diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/add.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/add.rs
index e7e12d7a5..5713249eb 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/add.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/add.rs
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ impl Command for BytesAdd {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally matches prefix of text by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, add bytes to the data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Bytes)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/at.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/at.rs
index 53b453416..c90672d63 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/at.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/at.rs
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ impl Command for BytesAt {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally get bytes by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, get bytes from data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Bytes)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/ends_with.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/ends_with.rs
index 0b41d2e62..9ba8bef4b 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/ends_with.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/ends_with.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ impl Command for BytesEndsWith {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally matches prefix of text by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, check if bytes at the given cell paths end with the pattern",
             )
             .category(Category::Bytes)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/index_of.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/index_of.rs
index 084d755c5..4b922cb44 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/index_of.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/index_of.rs
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ impl Command for BytesIndexOf {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally returns index of pattern in string by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, find the indexes at the given cell paths",
             )
             .switch("all", "returns all matched index", Some('a'))
             .switch("end", "search from the end of the binary", Some('e'))
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/length.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/length.rs
index 3823cbe3b..618e0baf5 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/length.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/length.rs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ impl Command for BytesLen {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally find length of binary by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, find the length of data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Bytes)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/remove.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/remove.rs
index e9106615e..335fb0777 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/remove.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/remove.rs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ impl Command for BytesRemove {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally remove bytes by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, remove bytes from data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .switch("end", "remove from end of binary", Some('e'))
             .switch("all", "remove occurrences of finding binary", Some('a'))
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/replace.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/replace.rs
index 124d018b4..447345fe0 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/replace.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/replace.rs
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ impl Command for BytesReplace {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally find and replace text by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, replace bytes in data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .switch("all", "replace all occurrences of find binary", Some('a'))
             .category(Category::Bytes)
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/reverse.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/reverse.rs
index 54b945d6f..b51ef7225 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/reverse.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/reverse.rs
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@ impl Command for BytesReverse {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally matches prefix of text by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, reverse data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Bytes)
     }
 
     fn usage(&self) -> &str {
-        "Reverse every bytes in the pipeline"
+        "Reverse the bytes in the pipeline"
     }
 
     fn search_terms(&self) -> Vec<&str> {
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/starts_with.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/starts_with.rs
index 4242c22f7..43d30f87e 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/starts_with.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/bytes/starts_with.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ impl Command for BytesStartsWith {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally matches prefix of text by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, check if bytes at the given cell paths start with the pattern",
             )
             .category(Category::Bytes)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/binary.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/binary.rs
index 884d5f221..188d30e57 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/binary.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/binary.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "column paths to convert to binary (for table input)",
+                "for a data structure input, convert data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Conversions)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/bool.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/bool.rs
index b0af12143..fee0dc24a 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/bool.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/bool.rs
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "column paths to convert to boolean (for table input)",
+                "for a data structure input, convert data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Conversions)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/datetime.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/datetime.rs
index 9650469ee..01e238f91 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/datetime.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/datetime.rs
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
             "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally convert text into datetime by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, convert data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Conversions)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/decimal.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/decimal.rs
index 95f240f46..207167ca8 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/decimal.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/decimal.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally convert text into decimal by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, convert data at the given cell paths",
             )
     }
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/duration.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/duration.rs
index 9257d796f..c32e453e0 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/duration.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/duration.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "column paths to convert to duration (for table input)",
+                "for a data structure input, convert data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Conversions)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/filesize.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/filesize.rs
index 545d3e342..70f5f4f22 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/filesize.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/filesize.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "column paths to convert to filesize (for table input)",
+                "for a data structure input, convert data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Conversions)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/int.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/int.rs
index 2cec85cc5..4b532a8af 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/int.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/int.rs
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "column paths to convert to int (for table input)",
+                "for a data structure input, convert data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Conversions)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/string.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/string.rs
index 41d0d02de..3216b8933 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/string.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/conversions/into/string.rs
@@ -42,11 +42,10 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
                 (Type::Date, Type::String),
             ])
             .allow_variants_without_examples(true) // https://github.com/nushell/nushell/issues/7032
-            // FIXME - need to support column paths
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "column paths to convert to string (for table input)",
+                "for a data structure input, convert data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .named(
                 "decimals",
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/input_handler.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/input_handler.rs
index 0cee3890e..342c00bf6 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/input_handler.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/input_handler.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ impl From<Vec<CellPath>> for CellPathOnlyArgs {
 ///
 /// In detail, for each elements, invoking relative `cmd` with `arg`.
 ///
-/// If `arg` tell us that it's column path is not None, only map over data under these columns.
+/// If `arg` tell us that its cell path is not None, only map over data under these columns.
 /// Else it will apply each column inside a table.
 ///
 /// The validation of input element should be handle by `cmd` itself.
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/misc/tutor.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/misc/tutor.rs
index d2d952494..2db272d2f 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/misc/tutor.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/misc/tutor.rs
@@ -313,9 +313,9 @@ tutor each
 
 fn each_tutor() -> &'static str {
     r#"
-The `each` command gives us a way of working with each individual row or
-element of a list one at a time. It reads these in from the pipeline and
-runs a block on each element. A block is a group of pipelines.
+The `each` command gives us a way of working with the individual elements
+(sometimes called 'rows') of a list one at a time. It reads these in from
+the pipeline and runs a block on each one. A block is a group of pipelines.
 ```
 echo 1 2 3 | each { |it| $it + 10}
 ```
@@ -375,9 +375,9 @@ second block if the expression is false.
 
 fn shorthand_tutor() -> &'static str {
     r#"
-You can access cells in a table using a shorthand notation sometimes called a
-"column path" or "cell path". These paths allow you to go from a table to
-rows, columns, or cells inside of the table.
+You can access data in a structure via a shorthand notation called a "cell path",
+sometimes called a "column path". These paths allow you to go from a structure to
+rows, columns, or cells inside of the structure.
 
 Shorthand paths are made from rows numbers, column names, or both. You can use
 them on any variable or subexpression.
@@ -392,8 +392,8 @@ the shorthand path to retrieve only the cell data inside the "PWD" column.
 This will retrieve the cell data in the "name" column on the 5th row (note:
 row numbers are zero-based).
 
-Rows and columns don't need to come in any specific order. You can get the
-same value using:
+For tables, rows and columns don't need to come in any specific order. You can
+produce the same value using:
 ```
 (ls).4.name
 ```
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/path/basename.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/path/basename.rs
index bab776af6..222319de1 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/path/basename.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/path/basename.rs
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .named(
                 "columns",
                 SyntaxShape::Table,
-                "Optionally operate by column path",
+                "For a record or table input, convert strings in the given columns to their basename",
                 Some('c'),
             )
             .named(
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/path/dirname.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/path/dirname.rs
index 6fbd170e6..48a762178 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/path/dirname.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/path/dirname.rs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .named(
                 "columns",
                 SyntaxShape::Table,
-                "Optionally operate by column path",
+                "For a record or table input, convert strings at the given columns to their dirname",
                 Some('c'),
             )
             .named(
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/path/exists.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/path/exists.rs
index 29d57f699..78740ed41 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/path/exists.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/path/exists.rs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .named(
                 "columns",
                 SyntaxShape::Table,
-                "Optionally operate by column path",
+                "For a record or table input, check strings at the given columns, and replace with result",
                 Some('c'),
             )
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/path/expand.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/path/expand.rs
index cece7a4d3..1423c40aa 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/path/expand.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/path/expand.rs
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .named(
                 "columns",
                 SyntaxShape::Table,
-                "Optionally operate by column path",
+                "For a record or table input, expand strings at the given columns",
                 Some('c'),
             )
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/path/join.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/path/join.rs
index 2625f4a27..51cade4c1 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/path/join.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/path/join.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .named(
                 "columns",
                 SyntaxShape::Table,
-                "Optionally operate by column path",
+                "For a record or table input, join strings at the given columns",
                 Some('c'),
             )
             .rest("append", SyntaxShape::String, "Path to append to the input")
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/path/parse.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/path/parse.rs
index 97aa6af5d..a2217c71e 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/path/parse.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/path/parse.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .named(
                 "columns",
                 SyntaxShape::Table,
-                "Optionally operate by column path",
+                "For a record or table input, convert strings at the given columns",
                 Some('c'),
             )
             .named(
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/path/relative_to.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/path/relative_to.rs
index b40b61f2e..716be7358 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/path/relative_to.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/path/relative_to.rs
@@ -38,13 +38,13 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .named(
                 "columns",
                 SyntaxShape::Table,
-                "Optionally operate by column path",
+                "For a record or table input, convert strings at the given columns",
                 Some('c'),
             )
     }
 
     fn usage(&self) -> &str {
-        "Get a path as relative to another path."
+        "Express a path as relative to another path."
     }
 
     fn extra_usage(&self) -> &str {
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/path/split.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/path/split.rs
index cefb0f4d7..95bbee2c0 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/path/split.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/path/split.rs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .named(
                 "columns",
                 SyntaxShape::Table,
-                "Optionally operate by column path",
+                "For a record or table input, split strings at the given columns",
                 Some('c'),
             )
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/path/type.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/path/type.rs
index d14252567..959d814bb 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/path/type.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/path/type.rs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .named(
                 "columns",
                 SyntaxShape::Table,
-                "Optionally operate by column path",
+                "For a record or table input, check strings at the given columns, and replace with result",
                 Some('c'),
             )
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/platform/ansi/gradient.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/platform/ansi/gradient.rs
index 5749b25dd..76b99dfeb 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/platform/ansi/gradient.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/platform/ansi/gradient.rs
@@ -39,15 +39,15 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
                 Some('d'),
             )
             .rest(
-                "column path",
+                "cell path",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally, draw gradients using text from column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, add a gradient to strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Platform)
     }
 
     fn usage(&self) -> &str {
-        "Draw text with a provided start and end code making a gradient"
+        "Add a color gradient (using ANSI color codes) to the given string"
     }
 
     fn run(
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/platform/ansi/strip.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/platform/ansi/strip.rs
index e18f4fe83..9f903f855 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/platform/ansi/strip.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/platform/ansi/strip.rs
@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
         Signature::build("ansi strip")
             .input_output_types(vec![(Type::String, Type::String)])
             .rest(
-                "column path",
+                "cell path",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally, remove ANSI sequences by column paths",
+                "for a data structure input, remove ANSI sequences from strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Platform)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/encode_decode/decode_base64.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/encode_decode/decode_base64.rs
index d92989b14..b587fd966 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/encode_decode/decode_base64.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/encode_decode/decode_base64.rs
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ impl Command for DecodeBase64 {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally base64 decode data by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, decode data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Hash)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/encode_decode/encode_base64.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/encode_decode/encode_base64.rs
index 44474ca93..27cf6879a 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/encode_decode/encode_base64.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/encode_decode/encode_base64.rs
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ impl Command for EncodeBase64 {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally base64 encode data by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, encode data at the given cell paths",
             )
             .output_type(Type::String)
             .category(Category::Hash)
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/format/filesize.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/format/filesize.rs
index 71e52e6a4..61c540a9e 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/format/filesize.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/format/filesize.rs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ impl Command for FileSize {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "Optionally find and replace text by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, format filesizes at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/camel_case.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/camel_case.rs
index 217f5b17f..b1164feca 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/camel_case.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/camel_case.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally convert text to camelCase by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, convert strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/capitalize.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/capitalize.rs
index d0506bfe8..c1f9be4a9 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/capitalize.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/capitalize.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally capitalize text by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, convert strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/downcase.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/downcase.rs
index 6307baa34..cccda167b 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/downcase.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/downcase.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally downcase text by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, convert strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/kebab_case.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/kebab_case.rs
index 83d96aa0b..70a59c9db 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/kebab_case.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/kebab_case.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally convert text to kebab-case by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, convert strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/pascal_case.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/pascal_case.rs
index 9256927a8..9efc5e6f8 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/pascal_case.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/pascal_case.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally convert text to PascalCase by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, convert strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/screaming_snake_case.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/screaming_snake_case.rs
index 32b88ed3d..bab612b1c 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/screaming_snake_case.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/screaming_snake_case.rs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally convert text to SCREAMING_SNAKE_CASE by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, convert strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/snake_case.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/snake_case.rs
index 34f878178..ba837d119 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/snake_case.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/snake_case.rs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally convert text to snake_case by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, convert strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/title_case.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/title_case.rs
index 61ba3cdeb..cdeef65b4 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/title_case.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/title_case.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally convert text to Title Case by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, convert strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/upcase.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/upcase.rs
index 63b60c1f6..14faf289d 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/upcase.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/case/upcase.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally upcase text by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, convert strings at the given cell paths",
             )
     }
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/contains.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/contains.rs
index 1da80c5dd..b66d86d71 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/contains.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/contains.rs
@@ -31,11 +31,11 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
         Signature::build("str contains")
             .input_output_types(vec![(Type::String, Type::Bool)])
             .vectorizes_over_list(true)
-            .required("string", SyntaxShape::String, "the string to find")
+            .required("string", SyntaxShape::String, "the substring to find")
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally check if input contains string by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, check strings at the given cell paths, and replace with result",
             )
             .switch("insensitive", "search is case insensitive", Some('i'))
             .switch("not", "does not contain", Some('n'))
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
     }
 
     fn usage(&self) -> &str {
-        "Checks if input contains string"
+        "Checks if string input contains a substring"
     }
 
     fn search_terms(&self) -> Vec<&str> {
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/distance.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/distance.rs
index c9ec679db..a52a57d80 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/distance.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/distance.rs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally check if string contains pattern by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, check strings at the given cell paths, and replace with result",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/ends_with.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/ends_with.rs
index dedb3aae3..b17e1a356 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/ends_with.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/ends_with.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally matches suffix of text by cell paths",
+                "For a data structure input, check strings at the given cell paths, and replace with result",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/index_of.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/index_of.rs
index e10953fd1..bc633890c 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/index_of.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/index_of.rs
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally returns index of string in input by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, search strings at the given cell paths, and replace with result",
             )
             .named(
                 "range",
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/length.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/length.rs
index 22cc71539..c28177ebe 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/length.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/length.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally find length of text by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, replace strings at the given cell paths with their length",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/lpad.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/lpad.rs
index c22221e8e..2bad8fdad 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/lpad.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/lpad.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally check if string contains pattern by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, pad strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/replace.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/replace.rs
index 60edfe3ab..2dac73483 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/replace.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/replace.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally find and replace text by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, operate on strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .switch("all", "replace all occurrences of find string", Some('a'))
             .switch(
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/reverse.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/reverse.rs
index 8e8681dd1..d5e22024c 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/reverse.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/reverse.rs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally reverse text by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, reverse strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/rpad.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/rpad.rs
index b4b87c4f1..87cb9be68 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/rpad.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/rpad.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally check if string contains pattern by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, pad strings at the given cell paths",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/starts_with.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/starts_with.rs
index 375401163..56e1091b4 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/starts_with.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/starts_with.rs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally matches prefix of text by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, check strings at the given cell paths, and replace with result",
             )
             .category(Category::Strings)
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/substring.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/substring.rs
index 6eb738c7a..ab876e19e 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/substring.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/substring.rs
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
             .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally substring text by column paths",
+                "For a data structure input, turn strings at the given cell paths into substrings",
             )
     }
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/trim/trim_.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/trim/trim_.rs
index c38ed3cc0..7373a02d1 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/trim/trim_.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/strings/str_/trim/trim_.rs
@@ -44,8 +44,7 @@ impl Command for SubCommand {
         .rest(
                 "rest",
                 SyntaxShape::CellPath,
-                "optionally trim text by column paths",
-            )
+                "For a data structure input, trim strings at the given cell paths",            )
             .named(
                 "char",
                 SyntaxShape::String,
diff --git a/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/mod.rs b/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/mod.rs
index c9562cae8..c540f04a9 100644
--- a/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/mod.rs
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ impl Value {
         Value::Nothing { span }
     }
 
-    /// Follow a given column path into the value: for example accessing select elements in a stream or list
+    /// Follow a given cell path into the value: for example accessing select elements in a stream or list
     pub fn follow_cell_path(
         self,
         cell_path: &[PathMember],
@@ -750,7 +750,7 @@ impl Value {
         Ok(current)
     }
 
-    /// Follow a given column path into the value: for example accessing select elements in a stream or list
+    /// Follow a given cell path into the value: for example accessing select elements in a stream or list
     pub fn upsert_cell_path(
         &mut self,
         cell_path: &[PathMember],
@@ -863,7 +863,7 @@ impl Value {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    /// Follow a given column path into the value: for example accessing select elements in a stream or list
+    /// Follow a given cell path into the value: for example accessing select elements in a stream or list
     pub fn update_cell_path(
         &mut self,
         cell_path: &[PathMember],