diff --git a/src/hermes/commands/deposit/base.py b/src/hermes/commands/deposit/base.py
index a0493ab1..42c50d53 100644
--- a/src/hermes/commands/deposit/base.py
+++ b/src/hermes/commands/deposit/base.py
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ def __init__(self, click_ctx: click.Context, ctx: CodeMetaContext) -> None:
         self.ctx = ctx
 
     def __call__(self) -> None:
+        """Initiate the deposition process.
+
+        This calls a list of additional methods on the class, none of which need to be implemented.
+        """
         self.prepare()
         self.map_metadata()
 
@@ -29,28 +33,49 @@ def __call__(self) -> None:
         self.publish()
 
     def prepare(self) -> None:
+        """Prepare the deposition.
+
+        This method may be implemented to check whether config and context match some initial conditions.
+
+        If no exceptions are raised, execution continues.
+        """
         pass
 
     def map_metadata(self) -> None:
+        """Map the given metadata to the target schema of the deposition platform."""
         pass
 
     def is_initial_publication(self) -> bool:
+        """Decide whether to do an initial publication or publish a new version.
+
+        Returning ``True`` indicates that publication of an initial version will be executed, resulting in a call of
+        :meth:`create_initial_version`. ``False`` indicates a new version of an existing publication, leading to a call
+        of :meth:`create_new_version`.
+
+        By default, this returns ``True``.
+        """
         return True
 
     def create_initial_version(self) -> None:
+        """Create an initial version of the publication on the target platform."""
         pass
 
     def create_new_version(self) -> None:
+        """Create a new version of an existing publication on the target platform."""
         pass
 
     def update_metadata(self) -> None:
+        """Update the metadata of the newly created version."""
         pass
 
     def delete_artifacts(self) -> None:
+        """Delete any superfluous artifacts taken from the previous version of the publication."""
         pass
 
     def upload_artifacts(self) -> None:
+        """Upload new artifacts to the target platform."""
         pass
 
     def publish(self) -> None:
+        """Publish the newly created deposit on the target platform."""
         pass