---
id: commands/help
title: Help command
summary: Move from compact lookup help to detailed command help without leaving the binary.
section: commands
see_also:
- intro
- commands/docs
- commands/overview
- commands/skill
---
# Help command
`wavepeek` uses progressive disclosure: start with a compact reminder, then ask for more detail only when you need it.
## Help layers
Use `wavepeek -h` for compact top-level lookup help. This layer is intentionally short and points you to the deeper layers.
Use `wavepeek --help` for detailed top-level reference help. This layer explains general conventions and lists the available command families.
Use `wavepeek help <command-path...>` for detailed help on a specific command or nested command. For example:
wavepeek help change
wavepeek help docs show
wavepeek help skill
You can also ask a command directly for detailed help with `wavepeek <command> --help` or `wavepeek <command-path...> --help`.
## Where narrative docs fit
Generated help is the authority for exact syntax, flags, defaults, and required arguments. Use `wavepeek docs` when you need narrative guidance, workflows, troubleshooting, or stable semantic reference topics.
Use `wavepeek skill` when you need the packaged agent skill Markdown from the installed build.