@@ -, +, @@ 
---
 xdocs/css/new-style.css                   |  7 +++
 xdocs/css/style.css                       |  6 +++
 xdocs/stylesheets/site_printable.vsl      |  6 +++
 xdocs/stylesheets/website-style.xsl       |  4 ++
 xdocs/usermanual/curl.xml                 | 56 +++++++++++------------
 xdocs/usermanual/generating-dashboard.xml | 16 +++----
 xdocs/usermanual/get-started.xml          | 40 ++++++++--------
 7 files changed, 79 insertions(+), 56 deletions(-)
--- a/xdocs/css/new-style.css	
+++ a/xdocs/css/new-style.css	
@@ -428,6 +428,13 @@ table {
   background-color: white;
 }
 
+.placeholder {
+  font-style: italic;
+  font-weight: normal;
+  text-decoration-line: underline;
+  text-decoration-style: dashed;
+}
+
 @media screen and (max-width: 1000px) {
   .nav {
   width: 100%;
--- a/xdocs/css/style.css	
+++ a/xdocs/css/style.css	
@@ -48,3 +48,9 @@ a[name]:hover:after{
 .guimenuitem {
   font-style: italic;
 }
+
+.placeholder {
+  font-style: italic;
+  font-weight: bold;
+  color: darkgreen;
+}
--- a/xdocs/stylesheets/site_printable.vsl	
+++ a/xdocs/stylesheets/site_printable.vsl	
@@ -339,6 +339,8 @@ Contributed by $id.getAttributeValue("name") <$id.getAttributeValue("mail")&g
 #guimenuitem ($node)
 #elseif ($node.getName().equals("description"))
 #description ($node)
+#elseif ($node.getName().equals("placeholder"))
+#placeholder ($node)
 #else
 #outputTag($node)
 #runloop($node)
@@ -370,6 +372,10 @@ Contributed by $id.getAttributeValue("name") <$id.getAttributeValue("mail")&g
 </$tag.getName()>##
 #end
 
+#macro (placeholder $node)
+<span class="placeholder">#runloop($node)</span>##
+#end
+
 #macro (menuchoice $items)
  <span class="menuchoice">
  #foreach ($item in $items.getChildren("guimenuitem"))#guimenuitem($item)#if ($foreach.hasNext)&nbsp;&rarr;&nbsp;#end#end
--- a/xdocs/stylesheets/website-style.xsl	
+++ a/xdocs/stylesheets/website-style.xsl	
@@ -689,4 +689,8 @@ 
     </span>
   </xsl:template>
 
+  <xsl:template match="placeholder">
+    <span class="placeholder"><xsl:apply-templates /></span>
+  </xsl:template>
+
 </xsl:stylesheet>
--- a/xdocs/usermanual/curl.xml	
+++ a/xdocs/usermanual/curl.xml	
@@ -55,15 +55,15 @@ Create a Test Plan From a cURL Command
 <subsection name="&sect-num;.2 Curl options supported" anchor="curl_options">
 
 <dl>
-  <dt><code>-H</code>, <code>--header &lt;header&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>-H</code>, <code>--header <placeholder>header</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Extra header to use when getting a web page.</dd>
-  <dt><code>-X</code>, <code>--request &lt;command&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>-X</code>, <code>--request <placeholder>command</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Specifies a custom request method to use when communicating with the HTTP server.</dd>
   <dt><code>--compressed</code></dt>
   <dd>Request a compressed response using one of the algorithms curl supports, and return the uncompressed document.</dd>
-  <dt><code>-A</code>, <code>--user-agent &lt;agent string&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>-A</code>, <code>--user-agent <placeholder>agent string</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Specify the User-Agent string to send to the HTTP server.</dd>
-  <dt><code>-b</code>, <code>--cookie &lt;name=data&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>-b</code>, <code>--cookie <placeholder>name=data</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Pass the data to the HTTP server as a cookie.</dd>
   <dt><code>-d</code> and friends</dt>
   <dd><p>Sending data via POST request</p>
@@ -72,17 +72,17 @@ Create a Test Plan From a cURL Command
     separating '<code>&amp;</code>' character. Thus, using '<code>-d name=daniel -d skill=lousy</code>' would generate a POST
     chunk that looks like '<code>name=daniel&amp;skill=lousy</code>'.</p>
     <dl>
-      <dt><code>-d</code>, <code>--data &lt;data&gt;</code>, <code>--data-ascii &lt;data&gt;</code></dt>
+      <dt><code>-d</code>, <code>--data <placeholder>data</placeholder></code>, <code>--data-ascii <placeholder>data</placeholder></code></dt>
       <dd>use <code>@</code> to upload a file</dd>
-      <dt><code>--data-raw &lt;data&gt;</code>gt;</dt>
+      <dt><code>--data-raw <placeholder>data</placeholder></code></dt>
       <dd></dd>
-      <dt><code>--data-raw &lt;data&gt;</code></dt>
+      <dt><code>--data-raw <placeholder>data</placeholder></code></dt>
       <dd>This posts data exactly as specified with no extra processing whatsoever.
         If you start the data with the character <code>@,</code> the rest should be a filename.</dd>
-      <dt><code>--data-raw &lt;data&gt;</code>ta&gt;</dt>
+      <dt><code>--data-raw <placeholder>data</placeholder></code></dt>
       <dd>This posts data, similar to the other <code>--data</code> options with the exception that this performs
         URL-encoding.</dd>
-      <dt><code>--data-raw &lt;data&gt;</code></dt>
+      <dt><code>--data-raw <placeholder>data</placeholder></code></dt>
       <dd>This posts data similarly to <code>--data</code> but without the special interpretation
         of the <code>@</code> character.</dd>
     </dl>
@@ -91,13 +91,13 @@ Create a Test Plan From a cURL Command
   <dd>
     <p>This lets curl emulate a filled-in form in which a user has pressed the submit button.</p>
     <dl>
-      <dt><code>-F</code>, <code>--form &lt;name=content&gt;</code></dt>
+      <dt><code>-F</code>, <code>--form <placeholder>name=content</placeholder></code></dt>
       <dd>use <code>@</code> to upload a file</dd>
-      <dt><code>--form-string &lt;name=content&gt;</code></dt>
+      <dt><code>--form-string <placeholder>name=content</placeholder></code></dt>
       <dd></dd>
     </dl>
   </dd>
-  <dt><code>-u</code>, --user &lt;user:password &gt;</dt>
+  <dt><code>-u</code>, --user <placeholder>user:password </placeholder></dt>
   <dd>Specify user and password to use for server authentication.</dd>
   <dt><code>--basic</code>, <code>--digest</code></dt>
   <dd>Tells curl to use HTTP authentication.</dd>
@@ -105,35 +105,35 @@ Create a Test Plan From a cURL Command
   <dd>
     <p>Tells curl to use the specified client certificate file when getting a file with HTTPS</p>
     <dl>
-      <dt><code>--cacert &lt;CA certificate&gt;</code></dt>
-      <dt><code>--capath  &lt;CA certificate directory&gt;</code></dt>
-      <dt><code>--ciphers &lt;list of ciphers&gt;</code></dt>
+      <dt><code>--cacert <placeholder>CA certificate</placeholder></code></dt>
+      <dt><code>--capath  <placeholder>CA certificate directory</placeholder></code></dt>
+      <dt><code>--ciphers <placeholder>list of ciphers</placeholder></code></dt>
       <dt><code>--cert-status</code></dt>
-      <dt><code>--cert-type &lt;type&gt;</code></dt>
+      <dt><code>--cert-type <placeholder>type</placeholder></code></dt>
     </dl>
   </dd>
   <dt><code>-G</code>, <code>--get</code></dt>
   <dd>put the post data in the URL and use get to replace post.</dd>
   <dt><code>--no-keepalive</code></dt>
   <dd>Disables the use of keepalive messages on the TCP connection.</dd>
-  <dt><code>-e</code>, <code>--referer &lt;URL&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>-e</code>, <code>--referer <placeholder>URL</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Sends the <em>Referer Page</em> information to the HTTP server.</dd>
   <dt><code>-L</code>, <code>--location</code></dt>
   <dd>If the server reports that the requested page has moved to a different location
     this option will make curl redo the request on the new place.</dd>
   <dt><code>-i</code>, <code>--include</code></dt>
   <dd>Include the HTTP-header in the output.</dd>
-  <dt><code>--connect-timeout &lt;seconds&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>--connect-timeout <placeholder>seconds</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Maximum time in seconds that the connection to the server may take.</dd>
-  <dt><code>--keepalive-time &lt;seconds&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>--keepalive-time <placeholder>seconds</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>This option sets the time a connection needs to remain idle before sending keepalive probes
     and the time between individual keepalive probes.</dd>
-  <dt><code>-m</code>, <code>--max-time  &lt;seconds&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>-m</code>, <code>--max-time  <placeholder>seconds</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Maximum time in seconds that you allow the whole operation to take.</dd>
-  <dt><code>-x</code>, <code>--proxy &lt;[protocol://][user:password@]proxyhost[:port]&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>-x</code>, <code>--proxy <placeholder>[protocol://][user:password@]proxyhost[:port]</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Use the specified HTTP proxy. If the port number is not specified,
     it is assumed at port <code>1080</code>.</dd>
-  <dt><code>-U</code>, <code>--proxy-user  &lt;user:password&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>-U</code>, <code>--proxy-user  <placeholder>user:password</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Specify user and password to use for proxy authentication.</dd>
   <dt><code>-k</code>, <code>--insecure</code></dt>
   <dd>This option explicitly allows curl to perform <em>insecure</em> SSL connections and transfers.</dd>
@@ -141,19 +141,19 @@ Create a Test Plan From a cURL Command
   <dd>When used, it disables all internal HTTP decoding of content or transfer encodings and instead makes them passed on unaltered,raw.</dd>
   <dt><code>-I</code>, <code>--head</code></dt>
   <dd>Fetch the HTTP-header only. HTTP-servers feature the method <code>HEAD</code> which this uses to get nothing but the header of a document.</dd>
-  <dt><code>--interface &lt;name&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>--interface <placeholder>name</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Perform an operation using a specified interface. You can enter interface name, IP address or host name.</dd>
   <dt><code>--proxy-ntlm</code>/<code>--proxy-negotiate</code></dt>
   <dd>Tells curl to use HTTP BASIC/NTLM/Digest authentication when communicating with the given proxy.</dd>
-  <dt><code>--dns-servers &lt;addresses&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>--dns-servers <placeholder>addresses</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Resolve host name over DOH.</dd>
-  <dt><code>--resolve &lt;host:port:address&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>--resolve <placeholder>host:port:address</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Provide a custom address for a specific host and port pair.</dd>
-  <dt><code>--limit-rate &lt;speed&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>--limit-rate <placeholder>speed</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Specify the maximum transfer rate you want curl to use.</dd>
-  <dt><code>--max-redirs &lt;num&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>--max-redirs <placeholder>num</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Set maximum number of redirections which may be followed.</dd>
-  <dt><code>--noproxy &lt;no-proxy-list&gt;</code></dt>
+  <dt><code>--noproxy <placeholder>no-proxy-list</placeholder></code></dt>
   <dd>Comma-separated list of hosts which do not use a proxy, if one is specified.</dd>
 </dl>
 
--- a/xdocs/usermanual/generating-dashboard.xml	
+++ a/xdocs/usermanual/generating-dashboard.xml	
@@ -279,14 +279,14 @@ jmeter.save.saveservice.timestamp_format = ms
                     <subsection name="&sect-num;.2.3.2 Specific properties" anchor="specific_graph_properties">
                         <p>
                             Specific graph properties must use the prefix:
-                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.graph.&lt;graph_id&gt;.property</source>
+                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.graph.<placeholder>graph_id</placeholder>.property</source>
                             The name of the property will be mapped using camel case
                             transformation and the matching method of the class will be
                             called with the property value as argument.
                         </p>
                         <p>
                             E.g.:
-                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.graph.&lt;graph_id&gt;.property.set_granularity=150</source>
+                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.graph.<placeholder>graph_id</placeholder>.property.set_granularity=150</source>
                             induces the call of the method <code>setGranularity(150)</code> on the
                             instance of the graph.
                         </p>
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ jmeter.save.saveservice.timestamp_format = ms
                     <subsection name="&sect-num;.2.4.2 Specific properties" anchor="specific_export_properties">
                         <p>
                             Specific exporter properties must use the prefix
-                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.exporter.&lt;exporter_id&gt;.property</source>
+                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.exporter.<placeholder>exporter_id</placeholder>.property</source>
                         </p>
                         <properties>
                             <property name="output_dir" required="No">
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ jmeter.save.saveservice.timestamp_format = ms
                             Graph properties allow exporters to overwrite some graph data.
                             <br />
                             They must use the prefix:
-                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.exporter.&lt;exporter_id&gt;.graph_options.&lt;graph_id&gt;</source>
+                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.exporter.<placeholder>exporter_id</placeholder>.graph_options.<placeholder>graph_id</placeholder></source>
                         </p>
                         <properties>
                             <property name="minX" required="No">Sets the minimum
@@ -587,14 +587,14 @@ jmeter.reportgenerator.exporter.html.filters_only_sample_series=true
                 <subsection name="&sect-num;.3.1 Generation from an existing sample CSV log file" anchor="report_only">
                     <p>
                         Use the following command:
-                        <source>jmeter -g &lt;log file&gt; -o &lt;Path to output folder&gt;</source>
+                        <source>jmeter -g <placeholder>log file</placeholder> -o <placeholder>Path to output folder</placeholder></source>
                     </p>
                 </subsection>
 
                 <subsection name="&sect-num;.3.2 Generation after load test" anchor="report_after_load_test">
                     <p>
                         Use the following command:
-                        <source>jmeter -n -t &lt;test JMX file&gt; -l &lt;test log file&gt; -e -o &lt;Path to output folder&gt;</source>
+                        <source>jmeter -n -t <placeholder>test JMX file</placeholder> -l <placeholder>test log file</placeholder> -e -o <placeholder>Path to output folder</placeholder></source>
                     </p>
                 </subsection>
             </subsection>
@@ -742,9 +742,9 @@ jmeter.reportgenerator.exporter.html.filters_only_sample_series=true
                             by settings their properties in the user.properties file.
                             <br />
                             They must use the id prefix <code>custom_</code>:
-                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.graph.custom_&lt;your_graph_name_id&gt;.property.&lt;your_option_name&gt;</source>
+                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.graph.custom_<placeholder>your_graph_name_id</placeholder>.property.<placeholder>your_option_name</placeholder></source>
                             To specify that this graph is a customized one :
-                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.graph.custom_&lt;your_graph_name_id&gt;.classname=org.apache.jmeter.report.processor.graph.impl.CustomGraphConsumer</source>
+                            <source>jmeter.reportgenerator.graph.custom_<placeholder>your_graph_name_id</placeholder>.classname=org.apache.jmeter.report.processor.graph.impl.CustomGraphConsumer</source>
                         </p>
                         <properties>
                             <property name="set_X_Axis" required="Yes">Sets the X axis name of the graph.</property>
--- a/xdocs/usermanual/get-started.xml	
+++ a/xdocs/usermanual/get-started.xml	
@@ -748,59 +748,59 @@ These are shown below.</p>
         print usage information and exit
     -v, --version
         print the version information and exit
-    -p, --propfile &lt;argument&gt;
+    -p, --propfile <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         the jmeter property file to use
-    -q, --addprop &lt;argument&gt;
+    -q, --addprop <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         additional JMeter property file(s)
-    -t, --testfile &lt;argument&gt;
+    -t, --testfile <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         the jmeter test(.jmx) file to run
-    -l, --logfile &lt;argument&gt;
+    -l, --logfile <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         the file to log samples to
-    -i, --jmeterlogconf &lt;argument&gt;
+    -i, --jmeterlogconf <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         jmeter logging configuration file (log4j2.xml)
-    -j, --jmeterlogfile &lt;argument&gt;
+    -j, --jmeterlogfile <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         jmeter run log file (jmeter.log)
     -n, --nongui
         run JMeter in nongui mode
     -s, --server
         run the JMeter server
-    -H, --proxyHost &lt;argument&gt;
+    -H, --proxyHost <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         Set a proxy server for JMeter to use
-    -P, --proxyPort &lt;argument&gt;
+    -P, --proxyPort <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         Set proxy server port for JMeter to use
-    -N, --nonProxyHosts &lt;argument&gt;
+    -N, --nonProxyHosts <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         Set nonproxy host list (e.g. *.apache.org|localhost)
-    -u, --username &lt;argument&gt;
+    -u, --username <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         Set username for proxy server that JMeter is to use
-    -a, --password &lt;argument&gt;
+    -a, --password <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         Set password for proxy server that JMeter is to use
-    -J, --jmeterproperty &lt;argument&gt;=&lt;value&gt;
+    -J, --jmeterproperty <placeholder>argument</placeholder>=<placeholder>value</placeholder>
         Define additional JMeter properties
-    -G, --globalproperty &lt;argument&gt;=&lt;value&gt;
+    -G, --globalproperty <placeholder>argument</placeholder>=<placeholder>value</placeholder>
         Define Global properties (sent to servers)
         e.g. -Gport=123
          or -Gglobal.properties
-    -D, --systemproperty &lt;argument&gt;=&lt;value&gt;
+    -D, --systemproperty <placeholder>argument</placeholder>=<placeholder>value</placeholder>
         Define additional system properties
-    -S, --systemPropertyFile &lt;argument&gt;
+    -S, --systemPropertyFile <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         additional system property file(s)
     -f, --forceDeleteResultFile
         force delete existing results files and web report folder if present before starting the test
-    -L, --loglevel &lt;argument&gt;=&lt;value&gt;
+    -L, --loglevel <placeholder>argument</placeholder>=<placeholder>value</placeholder>
         [category=]level e.g. jorphan=INFO, jmeter.util=DEBUG or com.example.foo=WARN
     -r, --runremote
         Start remote servers (as defined in remote_hosts)
-    -R, --remotestart &lt;argument&gt;
+    -R, --remotestart <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         Start these remote servers (overrides remote_hosts)
-    -d, --homedir &lt;argument&gt;
+    -d, --homedir <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         the jmeter home directory to use
     -X, --remoteexit
         Exit the remote servers at end of test (CLI mode)
-    -g, --reportonly &lt;argument&gt;
+    -g, --reportonly <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         generate report dashboard only, from a test results file
     -e, --reportatendofloadtests
         generate report dashboard after load test
-    -o, --reportoutputfolder &lt;argument&gt;
+    -o, --reportoutputfolder <placeholder>argument</placeholder>
         output folder for report dashboard
 </source>
 <p>
--