diff --git a/EXAMPLES.md b/EXAMPLES.md
index b5bd670..1c26157 100644
--- a/EXAMPLES.md
+++ b/EXAMPLES.md
@@ -20,31 +20,32 @@ This file provides a self-referential example, defining the `cli-schema` command
 ```yaml
 # This file defines the 'cli-schema' command-line tool itself,
 # using the canonical schema.
-command: cli-schema
-description: Canonical JSON Schema for declarative CLI definitions
-version: '1.0.6'
-
-# Defines the positional arguments for the command.
-arguments:
-  - name: filesToValidate
-    description: One or more files to validate against the schema.
-    type: string
-    # 'required: false' makes this argument optional, equivalent to [files...].
-    # If this was 'required: true', it would be equivalent to <files...>.
-    required: false
-    variadic: true
-
-# Defines the options (flags) for the command.
-# These are standard options automatically provided by commander.js.
-options:
-  - name: help
-    short: h
-    description: Display help for command
-    type: boolean
-  - name: version
-    short: V
-    description: Output the version number
-    type: boolean
+cli:
+  command: cli-schema
+  description: Canonical JSON Schema for declarative CLI definitions
+  version: '1.0.6'
+
+  # Defines the positional arguments for the command.
+  arguments:
+    - name: filesToValidate
+      description: One or more files to validate against the schema.
+      type: string
+      # 'required: false' makes this argument optional, equivalent to [files...].
+      # If this was 'required: true', it would be equivalent to <files...>.
+      required: false
+      variadic: true
+
+  # Defines the options (flags) for the command.
+  # These are standard options automatically provided by commander.js.
+  options:
+    - name: help
+      short: h
+      description: Display help for command
+      type: boolean
+    - name: version
+      short: V
+      description: Output the version number
+      type: boolean
 ```
 
 ---
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2a7e570..7c8a912 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ While the examples show a simple command, the schema is designed to handle enter
 
 ## Schema Reference
 
+All CLI definitions must be nested under a top-level `cli` object. This root object contains all the commands, arguments, and options that define your command-line interface.
+
 The `cli-schema` defines the structure for your CLI definition file. Here are the main building blocks:
 
 ### The `command` Object
diff --git a/examples/cli-schema.definition.yml b/examples/cli-schema.definition.yml
index e3edaea..4ba78c2 100644
--- a/examples/cli-schema.definition.yml
+++ b/examples/cli-schema.definition.yml
@@ -1,27 +1,28 @@
 # This file defines the 'cli-schema' command-line tool itself,
 # using the canonical schema.
-command: cli-schema
-description: Canonical JSON Schema for declarative CLI definitions
-version: '1.0.6'
+cli:
+  command: cli-schema
+  description: Canonical JSON Schema for declarative CLI definitions
+  version: '1.0.6'
 
-# Defines the positional arguments for the command.
-arguments:
-  - name: filesToValidate
-    description: One or more files to validate against the schema.
-    type: string
-    # 'required: false' makes this argument optional, equivalent to [files...].
-    # If this was 'required: true', it would be equivalent to <files...>.
-    required: false
-    variadic: true
+  # Defines the positional arguments for the command.
+  arguments:
+    - name: filesToValidate
+      description: One or more files to validate against the schema.
+      type: string
+      # 'required: false' makes this argument optional, equivalent to [files...].
+      # If this was 'required: true', it would be equivalent to <files...>.
+      required: false
+      variadic: true
 
-# Defines the options (flags) for the command.
-# These are standard options automatically provided by commander.js.
-options:
-  - name: help
-    alias: h
-    description: display help for command
-    type: boolean
-  - name: version
-    alias: V
-    description: output the version number
-    type: boolean
+  # Defines the options (flags) for the command.
+  # These are standard options automatically provided by commander.js.
+  options:
+    - name: help
+      alias: h
+      description: display help for command
+      type: boolean
+    - name: version
+      alias: V
+      description: output the version number
+      type: boolean
diff --git a/schema/cli.schema.json b/schema/cli.schema.json
index 506bf21..df76f78 100644
--- a/schema/cli.schema.json
+++ b/schema/cli.schema.json
@@ -126,5 +126,6 @@
       ],
       "additionalProperties": false
     }
-  }
+  },
+  "required": ["cli"]
 }