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diff --git a/docs/source/usage/commands b/docs/source/usage/commands
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+.. _commands:
+
+Commands
+========
+
+:doc:`modes/global`
+    globally available commands
+:doc:`modes/search`
+    shows a result list of threads for a query
+:doc:`modes/thread`
+    displays a thread as a tree of messages
+:doc:`modes/envelope`
+    message composition mode
+:doc:`modes/bufferlist`
+    lists all active buffers
+:doc:`modes/taglist`
+    lists all tagstrings present in the notmuch database
+
+.. toctree::
+   :maxdepth: 2
+   :hidden:
+
+   modes/global
+   modes/search
+   modes/thread
+   modes/envelope
+   modes/bufferlist
+   modes/taglist
+
diff --git a/docs/source/usage/first_steps b/docs/source/usage/first_steps
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+The arrow keys, `page-up/down`, `j`, `k` and `Space` can be used to move the focus.
+`Escape` cancels prompts and `Enter` selects. Hit `:` at any time and type in commands
+to the prompt.
+
+The interface shows one buffer at a time, you can use `tab` and `Shift-Tab` to switch
+between them, close the current buffer with `d` and list them all with `;`.
+
+The buffer type or *mode* (displayed at the bottom left) determines which prompt commands
+are available. Usage information on any command can be listed by typing `help YOURCOMMAND`
+to the prompt; The key bindings for the current mode are listed upon pressing `?`.
diff --git a/docs/source/usage/synopsis b/docs/source/usage/synopsis
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+.. code-block:: none
+
+    alot [-r] [-c CONFIGFILE] [-n NOTMUCHCONFIGFILE] [-C {1,16,256}] [-p DB_PATH]
+         [-d {debug,info,warning,error}] [-l LOGFILE] [--version] [--help]
+         [command]
+
+Options
+
+    -r, --read-only                open db in read only mode
+    -c, --config=FILENAME          config file (default: ~/.config/alot/config)
+    -n, --notmuch-config=FILENAME  notmuch config (default: $NOTMUCH_CONFIG or ~/.notmuch-config)
+    -C, --colour-mode=COLOUR        terminal colour mode (default: 256). Must be 1, 16 or 256
+    -p, --mailindex-path=PATH      path to notmuch index
+    -d, --debug-level=LEVEL        debug log (default: info). Must be one of debug,info,warning or error
+    -l, --logfile=FILENAME         logfile (default: /dev/null)
+    --version                      Display version string and exit
+    --help                         Display  help and exit
+
+
+Commands
+
+    search
+        start in a search buffer using the querystring provided as
+        parameter. See the SEARCH SYNTAX section of notmuch(1).
+    compose
+        compose a new message