-dh_auto_configure is a debhelper program that is responsible for the
-I<configure> step of the L<dh_auto(7)> building process. Since I<configure> is
-the first step, typically it is the point when build configuration options
-are set, system settings are detected and various build system specific
-temporary files are pre-generated in the build directory. Some simpler build
-systems do not need this step. In such a case, dh_auto_configure silently
-succeeds without doing anything.
+B<dh_auto_configure> is a debhelper program that tries to automatically
+configure a package prior to building. It does so by running the
+appropriate command for the build system it detects the package uses.
+For example, it looks for and runs a F<./configure> script, F<Makefile.PL>,
+F<Build.PL>, or F<cmake>. A standard set of parameters is determined and passed
+to the program that is run. Some build systems, such as make, do not
+need a configure step; for these B<dh_auto_configure> will exit without
+doing anything.