=head1 SYNOPSIS
-B<dh_auto_configure> [S<I<debhelper options>>] [S<B<--> I<params>>]
+B<dh_auto_configure> [S<I<build system options>>] [S<I<debhelper options>>] [S<B<--> I<params>>]
=head1 DESCRIPTION
dh_auto_configure is a debhelper program that tries to automatically
-configure a package prior to building. It looks for and runs a ./configure
-script, Makefile.PL, Build.PL, or cmake. A standard set of parameters is
-determined and passed to the program that is run. If no program to run is
-found, dh_auto_configure will exit without doing anything.
+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 ./configure script, Makefile.PL,
+Build.PL, or 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 dh_auto_configure will exit without
+doing anything.
This is intended to work for about 90% of packages. If it doesn't work,
you're encouraged to skip using dh_auto_configure at all, and just run
=head1 OPTIONS
+See L<debhelper(7)/BUILD SYSTEM OPTIONS> for a list of common build
+system selection and control options.
+
=over 4
=item B<--> I<params>