diff --git a/letsencrypt/client/reverter.py b/letsencrypt/client/reverter.py
index 715b44f80..ebb85a954 100644
--- a/letsencrypt/client/reverter.py
+++ b/letsencrypt/client/reverter.py
@@ -83,7 +83,8 @@ class Reverter(object):
     def view_config_changes(self):
         """Displays all saved checkpoints.
 
-        All checkpoints are printed to the console.
+        All checkpoints are printed by
+        :meth:`letsencrypt.client.interfaces.IDisplay.notification`.
 
         .. todo:: Decide on a policy for error handling, OSError IOError...
 
@@ -130,17 +131,17 @@ class Reverter(object):
             os.linesep.join(output), display_util.HEIGHT)
 
     def add_to_temp_checkpoint(self, save_files, save_notes):
-        """Add files to temporary checkpoint
+        """Add files to temporary checkpoint.
 
-        param set save_files: set of filepaths to save
-        param str save_notes: notes about changes during the save
+        :param set save_files: set of filepaths to save
+        :param str save_notes: notes about changes during the save
 
         """
         self._add_to_checkpoint_dir(
             self.config.temp_checkpoint_dir, save_files, save_notes)
 
     def add_to_checkpoint(self, save_files, save_notes):
-        """Add files to a permanent checkpoint
+        """Add files to a permanent checkpoint.
 
         :param set save_files: set of filepaths to save
         :param str save_notes: notes about changes during the save
@@ -324,15 +325,18 @@ class Reverter(object):
                 new_fd.close()
 
     def recovery_routine(self):
-        """Revert all previously modified files.
+        """Revert configuration to most recent finalized checkpoint.
 
-        First, any changes found in IConfig.temp_checkpoint_dir are removed,
-        then IN_PROGRESS changes are removed The order is important.
-        IN_PROGRESS is unable to add files that are already added by a TEMP
-        change.  Thus TEMP must be rolled back first because that will be the
-        'latest' occurrence of the file.
+        Remove all changes (temporary and permanent) that have not been
+        finalized. This is useful to protect against crashes and other
+        execution interruptions.
 
         """
+        # First, any changes found in IConfig.temp_checkpoint_dir are removed,
+        # then IN_PROGRESS changes are removed The order is important.
+        # IN_PROGRESS is unable to add files that are already added by a TEMP
+        # change.  Thus TEMP must be rolled back first because that will be the
+        # 'latest' occurrence of the file.
         self.revert_temporary_config()
         if os.path.isdir(self.config.in_progress_dir):
             try:
@@ -385,11 +389,10 @@ class Reverter(object):
         return True
 
     def finalize_checkpoint(self, title):
-        """Move IN_PROGRESS checkpoint to timestamped checkpoint.
+        """Finalize the checkpoint.
 
-        Adds title to self.config.in_progress_dir CHANGES_SINCE
-        Move self.config.in_progress_dir to Backups directory and
-        rename the directory as a timestamp
+        Timestamps and permanently saves all changes made through the use
+        of :func:`~add_to_checkpoint` and :func:`~register_file_creation`
 
         :param str title: Title describing checkpoint
 
@@ -397,6 +400,9 @@ class Reverter(object):
             checkpoint is not able to be finalized.
 
         """
+        # Adds title to self.config.in_progress_dir CHANGES_SINCE
+        # Move self.config.in_progress_dir to Backups directory and
+        # rename the directory as a timestamp
         # Check to make sure an "in progress" directory exists
         if not os.path.isdir(self.config.in_progress_dir):
             return