diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d69ad3b..93f96eb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ If option `--in-dir` is used, all the `*.sql` files will be used for code genera
 ```
 $ norm-codegen --help
 
-Usage: norm-codegen [OPTIONS]
+Usage: norm-codegen [OPTIONS] [SQLFILES]...
 
   Generates Kotlin Source files for given SQL files using the Postgres
   database connection
@@ -208,8 +208,8 @@ Options:
   -p, --password TEXT        Password (can use env var PG_PASSWORD)
   -b, --base-path DIRECTORY  relative path from this dir will be used to infer
                              package name
-  -f, --file FILE            [Multiple] SQL files, the file path will be used
-                             to infer package name
+  -f, --file FILE            [Multiple] SQL files, the file path relative to
+                             base path (-b) will be used to infer package name
   -d, --in-dir DIRECTORY     Dir containing .sql files, relative path from
                              this dir will be used to infer package name
   -o, --out-dir DIRECTORY    Output dir where source should be generated
diff --git a/cli/src/main/kotlin/norm/cli/NormCli.kt b/cli/src/main/kotlin/norm/cli/NormCli.kt
index 1550c53..0f00b60 100644
--- a/cli/src/main/kotlin/norm/cli/NormCli.kt
+++ b/cli/src/main/kotlin/norm/cli/NormCli.kt
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 package norm.cli
 
 import com.github.ajalt.clikt.core.CliktCommand
+import com.github.ajalt.clikt.parameters.arguments.argument
+import com.github.ajalt.clikt.parameters.arguments.multiple
+import com.github.ajalt.clikt.parameters.arguments.unique
 import com.github.ajalt.clikt.parameters.options.*
 import com.github.ajalt.clikt.parameters.types.file
 import norm.api.NormApi
@@ -42,7 +45,12 @@ class NormCli : CliktCommand( // command name is inferred as norm-cli
             .file(canBeFile = false, canBeDir = true, mustExist = true)
             .default(File(".")) // Current working dir
 
-    private val inputFiles by option("-f", "--file", help = "[Multiple] SQL files, the file path will be used to infer package name")
+    private val inputFilesAsOpts by option("-f", "--file", help = "[Multiple] SQL files, the file path relative to base path (-b) will be used to infer package name")
+            .file(canBeFile = true, canBeDir = false, mustExist = true)
+            .multiple()
+            .unique()
+
+    private val sqlFiles by argument() // give meaningful name for CLI help message
             .file(canBeFile = true, canBeDir = false, mustExist = true)
             .multiple()
             .unique()
@@ -67,8 +75,8 @@ class NormCli : CliktCommand( // command name is inferred as norm-cli
                     }
                 }
 
-                // If dir is provided, relativize to basePath
-                inputFiles.forEach { sqlFile ->
+                // if file list is explicitly provided, it is relative to basePath
+                (inputFilesAsOpts + sqlFiles).forEach { sqlFile ->
                     IO(sqlFile, basePath, outDir).process(normApi::generate)
                 }
             }