diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cf18f15..382a7b1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,10 +28,10 @@ go build -o ax .
 ax init .
 
 # Create an issue
-ax create "Implement feature X" --tag backend --prio high
+ax add "Implement feature X" --tag backend --prio high
 
 # Create with relations
-ax create "Fix bug in auth" --rel blocks:abc12
+ax add "Fix bug in auth" --rel blocks:abc12
 
 # List open issues
 ax list --status open
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ ax alias mywork "list --namespace myproject --status open" --desc "My project ta
 
 Create a new `.ax.db` database in the specified directory (default: current).
 
-### `ax create <title> [flags]`
+### `ax add <title> [flags]`
 
 Create a new node.
 
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ Query and list nodes.
 
 Open node content in `$EDITOR`.
 
-### `ax delete <id> [-f|--force]`
+### `ax del <id> [-f|--force]`
 
 Delete a node. Prompts for confirmation unless `--force`.
 
@@ -163,10 +163,10 @@ Relations connect nodes together:
 
 ```bash
 # Create subtask
-ax create "Write tests" --rel subtask:abc12
+ax add "Write tests" --rel subtask:abc12
 
 # Block an issue
-ax create "Fix login" --rel blocks:def34
+ax add "Fix login" --rel blocks:def34
 
 # Assign to user
 ax update abc12 --rel assignee:alice
@@ -178,10 +178,10 @@ Tags are flexible labels. Tags with pattern `_key::value` are properties:
 
 ```bash
 # Regular tag
-ax create "Task" --tag backend
+ax add "Task" --tag backend
 
 # Property tags (set via flags)
-ax create "Task" --type issue --status open --prio high
+ax add "Task" --type issue --status open --prio high
 # Equivalent to: --tag _type::issue --tag _status::open --tag _prio::high
 ```
 
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ ax create "Task" --type issue --status open --prio high
 Use `@username` in title or content to automatically add to user's inbox:
 
 ```bash
-ax create "Review PR @alice" --content "@bob please check"
+ax add "Review PR @alice" --content "@bob please check"
 # Both alice and bob get this in their inbox
 ```
 
diff --git a/cmd/create.go b/cmd/add.go
similarity index 86%
rename from cmd/create.go
rename to cmd/add.go
index 554085e..29df469 100644
--- a/cmd/create.go
+++ b/cmd/add.go
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ import (
 var cDue, cContent string
 var cTags, cRels []string
 
-var createCmd = &cobra.Command{
-	Use: "create <title>", Short: "Create a new node", Args: cobra.ExactArgs(1),
+var addCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use: "add <title>", Short: "Create a new node", Args: cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		d, err := db.GetDB()
 		if err != nil {
@@ -59,10 +59,10 @@ var createCmd = &cobra.Command{
 }
 
 func init() {
-	rootCmd.AddCommand(createCmd)
-	addPropertyFlags(createCmd)
-	createCmd.Flags().Set("type", "issue")
-	f := createCmd.Flags()
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(addCmd)
+	addPropertyFlags(addCmd)
+	addCmd.Flags().Set("type", "issue")
+	f := addCmd.Flags()
 	f.StringVar(&cDue, "due", "", "")
 	f.StringVar(&cContent, "content", "", "")
 	f.StringArrayVar(&cTags, "tag", nil, "")
diff --git a/cmd/alias.go b/cmd/alias.go
index 61e6289..3fb7a10 100644
--- a/cmd/alias.go
+++ b/cmd/alias.go
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ var aliasCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	},
 }
 
-var aliasDeleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
-	Use: "delete <name>", Short: "Delete an alias", Args: cobra.ExactArgs(1),
+var aliasDelCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use: "del <name>", Short: "Delete an alias", Args: cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		if err := cfg.DeleteAlias(args[0]); err != nil {
 			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
@@ -51,6 +51,6 @@ var aliasDeleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
 
 func init() {
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(aliasCmd)
-	aliasCmd.AddCommand(aliasDeleteCmd)
+	aliasCmd.AddCommand(aliasDelCmd)
 	aliasCmd.Flags().StringVar(&aliasDesc, "desc", "", "description for the alias")
 }
diff --git a/cmd/delete.go b/cmd/del.go
similarity index 82%
rename from cmd/delete.go
rename to cmd/del.go
index 56e7ab6..f1f16e3 100644
--- a/cmd/delete.go
+++ b/cmd/del.go
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ import (
 )
 
 var dForce bool
-var deleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
-	Use: "delete <id>", Short: "Delete a node", Args: cobra.ExactArgs(1),
+var delCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use: "del <id>", Short: "Delete a node", Args: cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		d, err := db.GetDB()
 		if err != nil {
@@ -46,6 +46,6 @@ var deleteCmd = &cobra.Command{
 }
 
 func init() {
-	rootCmd.AddCommand(deleteCmd)
-	deleteCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&dForce, "force", "f", false, "")
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(delCmd)
+	delCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&dForce, "force", "f", false, "")
 }
diff --git a/service/fileconfig.go b/service/fileconfig.go
index 7aeb9d6..6514c65 100644
--- a/service/fileconfig.go
+++ b/service/fileconfig.go
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ type fileConfig struct {
 var defaultAliases = []*Alias{
 	{Name: "mine", Command: "list --assignee $me --tag _status::open", Description: "Show open tasks assigned to you"},
 	{Name: "due", Command: "list --tag _status::open --tag _due", Description: "Show open tasks with due dates"},
-	{Name: "new", Command: "create $@", Description: "Create a new task"},
+	{Name: "new", Command: "add $@", Description: "Create a new task"},
 }
 
 func LoadConfig() (Config, error) {