diff --git a/ENVIRONMENT.md b/ENVIRONMENT.md
index beaeefe..504d836 100644
--- a/ENVIRONMENT.md
+++ b/ENVIRONMENT.md
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ The `run.ts` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `CDN_URL`
 
-_**CDN to use when serving static assets**_
+_CDN to use when serving static assets_
 
 The `CDN_URL` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **URL** values.
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export CDN_URL=https://host.example.org/path/to/resource # URL (absolute)
 
 ## `DEBUG`
 
-_**Enable or disable debugging features**_
+_Enable or disable debugging features_
 
 The `DEBUG` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `true` or `false`.
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ export DEBUG=false # false
 
 ## `EARTH_ATOM_COUNT`
 
-_**Number of atoms on earth**_
+_Number of atoms on earth_
 
 The `EARTH_ATOM_COUNT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **big integer** values.
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ export EARTH_ATOM_COUNT=0b11110001001000000 # binary
 
 ## `GRPC_TIMEOUT`
 
-_**GRPC request timeout**_
+_GRPC request timeout_
 
 The `GRPC_TIMEOUT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **ISO 8601 duration** values.
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ export GRPC_TIMEOUT=P1M15DT12H # ISO 8601 duration
 
 ## `LOG_LEVEL`
 
-_**The minimum log level to record**_
+_The minimum log level to record_
 
 The `LOG_LEVEL` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `debug`, `info`, `warn`, `error`, or `fatal`.
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ export LOG_LEVEL=fatal # the application cannot proceed
 
 ## `PORT`
 
-_**Listen port for the HTTP server**_
+_Listen port for the HTTP server_
 
 The `PORT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ export PORT=12345 # a port number
 
 ## `READ_DSN`
 
-_**Database connection string for read-models**_
+_Database connection string for read-models_
 
 The `READ_DSN` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **string** values.
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ export READ_DSN='alabaster parakeet' # some values may need escaping
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service host**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service host_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **hostname** values.
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ export REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST=10.0.0.11 # an IP address
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service port**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service port_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ export REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT=12345 # a port number
 
 ## `SAMPLE_RATIO`
 
-_**Ratio of requests to sample**_
+_Ratio of requests to sample_
 
 The `SAMPLE_RATIO` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **number** values.
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ export SAMPLE_RATIO=0b11110001001000000 # binary
 
 ## `SESSION_KEY`
 
-_**Session token signing key**_
+_Session token signing key_
 
 The `SESSION_KEY` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **base64** values.
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ export SESSION_KEY=Y29ucXVpc3RhZG9y # base64 encoded string
 
 ## `WEIGHT`
 
-_**Weighting for this node**_
+_Weighting for this node_
 
 The `WEIGHT` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **integer** values.
diff --git a/src/specification.ts b/src/specification.ts
index 00d0177..7520a5b 100644
--- a/src/specification.ts
+++ b/src/specification.ts
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ function variable(variable: Variable<unknown>): string {
 
   return `## ${inlineCode(name)}
 
-${italic(strong(uppercaseFirst(description)))}
+${italic(uppercaseFirst(description))}
 
 ${variable.spec.schema.accept(createSchemaRenderer(variable))}
 
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/default.md
index 632a293..20d08dd 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/default.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `WEIGHT`
 
-_**Weighting for this node**_
+_Weighting for this node_
 
 The `WEIGHT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **big integer** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/optional.md
index 7465ca1..2d8ca45 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/optional.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `WEIGHT`
 
-_**Weighting for this node**_
+_Weighting for this node_
 
 The `WEIGHT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **big integer** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/required.md
index 0341c43..c8d6d7b 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/big-integer/required.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `WEIGHT`
 
-_**Weighting for this node**_
+_Weighting for this node_
 
 The `WEIGHT` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **big integer** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/binary/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/binary/default.md
index 7231185..5b67b3a 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/binary/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/binary/default.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `SESSION_KEY`
 
-_**Session token signing key**_
+_Session token signing key_
 
 The `SESSION_KEY` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **base64** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/binary/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/binary/optional.md
index a1c4925..a3f3d17 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/binary/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/binary/optional.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `SESSION_KEY`
 
-_**Session token signing key**_
+_Session token signing key_
 
 The `SESSION_KEY` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **base64** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/binary/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/binary/required.md
index 407bfa2..bfd187d 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/binary/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/binary/required.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `SESSION_KEY`
 
-_**Session token signing key**_
+_Session token signing key_
 
 The `SESSION_KEY` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **base64** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/boolean/custom-literals.md b/test/fixture/specification/boolean/custom-literals.md
index ceccfab..baed079 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/boolean/custom-literals.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/boolean/custom-literals.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `DEBUG`
 
-_**Enable or disable debugging features**_
+_Enable or disable debugging features_
 
 The `DEBUG` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `y`, `yes`, `n`, or `no`.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/boolean/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/boolean/default.md
index 8476c82..c845a62 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/boolean/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/boolean/default.md
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `DEBUG`
 
-_**Enable or disable debugging features**_
+_Enable or disable debugging features_
 
 The `DEBUG` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `true` or `false`.
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export DEBUG=false # false
 
 ## `PRODUCTION`
 
-_**Enable or disable production mode**_
+_Enable or disable production mode_
 
 The `PRODUCTION` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `true` or `false`.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/boolean/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/boolean/optional.md
index 747fc79..c58f5ba 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/boolean/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/boolean/optional.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `DEBUG`
 
-_**Enable or disable debugging features**_
+_Enable or disable debugging features_
 
 The `DEBUG` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `true` or `false`.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/boolean/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/boolean/required.md
index 3451208..8738447 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/boolean/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/boolean/required.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `DEBUG`
 
-_**Enable or disable debugging features**_
+_Enable or disable debugging features_
 
 The `DEBUG` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes `true` or `false`.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/duration/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/duration/default.md
index c3da0c9..635301e 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/duration/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/duration/default.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `GRPC_TIMEOUT`
 
-_**GRPC request timeout**_
+_GRPC request timeout_
 
 The `GRPC_TIMEOUT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **ISO 8601 duration** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/duration/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/duration/optional.md
index c6f4d28..5082c4c 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/duration/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/duration/optional.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `GRPC_TIMEOUT`
 
-_**GRPC request timeout**_
+_GRPC request timeout_
 
 The `GRPC_TIMEOUT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **ISO 8601 duration** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/duration/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/duration/required.md
index d4ec302..2ca9201 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/duration/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/duration/required.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `GRPC_TIMEOUT`
 
-_**GRPC request timeout**_
+_GRPC request timeout_
 
 The `GRPC_TIMEOUT` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **ISO 8601 duration** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/default.md
index e0b03ff..dc734ab 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/default.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `LOG_LEVEL`
 
-_**The minimum log level to record**_
+_The minimum log level to record_
 
 The `LOG_LEVEL` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `debug`, `info`, `warn`, `error`, or `fatal`.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/optional.md
index 169089e..1d64f25 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/optional.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `LOG_LEVEL`
 
-_**The minimum log level to record**_
+_The minimum log level to record_
 
 The `LOG_LEVEL` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `debug`, `info`, `warn`, `error`, or `fatal`.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/required.md
index 6a4e424..09603b6 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/enumeration/required.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `LOG_LEVEL`
 
-_**The minimum log level to record**_
+_The minimum log level to record_
 
 The `LOG_LEVEL` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes `debug`, `info`, `warn`, `error`, or `fatal`.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/integer/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/integer/default.md
index 537c4c7..ec183a8 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/integer/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/integer/default.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `WEIGHT`
 
-_**Weighting for this node**_
+_Weighting for this node_
 
 The `WEIGHT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **integer** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/integer/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/integer/optional.md
index c6ab15b..c99bab3 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/integer/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/integer/optional.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `WEIGHT`
 
-_**Weighting for this node**_
+_Weighting for this node_
 
 The `WEIGHT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **integer** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/integer/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/integer/required.md
index dc736fa..759156b 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/integer/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/integer/required.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `WEIGHT`
 
-_**Weighting for this node**_
+_Weighting for this node_
 
 The `WEIGHT` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **integer** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/default.md
index 49ab1ec..32e4c18 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/default.md
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service host**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service host_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **hostname** values.
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST=10.0.0.11 # an IP address
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service port**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service port_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/named-ports.md b/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/named-ports.md
index eaf79b1..3aec818 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/named-ports.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/named-ports.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service host**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service host_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **hostname** values.
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ export REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST=10.0.0.11 # an IP address
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT_DB`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service `db` port**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service `db` port_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT_DB` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ export REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT_DB=12345 # a port number
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT_OBSERVABILITY`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service `observability` port**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service `observability` port_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT_OBSERVABILITY` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/optional.md
index a6af6a6..5d81f91 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/optional.md
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service host**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service host_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **hostname** values.
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ export REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST=10.0.0.11 # an IP address
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service port**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service port_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/required.md
index a25ce9f..e1d22ed 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/kubernetes-address/required.md
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service host**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service host_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **hostname** values.
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ export REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_HOST=10.0.0.11 # an IP address
 
 ## `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT`
 
-_**Kubernetes `redis-primary` service port**_
+_Kubernetes `redis-primary` service port_
 
 The `REDIS_PRIMARY_SERVICE_PORT` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/default.md
index 84ca3e1..ec11df6 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/default.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `PORT`
 
-_**Listen port for the HTTP server**_
+_Listen port for the HTTP server_
 
 The `PORT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/optional.md
index 0184ced..dd6e399 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/optional.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `PORT`
 
-_**Listen port for the HTTP server**_
+_Listen port for the HTTP server_
 
 The `PORT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/required.md
index 590f379..82bbb8f 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/network-port-number/required.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `PORT`
 
-_**Listen port for the HTTP server**_
+_Listen port for the HTTP server_
 
 The `PORT` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/number/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/number/default.md
index d3b62ff..831c308 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/number/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/number/default.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `WEIGHT`
 
-_**Weighting for this node**_
+_Weighting for this node_
 
 The `WEIGHT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **number** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/number/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/number/optional.md
index 006e251..cba3653 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/number/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/number/optional.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `WEIGHT`
 
-_**Weighting for this node**_
+_Weighting for this node_
 
 The `WEIGHT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **number** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/number/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/number/required.md
index d0fa30d..acb5f28 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/number/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/number/required.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `WEIGHT`
 
-_**Weighting for this node**_
+_Weighting for this node_
 
 The `WEIGHT` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **number** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/sensitive.md b/test/fixture/specification/sensitive.md
index bc8affb..c21df6d 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/sensitive.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/sensitive.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_BINARY`
 
-_**Example binary**_
+_Example binary_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_BINARY` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **base64** values.
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_BINARY=Y29ucXVpc3RhZG9y # base64 encoded string
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_BOOLEAN`
 
-_**Example boolean**_
+_Example boolean_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_BOOLEAN` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `y`, `yes`, `n`, or `no`.
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_BOOLEAN=no # false
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_DURATION`
 
-_**Example duration**_
+_Example duration_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_DURATION` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **ISO 8601 duration** values.
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_DURATION=P1M15DT12H # ISO 8601 duration
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_ENUMERATION`
 
-_**Example enumeration**_
+_Example enumeration_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_ENUMERATION` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `foo`, `bar`, or `baz`.
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_ENUMERATION=baz # baz
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_INTEGER`
 
-_**Example integer**_
+_Example integer_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_INTEGER` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **integer** values.
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_INTEGER=0b11110001001000000 # binary
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_INTEGER_BIG`
 
-_**Example big integer**_
+_Example big integer_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_INTEGER_BIG` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **big integer** values.
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_INTEGER_BIG=0b11110001001000000 # binary
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_NUMBER`
 
-_**Example number**_
+_Example number_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_NUMBER` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **number** values.
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_NUMBER=0b11110001001000000 # binary
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_PORT_NUMBER`
 
-_**Example port number**_
+_Example port number_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_PORT_NUMBER` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_PORT_NUMBER=12345 # a port number
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_STRING`
 
-_**Example string**_
+_Example string_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_STRING` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **string** values.
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_STRING='alabaster parakeet' # some values may need escaping
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_SVC_SERVICE_HOST`
 
-_**Kubernetes `austenite-svc` service host**_
+_Kubernetes `austenite-svc` service host_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_SVC_SERVICE_HOST` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **hostname** values.
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_SVC_SERVICE_HOST=10.0.0.11 # an IP address
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_SVC_SERVICE_PORT`
 
-_**Kubernetes `austenite-svc` service port**_
+_Kubernetes `austenite-svc` service port_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_SVC_SERVICE_PORT` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **port number** values.
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_SVC_SERVICE_PORT=12345 # a port number
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_URL`
 
-_**Example URL**_
+_Example URL_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_URL` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **URL** values.
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ export AUSTENITE_URL=https://host.example.org/path/to/resource # URL (absolute)
 
 ## `AUSTENITE_XTRIGGER`
 
-_**Trigger failure**_
+_Trigger failure_
 
 The `AUSTENITE_XTRIGGER` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **string** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/string/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/string/default.md
index c0f1676..1f8b409 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/string/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/string/default.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `READ_DSN`
 
-_**Database connection string for read-models**_
+_Database connection string for read-models_
 
 The `READ_DSN` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **string** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/string/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/string/optional.md
index 9f5d228..616afb9 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/string/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/string/optional.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `READ_DSN`
 
-_**Database connection string for read-models**_
+_Database connection string for read-models_
 
 The `READ_DSN` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **string** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/string/quoting.md b/test/fixture/specification/string/quoting.md
index 50f38cd..f54dfa4 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/string/quoting.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/string/quoting.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `MESSAGE`
 
-_**Message to output**_
+_Message to output_
 
 The `MESSAGE` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **string** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/string/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/string/required.md
index 67bf1b8..b0a9534 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/string/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/string/required.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `READ_DSN`
 
-_**Database connection string for read-models**_
+_Database connection string for read-models_
 
 The `READ_DSN` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **string** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/url/base.md b/test/fixture/specification/url/base.md
index b4cee72..255580d 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/url/base.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/url/base.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `LOGO`
 
-_**Main logo image**_
+_Main logo image_
 
 The `LOGO` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **URL** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/url/default.md b/test/fixture/specification/url/default.md
index fb7d978..6cfd1bf 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/url/default.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/url/default.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `CDN_URL`
 
-_**CDN to use when serving static assets**_
+_CDN to use when serving static assets_
 
 The `CDN_URL` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **URL** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/url/optional.md b/test/fixture/specification/url/optional.md
index 2c5e792..dc8caab 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/url/optional.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/url/optional.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `CDN_URL`
 
-_**CDN to use when serving static assets**_
+_CDN to use when serving static assets_
 
 The `CDN_URL` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes **URL** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/url/protocols.md b/test/fixture/specification/url/protocols.md
index b955e92..7a26c44 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/url/protocols.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/url/protocols.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `SOCKET_SERVER`
 
-_**WebSocket server to use**_
+_WebSocket server to use_
 
 The `SOCKET_SERVER` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **URL** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/url/required.md b/test/fixture/specification/url/required.md
index 5ee4ee0..69025c6 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/url/required.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/url/required.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `CDN_URL`
 
-_**CDN to use when serving static assets**_
+_CDN to use when serving static assets_
 
 The `CDN_URL` variable is a **required** variable
 that takes **URL** values.
diff --git a/test/fixture/specification/usage.md b/test/fixture/specification/usage.md
index 747fc79..c58f5ba 100644
--- a/test/fixture/specification/usage.md
+++ b/test/fixture/specification/usage.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ The `<app>` app uses **declarative environment variables** powered by
 
 ## `DEBUG`
 
-_**Enable or disable debugging features**_
+_Enable or disable debugging features_
 
 The `DEBUG` variable is an **optional** variable
 that takes `true` or `false`.