diff --git a/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/AccountsScreen.hs b/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/AccountsScreen.hs
index 267e7b63c..4c5052914 100644
--- a/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/AccountsScreen.hs
+++ b/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/AccountsScreen.hs
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ import Hledger.UI.UIState
 import Hledger.UI.UIUtils
 import Hledger.UI.UIScreens
 import Hledger.UI.Editor
-import Hledger.UI.ErrorScreen (uiReloadJournal, uiCheckBalanceAssertions, uiReloadJournalIfChanged)
+import Hledger.UI.ErrorScreen (uiCheckBalanceAssertions, uiReload, uiReloadIfFileChanged)
 import Hledger.UI.RegisterScreen (rsCenterSelection)
 import Data.Either (fromRight)
 import Control.Arrow ((>>>))
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ asHandleNormalMode (ALS scons ass) ev = do
     -- XXX be sure we don't leave unconsumed app events piling up
     -- A data file has changed (or the user has pressed g): reload.
     e | e `elem` [AppEvent FileChange, VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'g') [])] ->
-      liftIO (uiReloadJournal copts d ui) >>= put'
+      liftIO (uiReload copts d ui) >>= put'
 
     -- The date has changed (and we are viewing a standard period which contained the old date):
     -- adjust the viewed period and regenerate, just in case needed.
@@ -245,9 +245,9 @@ asHandleNormalMode (ALS scons ass) ev = do
     VtyEvent (EvKey k           []) | k `elem` [KBS, KDel] -> modify' (resetFilter >>> regenerateScreens j d)
 
     -- run external programs:
-    VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'a') []) -> suspendAndResume $ clearScreen >> setCursorPosition 0 0 >> add (cliOptsDropArgs copts) j >> uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j ui
-    VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'A') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runIadd (journalFilePath j)) >> uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j ui
-    VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'E') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runEditor endPosition (journalFilePath j)) >> uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j ui
+    VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'a') []) -> suspendAndResume $ clearScreen >> setCursorPosition 0 0 >> add (cliOptsDropArgs copts) j >> uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j ui
+    VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'A') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runIadd (journalFilePath j)) >> uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j ui
+    VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'E') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runEditor endPosition (journalFilePath j)) >> uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j ui
 
     -- adjust the period displayed:
     VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'T') []) ->       modify' (setReportPeriod (DayPeriod d)    >>> regenerateScreens j d)
diff --git a/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/ErrorScreen.hs b/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/ErrorScreen.hs
index f244b2725..e6954688c 100644
--- a/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/ErrorScreen.hs
+++ b/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/ErrorScreen.hs
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ module Hledger.UI.ErrorScreen
  ,esDraw
  ,esHandle
  ,uiCheckBalanceAssertions
- ,uiReloadJournal
- ,uiReloadJournalIfChanged
+ ,uiReload
+ ,uiReloadIfFileChanged
  )
 where
 
@@ -88,13 +88,13 @@ esHandle ev = do
             VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'q') []) -> halt
             VtyEvent (EvKey KEsc        []) -> put' $ uiCheckBalanceAssertions d $ resetScreens d ui
             VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar c)   []) | c `elem` ['h','?'] -> put' $ setMode Help ui
-            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'E') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runEditor pos f) >> uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j (popScreen ui)
+            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'E') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runEditor pos f) >> uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j (popScreen ui)
               where
                 (pos,f) = case parsewithString hledgerparseerrorpositionp _essError of
                             Right (f',l,c) -> (Just (l, Just c),f')
                             Left  _       -> (endPosition, journalFilePath j)
             e | e `elem` [VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'g') []), AppEvent FileChange] ->
-              liftIO (uiReloadJournal copts d (popScreen ui)) >>= put' . uiCheckBalanceAssertions d
+              liftIO (uiReload copts d (popScreen ui)) >>= put' . uiCheckBalanceAssertions d
               -- (ej, _) <- liftIO $ journalReloadIfChanged copts d j
               -- case ej of
               --   Left err -> continue ui{aScreen=s{esError=err}} -- show latest parse error
@@ -130,29 +130,27 @@ hledgerparseerrorpositionp = do
       ]
 
 
--- | Unconditionally reload the journal, regenerating the current screen
--- and all previous screens in the history as of the provided today-date.
--- If reloading fails, enter the error screen, or if we're already
--- on the error screen, update the error displayed.
--- Defined here so it can reference the error screen.
+-- Defined here so it can reference the error screen:
+
+-- | Reload the journal from its input files, then update the ui app state accordingly.
+-- This means regenerate the entire screen stack from top level down to the current screen, using the provided today-date.
+-- Or if journal reloading fails, enter the error screen; or if already there, update its message.
 --
--- The provided CliOpts are used for reloading, and then saved in the
--- UIState if reloading is successful (otherwise the UIState keeps its old
--- CliOpts.) (XXX needed for.. ?)
+-- The provided cli options can influence reloading; then if reloading succeeds they are saved in the ui state,
+-- otherwise the UIState keeps its old options. (XXX needed for.. ?)
 --
--- Forecasted transactions are always generated, as at hledger-ui startup.
--- If a forecast period is specified in the provided opts, or was specified
--- at startup, it is preserved.
+-- Like at hledger-ui startup, --forecast is always enabled.
+-- A forecast period specified in the provided opts, or at startup, is preserved.
 --
-uiReloadJournal :: CliOpts -> Day -> UIState -> IO UIState
-uiReloadJournal copts d ui = do
+uiReload :: CliOpts -> Day -> UIState -> IO UIState
+uiReload copts d ui = do
   ej <-
     let copts' = enableForecastPreservingPeriod ui copts
     in runExceptT $ journalTransform copts' <$> journalReload copts'
-  -- dbg1IO "uiReloadJournal before reload" (map tdescription $ jtxns $ ajournal ui)
+  -- dbg1IO "uiReload before reload" (map tdescription $ jtxns $ ajournal ui)
   return $ case ej of
     Right j  ->
-      -- dbg1 "uiReloadJournal after reload" (map tdescription $ jtxns j) $
+      -- dbg1 "uiReload after reload" (map tdescription $ jtxns j) $
       regenerateScreens j d ui
     Left err ->
       case ui of
@@ -167,11 +165,11 @@ uiReloadJournal copts d ui = do
       --             RegisterScreen _ _ _ _ _ _
       --             TransactionScreen _ _ _ _ _ _
 
--- | Like uiReloadJournal, but does not re-parse the journal if the file(s)
+-- | Like uiReload, but does not re-parse the journal if the file(s)
 -- have not changed since last loaded. Always regenerates the screens though,
 -- since the provided options or today-date may have changed.
-uiReloadJournalIfChanged :: CliOpts -> Day -> Journal -> UIState -> IO UIState
-uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j ui = do
+uiReloadIfFileChanged :: CliOpts -> Day -> Journal -> UIState -> IO UIState
+uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j ui = do
   let copts' = enableForecastPreservingPeriod ui copts
   ej <- runExceptT $ journalReloadIfChanged copts' d j
   return $ case ej of
diff --git a/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/MenuScreen.hs b/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/MenuScreen.hs
index 61ed6fe1c..ebab451de 100644
--- a/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/MenuScreen.hs
+++ b/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/MenuScreen.hs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ import Hledger.UI.UITypes
 import Hledger.UI.UIState
 import Hledger.UI.UIUtils
 import Hledger.UI.UIScreens
-import Hledger.UI.ErrorScreen (uiReloadJournal, uiCheckBalanceAssertions, uiReloadJournalIfChanged)
+import Hledger.UI.ErrorScreen (uiCheckBalanceAssertions, uiReload, uiReloadIfFileChanged)
 import Hledger.UI.Editor (runIadd, runEditor, endPosition)
 import Brick.Widgets.Edit (getEditContents, handleEditorEvent)
 import Control.Arrow ((>>>))
@@ -156,11 +156,11 @@ msHandle ev = do
               where
                 p = reportPeriod ui
             e | e `elem` [VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'g') []), AppEvent FileChange] ->
-              liftIO (uiReloadJournal copts d ui) >>= put'
+              liftIO (uiReload copts d ui) >>= put'
             VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'I') []) -> put' $ uiCheckBalanceAssertions d (toggleIgnoreBalanceAssertions ui)
-            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'a') []) -> suspendAndResume $ clearScreen >> setCursorPosition 0 0 >> add (cliOptsDropArgs copts) j >> uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j ui
-            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'A') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runIadd (journalFilePath j)) >> uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j ui
-            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'E') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runEditor endPosition (journalFilePath j)) >> uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j ui
+            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'a') []) -> suspendAndResume $ clearScreen >> setCursorPosition 0 0 >> add (cliOptsDropArgs copts) j >> uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j ui
+            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'A') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runIadd (journalFilePath j)) >> uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j ui
+            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'E') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runEditor endPosition (journalFilePath j)) >> uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j ui
 
 --             VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'B') []) -> put' $ regenerateScreens j d $ toggleConversionOp ui
 --             VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'V') []) -> put' $ regenerateScreens j d $ toggleValue ui
diff --git a/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/RegisterScreen.hs b/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/RegisterScreen.hs
index a736f12cc..2afd82dff 100644
--- a/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/RegisterScreen.hs
+++ b/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/RegisterScreen.hs
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ import Hledger.UI.UIState
 import Hledger.UI.UIUtils
 import Hledger.UI.UIScreens
 import Hledger.UI.Editor
-import Hledger.UI.ErrorScreen (uiReloadJournal, uiCheckBalanceAssertions, uiReloadJournalIfChanged)
+import Hledger.UI.ErrorScreen (uiCheckBalanceAssertions, uiReload, uiReloadIfFileChanged)
 
 rsDraw :: UIState -> [Widget Name]
 rsDraw UIState{aopts=_uopts@UIOpts{uoCliOpts=copts@CliOpts{reportspec_=rspec}}
@@ -246,13 +246,13 @@ rsHandle ev = do
                 p = reportPeriod ui
 
             e | e `elem` [AppEvent FileChange, VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'g') [])] ->
-              liftIO (uiReloadJournal copts d ui) >>= put'
+              liftIO (uiReload copts d ui) >>= put'
 
             VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'I') []) -> put' $ uiCheckBalanceAssertions d (toggleIgnoreBalanceAssertions ui)
-            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'a') []) -> suspendAndResume $ clearScreen >> setCursorPosition 0 0 >> add (cliOptsDropArgs copts) j >> uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j ui
-            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'A') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runIadd (journalFilePath j)) >> uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j ui
+            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'a') []) -> suspendAndResume $ clearScreen >> setCursorPosition 0 0 >> add (cliOptsDropArgs copts) j >> uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j ui
+            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'A') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runIadd (journalFilePath j)) >> uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j ui
             VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'T') []) -> put' $ regenerateScreens j d $ setReportPeriod (DayPeriod d) ui
-            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'E') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runEditor pos f) >> uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j ui
+            VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'E') []) -> suspendAndResume $ void (runEditor pos f) >> uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j ui
               where
                 (pos,f) = case listSelectedElement _rssList of
                             Nothing -> (endPosition, journalFilePath j)
diff --git a/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/TransactionScreen.hs b/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/TransactionScreen.hs
index e01da60aa..cad3ae752 100644
--- a/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/TransactionScreen.hs
+++ b/hledger-ui/Hledger/UI/TransactionScreen.hs
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import Hledger.UI.UIState
 import Hledger.UI.UIUtils
 import Hledger.UI.UIScreens
 import Hledger.UI.Editor
-import Hledger.UI.ErrorScreen (uiReloadJournalIfChanged, uiCheckBalanceAssertions, uiReloadJournal)
+import Hledger.UI.ErrorScreen (uiCheckBalanceAssertions, uiReload, uiReloadIfFileChanged)
 import Hledger.UI.RegisterScreen (rsHandle)
 import System.Exit (ExitCode(..))
 import Data.Function ((&))
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ tsHandle ev = do
             e | e `elem` [VtyEvent (EvKey (KChar 'g') []), AppEvent FileChange] -> do
               -- To update all state: exit to register screen, regenerate screens, re-enter transaction screen.
               -- Anywhere else here that we need to be this thorough ?
-              put' =<< liftIO (popScreen ui & uiReloadJournal copts d)
+              put' =<< liftIO (popScreen ui & uiReload copts d)
               rsHandle (VtyEvent (EvKey KEnter []))
               --
               -- for debugging; leaving these here because they were hard to find
@@ -158,8 +158,8 @@ tsHandle ev = do
                 case exitcode of
                   ExitSuccess   -> return ()
                   ExitFailure c -> error' $ "running the text editor failed with exit code " ++ show c
-              -- Like above: exit to register screen, regenerate screens (if file has changed), re-enter transaction screen.
-              put' =<< liftIO (popScreen ui & uiReloadJournalIfChanged copts d j)
+              -- Update all state, similar to above.
+              put' =<< liftIO (popScreen ui & uiReloadIfFileChanged copts d j)
               rsHandle (VtyEvent (EvKey KEnter []))
               where (pos,f) = case tsourcepos t of (SourcePos f' l1 c1,_) -> (Just (unPos l1, Just $ unPos c1),f')
 
diff --git a/hledger/Hledger/Cli/Utils.hs b/hledger/Hledger/Cli/Utils.hs
index 47f543e37..5ffcf441a 100644
--- a/hledger/Hledger/Cli/Utils.hs
+++ b/hledger/Hledger/Cli/Utils.hs
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ withJournalDo = withJournal
 -- --pivot, --anonymise error message, --obfuscate.
 journalTransform :: CliOpts -> Journal -> Journal
 journalTransform opts =
--- XXX Called by withJournal, journalReload, uiReloadJournal, withJournalCached.
+-- XXX Called by withJournal, journalReload, uiReload, withJournalCached.
 -- Could it be moved down into journalFinalise ? These steps only depend on InputOpts.
       maybePivot opts
   <&> maybeWarnAboutAnon opts