diff --git a/standard/cli/command-reference/porter-apply.mdx b/standard/cli/command-reference/porter-apply.mdx
index c1efbf1e..2f2e266c 100644
--- a/standard/cli/command-reference/porter-apply.mdx
+++ b/standard/cli/command-reference/porter-apply.mdx
@@ -75,9 +75,10 @@ You can pass environment variables and secrets directly via command-line flags w
 
 | Flag | Description |
 |------|-------------|
-| `--validate` | Check that the `porter.yaml` file is valid YAML syntax |
 | `--dry-run` | Perform server-side validation to confirm the configuration is valid without applying changes |
 
+To check a `porter.yaml` locally without building or deploying, use the [`porter apply validate`](#porter-apply-validate) subcommand.
+
 ### Advanced Options
 
 | Flag | Short | Description |
@@ -117,9 +118,9 @@ porter apply -f porter.yaml --wait
 porter apply -f porter.yaml --preview
 ```
 
-```bash Validate YAML Syntax
-# Check that porter.yaml is valid YAML
-porter apply -f porter.yaml --validate
+```bash Validate Locally
+# Check porter.yaml against the schema without building or deploying
+porter apply validate -f porter.yaml
 ```
 
 ```bash Dry Run
@@ -146,6 +147,23 @@ porter apply -f porter.yaml --variables LOG_LEVEL=debug,NODE_ENV=production --se
 ```
 </CodeGroup>
 
+## `porter apply validate`
+
+Validate a `porter.yaml` file against the schema locally. This command does not build, push, or deploy, and does not contact the Porter API.
+
+**Usage:**
+```bash
+porter apply validate -f porter.yaml
+```
+
+**Options:**
+
+| Flag | Short | Description |
+|------|-------|-------------|
+| `--file` | `-f` | Path to the `porter.yaml` file (defaults to `porter.yaml` in the current directory) |
+
+On success the command prints `✓ porter.yaml is valid`. On failure it prints the validation error and exits non-zero. For server-side validation of the full configuration against your project, use `porter apply --dry-run`.
+
 ## Workflow
 
 When you run `porter apply`, the following steps occur: