diff --git a/R/render.R b/R/render.R
index d73967aa..006b5bf5 100644
--- a/R/render.R
+++ b/R/render.R
@@ -8,10 +8,9 @@
 #'   to rendering the project in the current working directory).
 #' @param output_format Target output format (defaults to `"html"`). The option
 #'   `"all"` will render all formats defined within the file or project.
-#' @param output_file The name of the output file. If using `NULL`, the output
-#'   filename will be based on the filename for the input file. `output_file` is
-#'   mapped to the `--output` option flag of the `quarto` CLI. It is expected to
-#'   be a filename only, not a path, relative or absolute.
+#' @param output_file Base name for single-file output (e.g. PDF, ePub, MS Word).
+#'   This sets the `output-file` Quarto metadata. If `NULL`, the output filename
+#'   will be based on the input filename.
 #' @param execute Whether to execute embedded code chunks.
 #' @param execute_params A list of named parameters that override custom params
 #'   specified within the YAML front-matter.
diff --git a/man/quarto_render.Rd b/man/quarto_render.Rd
index 243f3499..7b2e768b 100644
--- a/man/quarto_render.Rd
+++ b/man/quarto_render.Rd
@@ -34,10 +34,9 @@ to rendering the project in the current working directory).}
 \item{output_format}{Target output format (defaults to \code{"html"}). The option
 \code{"all"} will render all formats defined within the file or project.}
 
-\item{output_file}{The name of the output file. If using \code{NULL}, the output
-filename will be based on the filename for the input file. \code{output_file} is
-mapped to the \code{--output} option flag of the \code{quarto} CLI. It is expected to
-be a filename only, not a path, relative or absolute.}
+\item{output_file}{Base name for single-file output (e.g. PDF, ePub, MS Word).
+This sets the \code{output-file} Quarto metadata. If \code{NULL}, the output filename
+will be based on the input filename.}
 
 \item{execute}{Whether to execute embedded code chunks.}