diff --git a/COMMITS.md b/COMMITS.md
index 31773be58..a269d8798 100644
--- a/COMMITS.md
+++ b/COMMITS.md
@@ -10,21 +10,12 @@ easier code review => quicker merging => faster delivery of quality software.
 We'll check and help you polish messages as part of CI and code review.
 (You can also set up a local commit hook, described below.)
 
-<!-- keep synced with tools/commitlint -->
-Here's the typical format:
+Here's the typical format: <!-- keep synced with tools/commitlint -->
 
     [feat|imp|fix[!]:] topic: Summary
 
     [Longer description when useful]
 
-Some examples:
-
-- *feat: accounts: --types shows account types (#1820)*
-- *imp!: journal: Remove deprecated account type code syntax from account directives.*
-- *fix: types: Ensure auto postings can match against and be matched by type: queries.*
-- *tools: commitlint: allow a git "fixup! " prefix*
-- *doc: releasing: tweaks*
-
 More precisely:
 
 - Commit messages must begin with one or more prefixes (colon-terminated words),
@@ -40,6 +31,14 @@ More precisely:
   intended audience (which might be users, installers, packagers, and/or developers) 
   what they need to know.
 
+Some examples:
+
+- `feat: accounts: --types shows account types (#1820)`
+- `imp!: journal: Remove deprecated account type code syntax from account directives.`
+- `fix: types: Ensure auto postings can match against and be matched by type: queries.`
+- `tools: commitlint: allow a git "fixup! " prefix`
+- `doc: releasing: tweaks`
+
 Some possible prefixes:
 
 - `feat` - a new feature