diff --git a/crates/cli/src/subcommands/dev.rs b/crates/cli/src/subcommands/dev.rs
index ef8f876d973..806dadedfc5 100644
--- a/crates/cli/src/subcommands/dev.rs
+++ b/crates/cli/src/subcommands/dev.rs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ pub fn cli() -> Command {
         .about("Start development mode with auto-regenerate client module bindings, auto-rebuild, and auto-publish on file changes.")
         .arg(
             Arg::new("database")
-                .long("database")
+                .required(false)
                 .help("The database name/identity to publish to (optional, will prompt if not provided)"),
         )
         .arg(
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ pub async fn exec(mut config: Config, args: &ArgMatches) -> Result<(), anyhow::E
         println!(
             "{} {}",
             "Tip:".yellow().bold(),
-            format!("Use `--database {}` to skip this question next time", database_name).dimmed()
+            format!("Use `spacetime dev {}` to skip this question next time", database_name).dimmed()
         );
     }
 
diff --git a/docs/docs/00300-resources/01000-reference/00100-cli-reference/00100-cli-reference.md b/docs/docs/00300-resources/01000-reference/00100-cli-reference/00100-cli-reference.md
index 976b11a9895..26db81a0e9f 100644
--- a/docs/docs/00300-resources/01000-reference/00100-cli-reference/00100-cli-reference.md
+++ b/docs/docs/00300-resources/01000-reference/00100-cli-reference/00100-cli-reference.md
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ Run `spacetime help describe` for more detailed information.
 
 Start development mode with auto-regenerate client module bindings, auto-rebuild, and auto-publish on file changes.
 
-**Usage:** `spacetime dev [OPTIONS]`
+**Usage:** `spacetime dev [OPTIONS] [database]`
 
 ###### **Options:**