot,
+
+              $ hledger help cli
+
+              hledger(1)                   hledger User Manuals                   hledger(1)
+
+
+
+              NAME
+                     hledger - a command-line accounting tool
+
+              SYNOPSIS
+              ...
+
    iinnccoommeessttaatteemmeenntt
        Show an income statement.  Alias: is.
 
diff --git a/hledger/doc/options.m4.md b/hledger/doc/options.m4.md
index 21c2b7184..a44a96dd3 100644
--- a/hledger/doc/options.m4.md
+++ b/hledger/doc/options.m4.md
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ General options are always available and can appear anywhere in the command line
 : show general usage or (after command) command usage
 
 `--help`
-: show detailed help
+: show detailed help (man page)
 
 `--version`
 : show version information