diff --git a/src/core/diff/strategies/multi-file-search-replace.ts b/src/core/diff/strategies/multi-file-search-replace.ts
index 15542016753..5d9c3dcb162 100644
--- a/src/core/diff/strategies/multi-file-search-replace.ts
+++ b/src/core/diff/strategies/multi-file-search-replace.ts
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ Parameters:
 Diff format:
 \`\`\`
 <<<<<<< SEARCH
-:start_line: (required) The line number of original content where the search block starts.
+:start_line: (optional) The line number of original content where the search block starts.
 -------
 [exact content to find including whitespace]
 =======
diff --git a/src/core/diff/strategies/multi-search-replace.ts b/src/core/diff/strategies/multi-search-replace.ts
index 9e740a65710..d4bf3a5ab58 100644
--- a/src/core/diff/strategies/multi-search-replace.ts
+++ b/src/core/diff/strategies/multi-search-replace.ts
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ Parameters:
 Diff format:
 \`\`\`
 <<<<<<< SEARCH
-:start_line: (required) The line number of original content where the search block starts.
+:start_line: (optional) The line number of original content where the search block starts.
 -------
 [exact content to find including whitespace]
 =======