diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 703c69ede..48ac6f03c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -73,22 +73,27 @@ jobs:
         run: npm ci && npm run build:gha
         working-directory: rdme-repo
 
-      - name: Run `openapi:validate` command
+      - name: Run `openapi validate` command
+        uses: ./rdme-repo/
+        with:
+          rdme: openapi validate oas-examples-repo/3.1/json/petstore.json
+
+      - name: Run `openapi validate` command (legacy topic separator)
         uses: ./rdme-repo/
         with:
           rdme: openapi:validate oas-examples-repo/3.1/json/petstore.json
 
-      - name: Run `openapi:validate` with filename in quotes
+      - name: Run `openapi validate` with filename in quotes
         uses: ./rdme-repo/
         with:
-          rdme: openapi:validate "oas-examples-repo/3.1/json/petstore.json"
+          rdme: openapi validate "oas-examples-repo/3.1/json/petstore.json"
 
-      - name: Run `openapi:validate` on an invalid file
+      - name: Run `openapi validate` on an invalid file
         uses: ./rdme-repo/
         id: openapi-validate-fail
         continue-on-error: true
         with:
-          rdme: openapi:validate rdme-repo/__tests__/__fixtures__/invalid-oas.json
+          rdme: openapi validate rdme-repo/__tests__/__fixtures__/invalid-oas.json
 
       - name: Assert that previous validation step failed
         if: ${{ steps.openapi-validate-fail.outcome == 'failure' }}
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index e828a3f99..6c9acb5cf 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ To run test commands, swap out `rdme` for `bin/dev.js`. For example:
 
 ```sh
 # if the production command you're testing looks like this...
-rdme openapi:validate __tests__/__fixtures__/ref-oas/petstore.json
+rdme openapi validate __tests__/__fixtures__/ref-oas/petstore.json
 
 # ... your local test command will look like this:
-bin/dev.js openapi:validate __tests__/__fixtures__/ref-oas/petstore.json
+bin/dev.js openapi validate __tests__/__fixtures__/ref-oas/petstore.json
 ```
 
 The `bin/dev.js` file has a few features that are useful for local development:
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ The `bin/dev.js` file has a few features that are useful for local development:
 
 ```sh
 npm run build
-bin/run.js openapi:validate __tests__/__fixtures__/ref-oas/petstore.json
+bin/run.js openapi validate __tests__/__fixtures__/ref-oas/petstore.json
 ```
 
 Your changes to the command code may make changes to [the command reference documents](./documentation/commands) — it is up to you whether you include those changes in your PR or if you let the release process take care of it. More information on that can be found in [`MAINTAINERS.md`](./MAINTAINERS.md).
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b7c93034d..08236b4dd 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ npm install rdme --save-dev
 Once installed in your project, you can use the `npx` prefix (which is included if you have `npm` installed) to run your CLI commands locally. For example:
 
 ```sh
-npx rdme openapi:validate [file]
+npx rdme openapi validate [file]
 ```
 
 To ensure you're getting the latest features and security updates, we recommend using a tool like [Dependabot](https://docs.github.com/code-security/dependabot/dependabot-version-updates/about-dependabot-version-updates) to keep `rdme` (and your other dependencies) up-to-date.
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/categories/create.test.ts b/__tests__/commands/categories/create.test.ts
index 3c692aadb..540d89df4 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/categories/create.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/commands/categories/create.test.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { runCommandAndReturnResult } from '../../helpers/oclif.js';
 const key = 'API_KEY';
 const version = '1.0.0';
 
-describe('rdme categories:create', () => {
+describe('rdme categories create', () => {
   let run: (args?: string[]) => Promise<string>;
 
   beforeAll(() => {
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/docs/prune.test.ts b/__tests__/commands/docs/prune.test.ts
index 1211098fc..88b4f0b3d 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/docs/prune.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/commands/docs/prune.test.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ const fixturesBaseDir = '__fixtures__/docs';
 const key = 'API_KEY';
 const version = '1.0.0';
 
-describe('rdme docs:prune', () => {
+describe('rdme docs prune', () => {
   const folder = `./__tests__/${fixturesBaseDir}/delete-docs`;
   let run: (args?: string[]) => Promise<string>;
 
@@ -162,10 +162,10 @@ describe('rdme docs:prune', () => {
     versionMock.done();
   });
 
-  describe('rdme guides:prune', () => {
+  describe('rdme guides prune', () => {
     it('should error if no folder provided', async () => {
       return expect(
-        (await runCommandWithHooks(['guides:prune', '--key', key, '--version', version])).error.message,
+        (await runCommandWithHooks(['guides', 'prune', '--key', key, '--version', version])).error.message,
       ).toContain('Missing 1 required arg:\nfolder');
     });
   });
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/openapi/__snapshots__/inspect.test.ts.snap b/__tests__/commands/openapi/__snapshots__/inspect.test.ts.snap
index 256829bb0..a26aab331 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/openapi/__snapshots__/inspect.test.ts.snap
+++ b/__tests__/commands/openapi/__snapshots__/inspect.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:inspect > feature reports > should generate a report for '@readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/readme.…' (w/ [ 'polymorphism' ]) 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi inspect > feature reports > should generate a report for '@readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/readme.…' (w/ [ 'polymorphism' ]) 1`] = `
 "
 polymorphism:
  · #/components/responses/authForbidden/content/application~1json/schema
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ polymorphism:
  · #/paths/~1version/post/responses/400/content/application~1json/schema"
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:inspect > feature reports > should generate a report for '@readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/readme-…' (w/ [ 'readme' ]) 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi inspect > feature reports > should generate a report for '@readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/readme-…' (w/ [ 'readme' ]) 1`] = `
 "
 x-default: You do not use this.
 x-readme.code-samples:
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ x-readme.samples-languages:
  · swift"
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:inspect > feature reports > should generate a report for '@readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/schema-…' (w/ [ 'additionalProperties', …(1) ]) 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi inspect > feature reports > should generate a report for '@readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/schema-…' (w/ [ 'additionalProperties', …(1) ]) 1`] = `
 "
 additionalProperties:
  · #/components/schemas/BodyPart/properties/headers/additionalProperties
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ circularRefs:
  · #/components/schemas/ZoneOffset/properties/rules"
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:inspect > feature reports > should generate a report for '@readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/schema-…' (w/ [ 'additionalProperties', …(2) ]) 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi inspect > feature reports > should generate a report for '@readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/schema-…' (w/ [ 'additionalProperties', …(2) ]) 1`] = `
 "
 additionalProperties:
  · #/components/schemas/BodyPart/properties/headers/additionalProperties
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ x-readme.proxy-enabled: You do not use this.
 x-readme.samples-languages: You do not use this."
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:inspect > feature reports > should generate a report for '@readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/schema-…' (w/ [ 'circularRefs', 'readme' ]) 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi inspect > feature reports > should generate a report for '@readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/schema-…' (w/ [ 'circularRefs', 'readme' ]) 1`] = `
 "
 circularRefs:
  · #/components/schemas/MultiPart/properties/parent
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ x-readme.proxy-enabled: You do not use this.
 x-readme.samples-languages: You do not use this."
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:inspect > full reports > should generate a report for @readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/petstore.json 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi inspect > full reports > should generate a report for @readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/petstore.json 1`] = `
 "Here are some interesting things we found in your API definition. 🕵️
 
  · You are using 4 Media Types throughout your API: application/json, application/x-www-form-urlencoded, application/xml, and multipart/form-data
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ ReadMe-Specific Features and Extensions
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:inspect > full reports > should generate a report for @readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/readme.json 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi inspect > full reports > should generate a report for @readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/readme.json 1`] = `
 "Here are some interesting things we found in your API definition. 🕵️
 
  · You are using 2 Media Types throughout your API: application/json and multipart/form-data
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ ReadMe-Specific Features and Extensions
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:inspect > full reports > should generate a report for @readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/readme-extensions.json 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi inspect > full reports > should generate a report for @readme/oas-examples/3.0/json/readme-extensions.json 1`] = `
 "Here are some interesting things we found in your API definition. 🕵️
 
  · You are using a single Media Type throughout your API: application/json
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/openapi/__snapshots__/validate.test.ts.snap b/__tests__/commands/openapi/__snapshots__/validate.test.ts.snap
index 3ff2607eb..157b3a188 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/openapi/__snapshots__/validate.test.ts.snap
+++ b/__tests__/commands/openapi/__snapshots__/validate.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt (github flag enabled) 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt (github flag enabled) 1`] = `
 "
 Your GitHub Actions workflow file has been created! ✨
 
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Almost done! Push your newly created file (.github/workflows/validate-test-opt-s
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt (github flag enabled) 2`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt (github flag enabled) 2`] = `
 "# This GitHub Actions workflow was auto-generated by the \`rdme\` cli on 2022-01-01T00:00:00.000Z
 # You can view our full documentation here: https://docs.readme.com/docs/rdme
 name: ReadMe GitHub Action 🦉
@@ -30,14 +30,14 @@ jobs:
       - name: Check out repo 📚
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Run \`openapi:validate\` command 🚀
+      - name: Run \`openapi validate\` command 🚀
         uses: readmeio/rdme@v7
         with:
-          rdme: openapi:validate __tests__/__fixtures__/petstore-simple-weird-version.json
+          rdme: openapi validate __tests__/__fixtures__/petstore-simple-weird-version.json
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt (including workingDirectory) 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt (including workingDirectory) 1`] = `
 "
 Your GitHub Actions workflow file has been created! ✨
 
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Almost done! Push your newly created file (.github/workflows/validate-test-opt-s
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt (including workingDirectory) 2`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt (including workingDirectory) 2`] = `
 "# This GitHub Actions workflow was auto-generated by the \`rdme\` cli on 2022-01-01T00:00:00.000Z
 # You can view our full documentation here: https://docs.readme.com/docs/rdme
 name: ReadMe GitHub Action 🦉
@@ -67,14 +67,14 @@ jobs:
       - name: Check out repo 📚
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Run \`openapi:validate\` command 🚀
+      - name: Run \`openapi validate\` command 🚀
         uses: readmeio/rdme@v7
         with:
-          rdme: openapi:validate petstore.json --workingDirectory=./__tests__/__fixtures__/relative-ref-oas
+          rdme: openapi validate petstore.json --workingDirectory=./__tests__/__fixtures__/relative-ref-oas
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt 1`] = `
 "
 Your GitHub Actions workflow file has been created! ✨
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ Almost done! Push your newly created file (.github/workflows/validate-test-opt-s
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt 2`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via opt 2`] = `
 "# This GitHub Actions workflow was auto-generated by the \`rdme\` cli on 2022-01-01T00:00:00.000Z
 # You can view our full documentation here: https://docs.readme.com/docs/rdme
 name: ReadMe GitHub Action 🦉
@@ -104,14 +104,14 @@ jobs:
       - name: Check out repo 📚
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Run \`openapi:validate\` command 🚀
+      - name: Run \`openapi validate\` command 🚀
         uses: readmeio/rdme@v7
         with:
-          rdme: openapi:validate __tests__/__fixtures__/petstore-simple-weird-version.json
+          rdme: openapi validate __tests__/__fixtures__/petstore-simple-weird-version.json
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via prompts 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via prompts 1`] = `
 "
 Your GitHub Actions workflow file has been created! ✨
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ Almost done! Push your newly created file (.github/workflows/validate-test-file.
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via prompts 2`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > GHA onboarding E2E tests > should create GHA workflow if user passes in spec via prompts 2`] = `
 "# This GitHub Actions workflow was auto-generated by the \`rdme\` cli on 2022-01-01T00:00:00.000Z
 # You can view our full documentation here: https://docs.readme.com/docs/rdme
 name: ReadMe GitHub Action 🦉
@@ -141,14 +141,14 @@ jobs:
       - name: Check out repo 📚
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Run \`openapi:validate\` command 🚀
+      - name: Run \`openapi validate\` command 🚀
         uses: readmeio/rdme@v7
         with:
-          rdme: openapi:validate __tests__/__fixtures__/petstore-simple-weird-version.json
+          rdme: openapi validate __tests__/__fixtures__/petstore-simple-weird-version.json
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > error handling > should throw an error if an invalid API definition has many errors 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > error handling > should throw an error if an invalid API definition has many errors 1`] = `
 [SyntaxError: OpenAPI schema validation failed.
 
 REQUIRED must have required property 'url'
@@ -172,9 +172,9 @@ ADDITIONAL PROPERTY must NOT have additional properties
   29 |         "summary": "Finds Pets by status",]
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > error handling > should throw an error if an invalid OpenAPI 3.0 definition is supplied 1`] = `[MissingPointerError: Token "Error" does not exist.]`;
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > error handling > should throw an error if an invalid OpenAPI 3.0 definition is supplied 1`] = `[MissingPointerError: Token "Error" does not exist.]`;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > error handling > should throw an error if an invalid OpenAPI 3.1 definition is supplied 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > error handling > should throw an error if an invalid OpenAPI 3.1 definition is supplied 1`] = `
 [SyntaxError: OpenAPI schema validation failed.
 
 REQUIRED must have required property 'name'
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ REQUIRED must have required property 'name'
   29 |     }]
 `;
 
-exports[`rdme openapi:validate > error handling > should throw an error if an invalid Swagger definition is supplied 1`] = `
+exports[`rdme openapi validate > error handling > should throw an error if an invalid Swagger definition is supplied 1`] = `
 [SyntaxError: Swagger schema validation failed.
 
 ADDITIONAL PROPERTY must NOT have additional properties
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/openapi/convert.test.ts b/__tests__/commands/openapi/convert.test.ts
index f2c5ae805..1469beef2 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/openapi/convert.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/commands/openapi/convert.test.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { runCommandAndReturnResult } from '../../helpers/oclif.js';
 
 const successfulConversion = () => 'Your API definition has been converted and bundled and saved to output.json!';
 
-describe('rdme openapi:convert', () => {
+describe('rdme openapi convert', () => {
   let run: (args?: string[]) => Promise<string>;
   let testWorkingDir: string;
 
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/openapi/inspect.test.ts b/__tests__/commands/openapi/inspect.test.ts
index b03f04c7f..c5a0137f2 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/openapi/inspect.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/commands/openapi/inspect.test.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { describe, it, expect, beforeAll } from 'vitest';
 import Command from '../../../src/commands/openapi/inspect.js';
 import { runCommandAndReturnResult } from '../../helpers/oclif.js';
 
-describe('rdme openapi:inspect', () => {
+describe('rdme openapi inspect', () => {
   let run: (args?: string[]) => Promise<unknown>;
 
   beforeAll(() => {
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/openapi/reduce.test.ts b/__tests__/commands/openapi/reduce.test.ts
index 428cddcb8..a695f8baa 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/openapi/reduce.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/commands/openapi/reduce.test.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ const successfulReduction = () => 'Your reduced API definition has been saved to
 let consoleInfoSpy: MockInstance;
 const getCommandOutput = () => consoleInfoSpy.mock.calls.join('\n\n');
 
-describe('rdme openapi:reduce', () => {
+describe('rdme openapi reduce', () => {
   let run: (args?: string[]) => Promise<unknown>;
   let testWorkingDir: string;
 
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/openapi/validate.test.ts b/__tests__/commands/openapi/validate.test.ts
index 534e66869..f2ddb81ec 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/openapi/validate.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/commands/openapi/validate.test.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ const getCommandOutput = () => {
   return [consoleInfoSpy.mock.calls.join('\n\n')].filter(Boolean).join('\n\n');
 };
 
-describe('rdme openapi:validate', () => {
+describe('rdme openapi validate', () => {
   let run: (args?: string[]) => Promise<string>;
   let testWorkingDir: string;
 
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ describe('rdme openapi:validate', () => {
       return expect(
         (
           await runCommandWithHooks([
-            'openapi:validate',
+            'openapi validate',
             '__tests__/__fixtures__/petstore-simple-weird-version.json',
             '--github',
           ])
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/versions/create.test.ts b/__tests__/commands/versions/create.test.ts
index c85c73755..04ea9fac3 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/versions/create.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/commands/versions/create.test.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import { runCommandAndReturnResult } from '../../helpers/oclif.js';
 const key = 'API_KEY';
 const version = '1.0.0';
 
-describe('rdme versions:create', () => {
+describe('rdme versions create', () => {
   let run: (args?: string[]) => Promise<string>;
 
   beforeAll(() => {
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ describe('rdme versions:create', () => {
 
   it('should error if invalid version provided', () => {
     return expect(run(['--key', key, 'test'])).rejects.toStrictEqual(
-      new Error('Please specify a semantic version. See `rdme help versions:create` for help.'),
+      new Error('Please specify a semantic version. See `rdme help versions create` for help.'),
     );
   });
 
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/versions/delete.test.ts b/__tests__/commands/versions/delete.test.ts
index c0692bac3..3dd192506 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/versions/delete.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/commands/versions/delete.test.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import { runCommandAndReturnResult } from '../../helpers/oclif.js';
 const key = 'API_KEY';
 const version = '1.0.0';
 
-describe('rdme versions:delete', () => {
+describe('rdme versions delete', () => {
   let run: (args?: string[]) => Promise<string>;
 
   beforeAll(() => {
diff --git a/__tests__/commands/versions/update.test.ts b/__tests__/commands/versions/update.test.ts
index 6be05bd2f..1dd531cb4 100644
--- a/__tests__/commands/versions/update.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/commands/versions/update.test.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import { runCommandAndReturnResult } from '../../helpers/oclif.js';
 const key = 'API_KEY';
 const version = '1.0.0';
 
-describe('rdme versions:update', () => {
+describe('rdme versions update', () => {
   let run: (args?: string[]) => Promise<string>;
 
   beforeAll(() => {
diff --git a/__tests__/lib/createGHA.test.ts b/__tests__/lib/createGHA.test.ts
index 1b8da6c7c..a1cd3d9b8 100644
--- a/__tests__/lib/createGHA.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/lib/createGHA.test.ts
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ describe('#createGHA', () => {
       label: string;
       opts: Record<string, string>;
     }>([
+      // `openapi:validate` is the ID we define in src/index.ts for backwards compatibility,
+      // hence we're using this command ID here
       { cmd: 'openapi:validate', opts: { spec: 'petstore.json' }, label: '' },
       { cmd: 'openapi', opts: { key, spec: 'petstore.json', id: 'spec_id' }, label: '' },
       { cmd: 'docs', opts: { key, path: './docs', version: '1.0.0' }, label: '' },
diff --git a/documentation/commands/categories.md b/documentation/commands/categories.md
index 804f2e84b..70021b722 100644
--- a/documentation/commands/categories.md
+++ b/documentation/commands/categories.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 List or create categories in your ReadMe developer hub.
 
 * [`rdme categories`](#rdme-categories)
-* [`rdme categories:create TITLE`](#rdme-categoriescreate-title)
+* [`rdme categories create TITLE`](#rdme-categories-create-title)
 
 ## `rdme categories`
 
@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ EXAMPLES
     $ rdme categories --version={project-version}
 ```
 
-## `rdme categories:create TITLE`
+## `rdme categories create TITLE`
 
 Create a category with the specified title and guide in your ReadMe project.
 
 ```
 USAGE
-  $ rdme categories:create TITLE --categoryType guide|reference --key <value> [--preventDuplicates] [--version <value>]
+  $ rdme categories create TITLE --categoryType guide|reference --key <value> [--preventDuplicates] [--version <value>]
 
 ARGUMENTS
   TITLE  Title of the category
@@ -54,11 +54,11 @@ DESCRIPTION
 EXAMPLES
   Create a new category for your project version:
 
-    $ rdme categories:create <title> --categoryType={guide|reference} --version={project-version}
+    $ rdme categories create <title> --categoryType={guide|reference} --version={project-version}
 
   If you want to prevent the creation of a duplicate category with a matching `title` and `categoryType`, supply the
   `--preventDuplicates` flag:
 
-    $ rdme categories:create <title> --categoryType={guide|reference} --version={project-version} \
+    $ rdme categories create <title> --categoryType={guide|reference} --version={project-version} \
       --preventDuplicates
 ```
diff --git a/documentation/commands/docs.md b/documentation/commands/docs.md
index 51419b6cb..2db00b5fe 100644
--- a/documentation/commands/docs.md
+++ b/documentation/commands/docs.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 Sync or prune Guides pages in your ReadMe developer hub.
 
 * [`rdme docs PATH`](#rdme-docs-path)
-* [`rdme docs:prune FOLDER`](#rdme-docsprune-folder)
+* [`rdme docs prune FOLDER`](#rdme-docs-prune-folder)
 
 ## `rdme docs PATH`
 
@@ -46,13 +46,13 @@ EXAMPLES
     $ rdme docs [path] --version={project-version} --dryRun
 ```
 
-## `rdme docs:prune FOLDER`
+## `rdme docs prune FOLDER`
 
 Delete any docs from ReadMe if their slugs are not found in the target folder.
 
 ```
 USAGE
-  $ rdme docs:prune FOLDER --key <value> [--version <value>] [--github] [--confirm] [--dryRun]
+  $ rdme docs prune FOLDER --key <value> [--version <value>] [--github] [--confirm] [--dryRun]
 
 ARGUMENTS
   FOLDER  A local folder containing the files you wish to prune.
@@ -69,14 +69,14 @@ DESCRIPTION
   Delete any docs from ReadMe if their slugs are not found in the target folder.
 
 ALIASES
-  $ rdme guides:prune
+  $ rdme guides prune
 
 EXAMPLES
   If you wish to delete documents from ReadMe that are no longer present in your local directory:
 
-    $ rdme docs:prune [path-to-directory-of-markdown]
+    $ rdme docs prune [path-to-directory-of-markdown]
 
   Run with `--confirm` to bypass the confirmation prompt (useful for CI environments):
 
-    $ rdme docs:prune [path-to-directory-of-markdown] --confirm
+    $ rdme docs prune [path-to-directory-of-markdown] --confirm
 ```
diff --git a/documentation/commands/openapi.md b/documentation/commands/openapi.md
index 7509f5b29..0b39f4f77 100644
--- a/documentation/commands/openapi.md
+++ b/documentation/commands/openapi.md
@@ -4,10 +4,10 @@
 Manage your API definition (e.g., syncing, validation, analysis, conversion, etc.). Supports OpenAPI, Swagger, and Postman collections, in either JSON or YAML formats.
 
 * [`rdme openapi [SPEC]`](#rdme-openapi-spec)
-* [`rdme openapi:convert [SPEC]`](#rdme-openapiconvert-spec)
-* [`rdme openapi:inspect [SPEC]`](#rdme-openapiinspect-spec)
-* [`rdme openapi:reduce [SPEC]`](#rdme-openapireduce-spec)
-* [`rdme openapi:validate [SPEC]`](#rdme-openapivalidate-spec)
+* [`rdme openapi convert [SPEC]`](#rdme-openapi-convert-spec)
+* [`rdme openapi inspect [SPEC]`](#rdme-openapi-inspect-spec)
+* [`rdme openapi reduce [SPEC]`](#rdme-openapi-reduce-spec)
+* [`rdme openapi validate [SPEC]`](#rdme-openapi-validate-spec)
 
 ## `rdme openapi [SPEC]`
 
@@ -104,13 +104,13 @@ FLAG DESCRIPTIONS
     flag only works if there's only one API definition associated with the current version.
 ```
 
-## `rdme openapi:convert [SPEC]`
+## `rdme openapi convert [SPEC]`
 
 Converts an API definition to OpenAPI and bundles any external references.
 
 ```
 USAGE
-  $ rdme openapi:convert [SPEC] [--out <value>] [--title <value>] [--workingDirectory <value>]
+  $ rdme openapi convert [SPEC] [--out <value>] [--title <value>] [--workingDirectory <value>]
 
 ARGUMENTS
   SPEC  A file/URL to your API definition
@@ -131,21 +131,21 @@ EXAMPLES
   By default, this command will display a comprehensive table of all OpenAPI and ReadMe features found in your API
   definition:
 
-    $ rdme openapi:convert [url-or-local-path-to-file]
+    $ rdme openapi convert [url-or-local-path-to-file]
 
   You can omit the file name and `rdme` will scan your working directory (and any subdirectories) for OpenAPI/Swagger
   files. This approach will provide you with CLI prompts, so we do not recommend this technique in CI environments.
 
-    $ rdme openapi:convert
+    $ rdme openapi convert
 ```
 
-## `rdme openapi:inspect [SPEC]`
+## `rdme openapi inspect [SPEC]`
 
 Analyze an OpenAPI/Swagger definition for various OpenAPI and ReadMe feature usage.
 
 ```
 USAGE
-  $ rdme openapi:inspect [SPEC] [--feature
+  $ rdme openapi inspect [SPEC] [--feature
     additionalProperties|callbacks|circularRefs|discriminators|links|style|polymorphism|serverVariables|webhooks|xml|rea
     dme...] [--workingDirectory <value>]
 
@@ -171,27 +171,27 @@ EXAMPLES
   By default, this command will display a comprehensive table of all OpenAPI and ReadMe features found in your API
   definition:
 
-    $ rdme openapi:inspect [url-or-local-path-to-file]
+    $ rdme openapi inspect [url-or-local-path-to-file]
 
   You can omit the file name and `rdme` will scan your working directory (and any subdirectories) for OpenAPI/Swagger
   files. This approach will provide you with CLI prompts, so we do not recommend this technique in CI environments.
 
-    $ rdme openapi:inspect
+    $ rdme openapi inspect
 
   If you wish to automate this command, it contains a `--feature` flag so you can filter for one or several specific
   features. If you pass in one or more `--feature` flags, the command returns a `0` exit code if your definition
   contains all of the given features and a `1` exit code if your definition lacks any of the given features:
 
-    $ rdme openapi:inspect [url-or-local-path-to-file] --feature circularRefs --feature polymorphism
+    $ rdme openapi inspect [url-or-local-path-to-file] --feature circularRefs --feature polymorphism
 ```
 
-## `rdme openapi:reduce [SPEC]`
+## `rdme openapi reduce [SPEC]`
 
 Reduce an OpenAPI definition into a smaller subset.
 
 ```
 USAGE
-  $ rdme openapi:reduce [SPEC] [--method <value>...] [--out <value>] [--path <value>...] [--tag <value>...] [--title
+  $ rdme openapi reduce [SPEC] [--method <value>...] [--out <value>] [--path <value>...] [--tag <value>...] [--title
     <value>] [--workingDirectory <value>]
 
 ARGUMENTS
@@ -214,25 +214,25 @@ DESCRIPTION
 EXAMPLES
   By default, this command will ask you a couple questions about how you wish to reduce the file and then do so:
 
-    $ rdme openapi:reduce [url-or-local-path-to-file]
+    $ rdme openapi reduce [url-or-local-path-to-file]
 
   You can omit the file name and `rdme` will scan your working directory (and any subdirectories) for OpenAPI/Swagger
   files. This approach will provide you with CLI prompts, so we do not recommend this technique in CI environments.
 
-    $ rdme openapi:reduce
+    $ rdme openapi reduce
 
   If you wish to automate this command, you can pass in CLI arguments to bypass the prompts:
 
-    $ rdme openapi:reduce petstore.json --path /pet/{id} --method get --method put --out petstore.reduced.json
+    $ rdme openapi reduce petstore.json --path /pet/{id} --method get --method put --out petstore.reduced.json
 ```
 
-## `rdme openapi:validate [SPEC]`
+## `rdme openapi validate [SPEC]`
 
 Validate your OpenAPI/Swagger definition.
 
 ```
 USAGE
-  $ rdme openapi:validate [SPEC] [--github] [--workingDirectory <value>]
+  $ rdme openapi validate [SPEC] [--github] [--workingDirectory <value>]
 
 ARGUMENTS
   SPEC  A file/URL to your API definition
@@ -250,10 +250,10 @@ DESCRIPTION
 EXAMPLES
   This will validate the API definition at the given URL or path:
 
-    $ rdme openapi:validate [url-or-local-path-to-file]
+    $ rdme openapi validate [url-or-local-path-to-file]
 
   You can omit the file name and `rdme` will scan your working directory (and any subdirectories) for OpenAPI/Swagger
   files. This approach will provide you with CLI prompts, so we do not recommend this technique in CI environments.
 
-    $ rdme openapi:validate
+    $ rdme openapi validate
 ```
diff --git a/documentation/commands/versions.md b/documentation/commands/versions.md
index 260e873be..f15cd0101 100644
--- a/documentation/commands/versions.md
+++ b/documentation/commands/versions.md
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@
 Manage your documentation versions.
 
 * [`rdme versions`](#rdme-versions)
-* [`rdme versions:create VERSION`](#rdme-versionscreate-version)
-* [`rdme versions:delete [VERSION]`](#rdme-versionsdelete-version)
-* [`rdme versions:update [VERSION]`](#rdme-versionsupdate-version)
+* [`rdme versions create VERSION`](#rdme-versions-create-version)
+* [`rdme versions delete [VERSION]`](#rdme-versions-delete-version)
+* [`rdme versions update [VERSION]`](#rdme-versions-update-version)
 
 ## `rdme versions`
 
@@ -33,13 +33,13 @@ EXAMPLES
     $ rdme versions --version={project-version}
 ```
 
-## `rdme versions:create VERSION`
+## `rdme versions create VERSION`
 
 Create a new version for your project.
 
 ```
 USAGE
-  $ rdme versions:create VERSION --key <value> [--fork <value>] [--codename <value>] [--main true|false] [--beta
+  $ rdme versions create VERSION --key <value> [--fork <value>] [--codename <value>] [--main true|false] [--beta
     true|false] [--deprecated true|false] [--hidden true|false]
 
 ARGUMENTS
@@ -64,22 +64,22 @@ DESCRIPTION
 EXAMPLES
   Create a new version (with no flags):
 
-    $ rdme versions:create
+    $ rdme versions create
 
   If you wish to automate the process of creating a new project version, and not have the CLI prompt you for input,
   you can do so by supplying the necessary flags:
 
-    $ rdme versions:create <version> --fork={version-fork} --main={true|false} --beta={true|false} \
+    $ rdme versions create <version> --fork={version-fork} --main={true|false} --beta={true|false} \
       --deprecated={true|false} --hidden={true|false}
 ```
 
-## `rdme versions:delete [VERSION]`
+## `rdme versions delete [VERSION]`
 
 Delete a version associated with your ReadMe project.
 
 ```
 USAGE
-  $ rdme versions:delete [VERSION] --key <value>
+  $ rdme versions delete [VERSION] --key <value>
 
 ARGUMENTS
   VERSION  The version you'd like to delete.
@@ -93,16 +93,16 @@ DESCRIPTION
 EXAMPLES
   Remove a specific version from your project, as well as all of the associated documentation:
 
-    $ rdme versions:delete <version>
+    $ rdme versions delete <version>
 ```
 
-## `rdme versions:update [VERSION]`
+## `rdme versions update [VERSION]`
 
 Update an existing version for your project.
 
 ```
 USAGE
-  $ rdme versions:update [VERSION] --key <value> [--newVersion <value>] [--codename <value>] [--main true|false]
+  $ rdme versions update [VERSION] --key <value> [--newVersion <value>] [--codename <value>] [--main true|false]
     [--beta true|false] [--deprecated true|false] [--hidden true|false]
 
 ARGUMENTS
@@ -127,11 +127,11 @@ DESCRIPTION
 EXAMPLES
   Update an existing version (with no flags):
 
-    $ rdme versions:update
+    $ rdme versions update
 
   If you wish to automate the process of updating a project version, and not have the CLI prompt you for input, you
   can do so by supplying the necessary flags:
 
-    $ rdme versions:update <version> --newVersion={new-version-name} --main={true|false} --beta={true|false} \
+    $ rdme versions update <version> --newVersion={new-version-name} --main={true|false} --beta={true|false} \
       --deprecated={true|false} --hidden={true|false}
 ```
diff --git a/documentation/rdme.md b/documentation/rdme.md
index 476af5132..51441500a 100644
--- a/documentation/rdme.md
+++ b/documentation/rdme.md
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ We recommend using the [quick start](#quick-start) to get started with GitHub Ac
 The command syntax in GitHub Actions is functionally equivalent to the CLI. For example, take the following CLI command:
 
 ```sh
-rdme openapi:validate [url-or-local-path-to-file]
+rdme openapi validate [url-or-local-path-to-file]
 ```
 
 To execute this command via GitHub Actions, the step would look like this:
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ To execute this command via GitHub Actions, the step would look like this:
 ```yml
 - uses: readmeio/rdme@RDME_VERSION
   with:
-    rdme: openapi:validate [url-or-local-path-to-file]
+    rdme: openapi validate [url-or-local-path-to-file]
 ```
 
 The following section has links to full GitHub Actions workflow file examples.
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 7ddd2c231..ea976d1f5 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@
       "target": "./dist/index.js",
       "identifier": "COMMANDS"
     },
-    "topicSeparator": ":",
+    "topicSeparator": " ",
     "helpClass": "./dist/lib/help",
     "hooks": {
       "prerun": {
diff --git a/src/commands/docs/prune.ts b/src/commands/docs/prune.ts
index 70a4b09dd..a2bcfa49a 100644
--- a/src/commands/docs/prune.ts
+++ b/src/commands/docs/prune.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ function getSlug(filename: string): string {
 }
 
 export default class DocsPruneCommand extends BaseCommand<typeof DocsPruneCommand> {
-  static aliases = ['guides:prune'];
+  static aliases = ['guides prune'];
 
   static description = 'Delete any docs from ReadMe if their slugs are not found in the target folder.';
 
diff --git a/src/commands/openapi/convert.ts b/src/commands/openapi/convert.ts
index d74929231..a84127923 100644
--- a/src/commands/openapi/convert.ts
+++ b/src/commands/openapi/convert.ts
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ export default class OpenAPIConvertCommand extends BaseCommand<typeof OpenAPICon
       this.debug(`switching working directory from ${previousWorkingDirectory} to ${process.cwd()}`);
     }
 
-    const { preparedSpec, specPath, specType } = await prepareOas(spec, 'openapi:convert', {
+    const { preparedSpec, specPath, specType } = await prepareOas(spec, 'openapi convert', {
       convertToLatest: true,
       title,
     });
diff --git a/src/commands/openapi/inspect.ts b/src/commands/openapi/inspect.ts
index d5a8ceff4..95da80df7 100644
--- a/src/commands/openapi/inspect.ts
+++ b/src/commands/openapi/inspect.ts
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ export default class OpenAPIInspectCommand extends BaseCommand<typeof OpenAPIIns
       this.debug(`switching working directory from ${previousWorkingDirectory} to ${process.cwd()}`);
     }
 
-    const { preparedSpec, definitionVersion } = await prepareOas(spec, 'openapi:inspect', { convertToLatest: true });
+    const { preparedSpec, definitionVersion } = await prepareOas(spec, 'openapi inspect', { convertToLatest: true });
     const parsedPreparedSpec: OASDocument = JSON.parse(preparedSpec);
 
     const spinner = ora({ ...oraOptions() });
diff --git a/src/commands/openapi/reduce.ts b/src/commands/openapi/reduce.ts
index 9d54cda00..629c33edd 100644
--- a/src/commands/openapi/reduce.ts
+++ b/src/commands/openapi/reduce.ts
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ export default class OpenAPIReduceCommand extends BaseCommand<typeof OpenAPIRedu
       this.debug(`switching working directory from ${previousWorkingDirectory} to ${process.cwd()}`);
     }
 
-    const { preparedSpec, specPath, specType } = await prepareOas(spec, 'openapi:reduce', { title });
+    const { preparedSpec, specPath, specType } = await prepareOas(spec, 'openapi reduce', { title });
     const parsedPreparedSpec: OASDocument = JSON.parse(preparedSpec);
 
     if (specType !== 'OpenAPI') {
diff --git a/src/commands/openapi/validate.ts b/src/commands/openapi/validate.ts
index 96b8e69fe..957ac91b2 100644
--- a/src/commands/openapi/validate.ts
+++ b/src/commands/openapi/validate.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ export default class OpenAPIValidateCommand extends BaseCommand<typeof OpenAPIVa
     'Perform a local validation of your API definition (no ReadMe account required!), which can be useful when constructing or editing your API definition.';
 
   // needed for unit tests, even though we also specify this in src/index.ts
-  static id = 'openapi:validate';
+  static id = 'openapi validate' as const;
 
   static args = {
     spec: Args.string({ description: 'A file/URL to your API definition' }),
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ export default class OpenAPIValidateCommand extends BaseCommand<typeof OpenAPIVa
       this.debug(`switching working directory from ${previousWorkingDirectory} to ${process.cwd()}`);
     }
 
-    const { specPath, specType } = await prepareOas(this.args.spec, 'openapi:validate');
+    const { specPath, specType } = await prepareOas(this.args.spec, OpenAPIValidateCommand.id);
 
     return this.runCreateGHAHook({
       parsedOpts: { ...this.flags, spec: specPath },
diff --git a/src/commands/versions/create.ts b/src/commands/versions/create.ts
index 51c3933dd..12fb2c57d 100644
--- a/src/commands/versions/create.ts
+++ b/src/commands/versions/create.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ export default class CreateVersionCommand extends BaseCommand<typeof CreateVersi
   static description = 'Create a new version for your project.';
 
   // needed for unit tests, even though we also specify this in src/index.ts
-  static id = 'versions:create';
+  static id = 'versions create';
 
   static args = {
     version: Args.string({
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index ab4bdda9a..6039677ad 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,16 @@ import WhoAmICommand from './commands/whoami.js';
 export { default as createGHA } from './lib/hooks/createGHA.js';
 export { default as prerun } from './lib/hooks/prerun.js';
 
+/**
+ * All the commands available in the CLI. We use the `explicit` command discovery strategy
+ * so we can properly bundle the CLI for usage in GitHub Actions.
+ *
+ * Also, we use colon separators for subcommands below. This ensures that users can use both colons
+ * and spaces when running subcommands. The documentation will always show spaces, but colons are
+ * also supported.
+ *
+ * @see {@link https://oclif.io/docs/command_discovery_strategies/#explicit-strategy}
+ */
 export const COMMANDS = {
   categories: CategoriesCommand,
   'categories:create': CategoriesCreateCommand,
diff --git a/src/lib/castStringOptToBool.ts b/src/lib/castStringOptToBool.ts
index 2a4ee3c5b..455445a7f 100644
--- a/src/lib/castStringOptToBool.ts
+++ b/src/lib/castStringOptToBool.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import type { baseVersionFlags } from './flags.js';
 
 /**
- * All the boolean flags from the `versions:create` and `versions:update` commands
+ * All the boolean flags from the `versions create` and `versions update` commands
  */
 type VersionBooleanOpts = Exclude<keyof typeof baseVersionFlags, 'codename'>;
 
diff --git a/src/lib/flags.ts b/src/lib/flags.ts
index 428dfcfe6..16c355419 100644
--- a/src/lib/flags.ts
+++ b/src/lib/flags.ts
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ export const versionFlag = Flags.string({
 });
 
 /**
- * Used in the `versions:create` and `versions:update` commands.
+ * Used in the `versions create` and `versions update` commands.
  */
 export const baseVersionFlags = {
   codename: Flags.string({
diff --git a/src/lib/prepareOas.ts b/src/lib/prepareOas.ts
index d85d28c00..555bc0a88 100644
--- a/src/lib/prepareOas.ts
+++ b/src/lib/prepareOas.ts
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ const capitalizeSpecType = (type: string) =>
  */
 export default async function prepareOas(
   path: string | undefined,
-  command: 'openapi:convert' | 'openapi:inspect' | 'openapi:reduce' | 'openapi:validate' | 'openapi',
+  command: 'openapi convert' | 'openapi inspect' | 'openapi reduce' | 'openapi validate' | 'openapi',
   opts: {
     /**
      * Optionally convert the supplied or discovered API definition to the latest OpenAPI release.
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ export default async function prepareOas(
         action = 'upload';
         break;
       default:
-        action = command.split(':')[1] as 'convert' | 'inspect' | 'reduce' | 'validate';
+        action = command.split(' ')[1] as 'convert' | 'inspect' | 'reduce' | 'validate';
     }
 
     const jsonAndYamlFiles = readdirRecursive('.', true).filter(
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ export default async function prepareOas(
   const specVersion: string = api.info.version;
   debug(`version in spec: ${specVersion}`);
 
-  if (['openapi', 'openapi:inspect', 'openapi:reduce'].includes(command)) {
+  if (['openapi', 'openapi inspect', 'openapi reduce'].includes(command)) {
     api = await oas.bundle();
 
     debug('spec bundled');
diff --git a/src/lib/prompts.ts b/src/lib/prompts.ts
index ecc964cc0..ff1a989a8 100644
--- a/src/lib/prompts.ts
+++ b/src/lib/prompts.ts
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ export function createOasPrompt(
 
 /**
  * Series of prompts to construct a version object,
- * used in our `versions:create` and `versions:update` commands
+ * used in our `versions create` and `versions update` commands
  */
 export function versionPrompt(
   /** list of versions, used for prompt about which version to fork */
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ export function versionPrompt(
 ): PromptObject[] {
   return [
     {
-      // only runs for versions:create command
+      // only runs for versions create command
       type: existingVersion ? null : 'select',
       name: 'from',
       message: 'Which version would you like to fork from?',
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ export function versionPrompt(
       }),
     },
     {
-      // only runs for versions:update command
+      // only runs for versions update command
       type: !existingVersion ? null : 'text',
       name: 'newVersion',
       message: 'What should the version be renamed to?',