From c51f27c3739f6f76d1832890f354374cc9f0d3c0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 4 May 2026 18:54:44 +0300
Subject: [PATCH 1/8] Add support for backtick colorisation in argparse help
 text

---
 Doc/library/argparse.rst                      | 10 ++----
 Doc/whatsnew/3.15.rst                         |  4 +--
 Lib/argparse.py                               |  6 ++--
 Lib/test/test_argparse.py                     | 31 +++++++++++++++++++
 ...-05-04-18-01-35.gh-issue-142389.4Faqpq.rst |  2 ++
 5 files changed, 42 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2026-05-04-18-01-35.gh-issue-142389.4Faqpq.rst

diff --git a/Doc/library/argparse.rst b/Doc/library/argparse.rst
index e37afd6d0b6d5a..a38af611d69e15 100644
--- a/Doc/library/argparse.rst
+++ b/Doc/library/argparse.rst
@@ -637,8 +637,8 @@ are set.
 
 .. versionadded:: 3.14
 
-To highlight inline code in your description or epilog text, you can use
-backticks::
+To highlight inline code in your description, epilog, or argument ``help``
+text, you can use backticks::
 
    >>> parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
    ...     formatter_class=argparse.RawDescriptionHelpFormatter,
@@ -646,16 +646,12 @@ backticks::
    ...   `python -m myapp --verbose`
    ...   `python -m myapp --config settings.json`
    ... ''')
+   >>> parser.add_argument('--foo', help='set the `foo` value')
 
 When colors are enabled, the text inside backticks will be displayed in a
 distinct color to help examples stand out. When colors are disabled, backticks
 are preserved as-is, which is readable in plain text.
 
-.. note::
-
-   Backtick markup only applies to description and epilog text. It does not
-   apply to individual argument ``help`` strings.
-
 .. versionadded:: 3.15
 
 
diff --git a/Doc/whatsnew/3.15.rst b/Doc/whatsnew/3.15.rst
index 3baae534041446..e5f7268b40d149 100644
--- a/Doc/whatsnew/3.15.rst
+++ b/Doc/whatsnew/3.15.rst
@@ -715,9 +715,9 @@ argparse
   default to ``True``. This enables suggestions for mistyped arguments by default.
   (Contributed by Jakob Schluse in :gh:`140450`.)
 
-* Added backtick markup support in description and epilog text to highlight
+* Added backtick markup support in help text to highlight
   inline code when color output is enabled.
-  (Contributed by Savannah Ostrowski in :gh:`142390`.)
+  (Contributed by Savannah Ostrowski and Hugo van Kemenade in :gh:`142389`.)
 
 
 array
diff --git a/Lib/argparse.py b/Lib/argparse.py
index d91707d9eec546..9b7d45a5ae913a 100644
--- a/Lib/argparse.py
+++ b/Lib/argparse.py
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ def _format_args(self, action, default_metavar):
     def _expand_help(self, action):
         help_string = self._get_help_string(action)
         if '%' not in help_string:
-            return help_string
+            return self._apply_text_markup(help_string)
         params = dict(vars(action), prog=self._prog)
         for name in list(params):
             value = params[name]
@@ -726,7 +726,9 @@ def colorize(match):
             # bare %s etc. - format with full params dict, no colorization
             return spec % params
 
-        return _re.sub(fmt_spec, colorize, help_string, flags=_re.VERBOSE)
+        return self._apply_text_markup(
+            _re.sub(fmt_spec, colorize, help_string, flags=_re.VERBOSE)
+        )
 
     def _iter_indented_subactions(self, action):
         try:
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_argparse.py b/Lib/test/test_argparse.py
index e0c32976fd6f0d..d34560e5cbdda5 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_argparse.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_argparse.py
@@ -7696,6 +7696,37 @@ def test_backtick_markup_special_regex_chars(self):
         help_text = parser.format_help()
         self.assertIn(f'{prog_extra}grep "foo.*bar" | sort{reset}', help_text)
 
+    def test_backtick_markup_in_argument_help(self):
+        parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="PROG", color=True)
+        parser.add_argument("--foo", help="set the `foo` value")
+
+        prog_extra = self.theme.prog_extra
+        reset = self.theme.reset
+
+        help_text = parser.format_help()
+        self.assertIn(f"set the {prog_extra}foo{reset} value", help_text)
+        self.assertNotIn("`", help_text)
+
+    def test_backtick_markup_in_argument_help_with_format(self):
+        parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="PROG", color=True)
+        parser.add_argument(
+            "--foo", default="bar", help="set `foo` (default: %(default)s)"
+        )
+
+        prog_extra = self.theme.prog_extra
+        reset = self.theme.reset
+
+        help_text = parser.format_help()
+        self.assertIn(f"set {prog_extra}foo{reset}", help_text)
+
+    def test_backtick_markup_in_argument_help_color_disabled(self):
+        parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="PROG", color=False)
+        parser.add_argument("--foo", help="set the `foo` value")
+
+        help_text = parser.format_help()
+        self.assertIn("set the `foo` value", help_text)
+        self.assertNotIn("\x1b[", help_text)
+
     def test_help_with_format_specifiers(self):
         # GH-142950: format specifiers like %x should work with color=True
         parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog='PROG', color=True)
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2026-05-04-18-01-35.gh-issue-142389.4Faqpq.rst b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2026-05-04-18-01-35.gh-issue-142389.4Faqpq.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..725f2debe2c615
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2026-05-04-18-01-35.gh-issue-142389.4Faqpq.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Add backtick markup support in :mod:`argparse` option help text to highlight
+inline code when color output is enabled. Patch by Hugo van Kemenade.

From d8f65265f10108b10b8eec4595110a3c6b08fe00 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 4 May 2026 19:15:25 +0300
Subject: [PATCH 2/8] Backticks in regrtest

---
 Lib/test/libregrtest/cmdline.py | 40 ++++++++++++++++-----------------
 1 file changed, 20 insertions(+), 20 deletions(-)

diff --git a/Lib/test/libregrtest/cmdline.py b/Lib/test/libregrtest/cmdline.py
index 45e229eb19f0f9..64c035307e6654 100644
--- a/Lib/test/libregrtest/cmdline.py
+++ b/Lib/test/libregrtest/cmdline.py
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ def _create_parser():
                             'buildbot workers')
     group.add_argument('--timeout', metavar='TIMEOUT',
                         help='dump the traceback and exit if a test takes '
-                             'more than TIMEOUT seconds; disabled if TIMEOUT '
+                             'more than `TIMEOUT` seconds; disabled if `TIMEOUT` '
                              'is negative or equals to zero')
     group.add_argument('--wait', action='store_true',
                        help='wait for user input, e.g., allow a debugger '
@@ -261,11 +261,11 @@ def _create_parser():
 
     group = parser.add_argument_group('Verbosity')
     group.add_argument('-v', '--verbose', action='count',
-                       help='run tests in verbose mode with output to stdout')
+                       help='run tests in verbose mode with output to `stdout`')
     group.add_argument('-w', '--rerun', action='store_true',
                        help='re-run failed tests in verbose mode')
     group.add_argument('--verbose2', action='store_true', dest='rerun',
-                       help='deprecated alias to --rerun')
+                       help='deprecated alias to `--rerun`')
     group.add_argument('-W', '--verbose3', action='store_true',
                        help='display test output on failure')
     group.add_argument('-q', '--quiet', action='store_true',
@@ -295,22 +295,22 @@ def _create_parser():
                             more_details)
     group.add_argument('-m', '--match', metavar='PAT',
                        dest='match_tests', action=FilterAction, const=True,
-                       help='match test cases and methods with glob pattern PAT')
+                       help='match test cases and methods with glob pattern `PAT`')
     group.add_argument('-i', '--ignore', metavar='PAT',
                        dest='match_tests', action=FilterAction, const=False,
-                       help='ignore test cases and methods with glob pattern PAT')
+                       help='ignore test cases and methods with glob pattern `PAT`')
     group.add_argument('--matchfile', metavar='FILENAME',
                        dest='match_tests',
                        action=FromFileFilterAction, const=True,
-                       help='similar to --match but get patterns from a '
+                       help='similar to `--match` but get patterns from a '
                             'text file, one pattern per line')
     group.add_argument('--ignorefile', metavar='FILENAME',
                        dest='match_tests',
                        action=FromFileFilterAction, const=False,
-                       help='similar to --matchfile but it receives patterns '
+                       help='similar to `--matchfile` but it receives patterns '
                             'from text file to ignore')
     group.add_argument('-G', '--failfast', action='store_true',
-                       help='fail as soon as a test fails (only with -v or -W)')
+                       help='fail as soon as a test fails (only with `-v` or `-W`)')
     group.add_argument('-u', '--use', metavar='RES1,RES2,...',
                        action='extend', type=resources_list,
                        help='specify which special resource intensive tests '
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ def _create_parser():
 
     group = parser.add_argument_group('Special runs')
     group.add_argument('-L', '--runleaks', action='store_true',
-                       help='run the leaks(1) command just before exit.' +
+                       help='run the `leaks(1)` command just before exit.' +
                             more_details)
     group.add_argument('-R', '--huntrleaks', metavar='RUNCOUNTS',
                        type=huntrleaks,
@@ -333,20 +333,20 @@ def _create_parser():
                             'very slow).' + more_details)
     group.add_argument('-j', '--multiprocess', metavar='PROCESSES',
                        dest='use_mp', type=int,
-                       help='run PROCESSES processes at once')
+                       help='run `PROCESSES` processes at once')
     group.add_argument('--single-process', action='store_true',
                        dest='single_process',
                        help='always run all tests sequentially in '
-                            'a single process, ignore -jN option, '
+                            'a single process, ignore `-jN` option, '
                             'and failed tests are also rerun sequentially '
                             'in the same process')
     group.add_argument('--parallel-threads', metavar='PARALLEL_THREADS',
                        type=int,
-                       help='run copies of each test in PARALLEL_THREADS at '
+                       help='run copies of each test in `PARALLEL_THREADS` at '
                             'once')
     group.add_argument('-T', '--coverage', action='store_true',
                        dest='trace',
-                       help='turn on code coverage tracing using the trace '
+                       help='turn on code coverage tracing using the `trace` '
                             'module')
     group.add_argument('-D', '--coverdir', metavar='DIR',
                        type=relative_filename,
@@ -356,18 +356,18 @@ def _create_parser():
                        help='put coverage files alongside modules')
     group.add_argument('-t', '--threshold', metavar='THRESHOLD',
                        type=int,
-                       help='call gc.set_threshold(THRESHOLD)')
+                       help='call `gc.set_threshold(THRESHOLD)`')
     group.add_argument('-n', '--nowindows', action='store_true',
                        help='suppress error message boxes on Windows')
     group.add_argument('-F', '--forever', action='store_true',
                        help='run the specified tests in a loop, until an '
-                            'error happens; imply --failfast')
+                            'error happens; imply `--failfast`')
     group.add_argument('--list-tests', action='store_true',
                        help="only write the name of tests that will be run, "
                             "don't execute them")
     group.add_argument('--list-cases', action='store_true',
-                       help='only write the name of test cases that will be run'
-                            ' , don\'t execute them')
+                       help='only write the name of test cases that will be run, '
+                            'don\'t execute them')
     group.add_argument('-P', '--pgo', dest='pgo', action='store_true',
                        help='enable Profile Guided Optimization (PGO) training')
     group.add_argument('--pgo-extended', action='store_true',
@@ -390,11 +390,11 @@ def _create_parser():
     group.add_argument('--tempdir', metavar='PATH',
                        help='override the working directory for the test run')
     group.add_argument('--cleanup', action='store_true',
-                       help='remove old test_python_* directories')
+                       help='remove old `test_python_*` directories')
     group.add_argument('--bisect', action='store_true',
-                       help='if some tests fail, run test.bisect_cmd on them')
+                       help='if some tests fail, run `test.bisect_cmd` on them')
     group.add_argument('--pythoninfo', action='store_true',
-                       help="run python -m test.pythoninfo before tests")
+                       help="run `python -m test.pythoninfo` before tests")
     group.add_argument('--dont-add-python-opts', dest='_add_python_opts',
                        action='store_false',
                        help="internal option, don't use it")

From 254ef3cc399bb0abc0b23b433b90c6fdcb9788c0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 5 May 2026 00:03:01 +0300
Subject: [PATCH 3/8] Update regex to match double backticks

Co-authored-by: Savannah Ostrowski <savannah@python.org>
---
 Lib/argparse.py | 3 ++-
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/Lib/argparse.py b/Lib/argparse.py
index 9b7d45a5ae913a..e91a5cb3d24fe7 100644
--- a/Lib/argparse.py
+++ b/Lib/argparse.py
@@ -538,7 +538,8 @@ def _apply_text_markup(self, text):
             return text
         text = _re.sub(
             r'`([^`]+)`',
-            rf'{t.prog_extra}\1{t.reset}',
+r'(`{1,2})([^`]+)\1',
+rf'{t.prog_extra}\2{t.reset}',
             text,
         )
         return text

From 601a82b52c9b488034497726f7a57eff06f51663 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 5 May 2026 00:04:27 +0300
Subject: [PATCH 4/8] Fix bad GitHub UI suggestion

---
 Lib/argparse.py | 5 ++---
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/Lib/argparse.py b/Lib/argparse.py
index e91a5cb3d24fe7..7cef5eb9a12bb8 100644
--- a/Lib/argparse.py
+++ b/Lib/argparse.py
@@ -537,9 +537,8 @@ def _apply_text_markup(self, text):
         if not t.reset:
             return text
         text = _re.sub(
-            r'`([^`]+)`',
-r'(`{1,2})([^`]+)\1',
-rf'{t.prog_extra}\2{t.reset}',
+            r'(`{1,2})([^`]+)\1',
+            rf'{t.prog_extra}\2{t.reset}',
             text,
         )
         return text

From 6da576350d65a8f58b265920900d35ae6ea73f98 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 5 May 2026 00:11:22 +0300
Subject: [PATCH 5/8] Revert "Backticks in regrtest"

This reverts commit d8f65265f10108b10b8eec4595110a3c6b08fe00.
---
 Lib/test/libregrtest/cmdline.py | 40 ++++++++++++++++-----------------
 1 file changed, 20 insertions(+), 20 deletions(-)

diff --git a/Lib/test/libregrtest/cmdline.py b/Lib/test/libregrtest/cmdline.py
index 64c035307e6654..45e229eb19f0f9 100644
--- a/Lib/test/libregrtest/cmdline.py
+++ b/Lib/test/libregrtest/cmdline.py
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ def _create_parser():
                             'buildbot workers')
     group.add_argument('--timeout', metavar='TIMEOUT',
                         help='dump the traceback and exit if a test takes '
-                             'more than `TIMEOUT` seconds; disabled if `TIMEOUT` '
+                             'more than TIMEOUT seconds; disabled if TIMEOUT '
                              'is negative or equals to zero')
     group.add_argument('--wait', action='store_true',
                        help='wait for user input, e.g., allow a debugger '
@@ -261,11 +261,11 @@ def _create_parser():
 
     group = parser.add_argument_group('Verbosity')
     group.add_argument('-v', '--verbose', action='count',
-                       help='run tests in verbose mode with output to `stdout`')
+                       help='run tests in verbose mode with output to stdout')
     group.add_argument('-w', '--rerun', action='store_true',
                        help='re-run failed tests in verbose mode')
     group.add_argument('--verbose2', action='store_true', dest='rerun',
-                       help='deprecated alias to `--rerun`')
+                       help='deprecated alias to --rerun')
     group.add_argument('-W', '--verbose3', action='store_true',
                        help='display test output on failure')
     group.add_argument('-q', '--quiet', action='store_true',
@@ -295,22 +295,22 @@ def _create_parser():
                             more_details)
     group.add_argument('-m', '--match', metavar='PAT',
                        dest='match_tests', action=FilterAction, const=True,
-                       help='match test cases and methods with glob pattern `PAT`')
+                       help='match test cases and methods with glob pattern PAT')
     group.add_argument('-i', '--ignore', metavar='PAT',
                        dest='match_tests', action=FilterAction, const=False,
-                       help='ignore test cases and methods with glob pattern `PAT`')
+                       help='ignore test cases and methods with glob pattern PAT')
     group.add_argument('--matchfile', metavar='FILENAME',
                        dest='match_tests',
                        action=FromFileFilterAction, const=True,
-                       help='similar to `--match` but get patterns from a '
+                       help='similar to --match but get patterns from a '
                             'text file, one pattern per line')
     group.add_argument('--ignorefile', metavar='FILENAME',
                        dest='match_tests',
                        action=FromFileFilterAction, const=False,
-                       help='similar to `--matchfile` but it receives patterns '
+                       help='similar to --matchfile but it receives patterns '
                             'from text file to ignore')
     group.add_argument('-G', '--failfast', action='store_true',
-                       help='fail as soon as a test fails (only with `-v` or `-W`)')
+                       help='fail as soon as a test fails (only with -v or -W)')
     group.add_argument('-u', '--use', metavar='RES1,RES2,...',
                        action='extend', type=resources_list,
                        help='specify which special resource intensive tests '
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ def _create_parser():
 
     group = parser.add_argument_group('Special runs')
     group.add_argument('-L', '--runleaks', action='store_true',
-                       help='run the `leaks(1)` command just before exit.' +
+                       help='run the leaks(1) command just before exit.' +
                             more_details)
     group.add_argument('-R', '--huntrleaks', metavar='RUNCOUNTS',
                        type=huntrleaks,
@@ -333,20 +333,20 @@ def _create_parser():
                             'very slow).' + more_details)
     group.add_argument('-j', '--multiprocess', metavar='PROCESSES',
                        dest='use_mp', type=int,
-                       help='run `PROCESSES` processes at once')
+                       help='run PROCESSES processes at once')
     group.add_argument('--single-process', action='store_true',
                        dest='single_process',
                        help='always run all tests sequentially in '
-                            'a single process, ignore `-jN` option, '
+                            'a single process, ignore -jN option, '
                             'and failed tests are also rerun sequentially '
                             'in the same process')
     group.add_argument('--parallel-threads', metavar='PARALLEL_THREADS',
                        type=int,
-                       help='run copies of each test in `PARALLEL_THREADS` at '
+                       help='run copies of each test in PARALLEL_THREADS at '
                             'once')
     group.add_argument('-T', '--coverage', action='store_true',
                        dest='trace',
-                       help='turn on code coverage tracing using the `trace` '
+                       help='turn on code coverage tracing using the trace '
                             'module')
     group.add_argument('-D', '--coverdir', metavar='DIR',
                        type=relative_filename,
@@ -356,18 +356,18 @@ def _create_parser():
                        help='put coverage files alongside modules')
     group.add_argument('-t', '--threshold', metavar='THRESHOLD',
                        type=int,
-                       help='call `gc.set_threshold(THRESHOLD)`')
+                       help='call gc.set_threshold(THRESHOLD)')
     group.add_argument('-n', '--nowindows', action='store_true',
                        help='suppress error message boxes on Windows')
     group.add_argument('-F', '--forever', action='store_true',
                        help='run the specified tests in a loop, until an '
-                            'error happens; imply `--failfast`')
+                            'error happens; imply --failfast')
     group.add_argument('--list-tests', action='store_true',
                        help="only write the name of tests that will be run, "
                             "don't execute them")
     group.add_argument('--list-cases', action='store_true',
-                       help='only write the name of test cases that will be run, '
-                            'don\'t execute them')
+                       help='only write the name of test cases that will be run'
+                            ' , don\'t execute them')
     group.add_argument('-P', '--pgo', dest='pgo', action='store_true',
                        help='enable Profile Guided Optimization (PGO) training')
     group.add_argument('--pgo-extended', action='store_true',
@@ -390,11 +390,11 @@ def _create_parser():
     group.add_argument('--tempdir', metavar='PATH',
                        help='override the working directory for the test run')
     group.add_argument('--cleanup', action='store_true',
-                       help='remove old `test_python_*` directories')
+                       help='remove old test_python_* directories')
     group.add_argument('--bisect', action='store_true',
-                       help='if some tests fail, run `test.bisect_cmd` on them')
+                       help='if some tests fail, run test.bisect_cmd on them')
     group.add_argument('--pythoninfo', action='store_true',
-                       help="run `python -m test.pythoninfo` before tests")
+                       help="run python -m test.pythoninfo before tests")
     group.add_argument('--dont-add-python-opts', dest='_add_python_opts',
                        action='store_false',
                        help="internal option, don't use it")

From 138caa235e27da293d0d461c56f7a82ea2ce06d8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 5 May 2026 00:26:37 +0300
Subject: [PATCH 6/8] Update docs, docstring and tests

---
 Doc/library/argparse.rst  |  5 +++--
 Lib/argparse.py           |  2 +-
 Lib/test/test_argparse.py | 16 +++++++++++-----
 3 files changed, 15 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)

diff --git a/Doc/library/argparse.rst b/Doc/library/argparse.rst
index a38af611d69e15..db5fae2006678a 100644
--- a/Doc/library/argparse.rst
+++ b/Doc/library/argparse.rst
@@ -638,13 +638,14 @@ are set.
 .. versionadded:: 3.14
 
 To highlight inline code in your description, epilog, or argument ``help``
-text, you can use backticks::
+text, you can use single or double backticks::
 
    >>> parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
    ...     formatter_class=argparse.RawDescriptionHelpFormatter,
+   ...     description='Run ``python -m myapp`` to start.',
    ...     epilog='''Examples:
    ...   `python -m myapp --verbose`
-   ...   `python -m myapp --config settings.json`
+   ...   ``python -m myapp --config settings.json``
    ... ''')
    >>> parser.add_argument('--foo', help='set the `foo` value')
 
diff --git a/Lib/argparse.py b/Lib/argparse.py
index 7cef5eb9a12bb8..db7f909c320e8d 100644
--- a/Lib/argparse.py
+++ b/Lib/argparse.py
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ def _apply_text_markup(self, text):
         """Apply color markup to text.
 
         Supported markup:
-          `...` - inline code (rendered with prog_extra color)
+          `...` or ``...`` - inline code (rendered with prog_extra color)
 
         When colors are disabled, backticks are preserved as-is.
         """
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_argparse.py b/Lib/test/test_argparse.py
index d34560e5cbdda5..8935f282b1371c 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_argparse.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_argparse.py
@@ -7620,21 +7620,25 @@ def test_backtick_markup_in_description(self):
         parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
             prog='PROG',
             color=True,
-            description='Run `python -m myapp` to start.',
+            description='Run `python myapp` or ``python -m myapp`` to start.',
         )
 
         prog_extra = self.theme.prog_extra
         reset = self.theme.reset
 
         help_text = parser.format_help()
-        self.assertIn(f'Run {prog_extra}python -m myapp{reset} to start.',
-                      help_text)
+        self.assertIn(
+            f'Run {prog_extra}python myapp{reset} or '
+            f'{prog_extra}python -m myapp{reset} to start.',
+            help_text,
+        )
+        self.assertNotIn("`", help_text)
 
     def test_backtick_markup_multiple(self):
         parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
             prog='PROG',
             color=True,
-            epilog='Try `app run` or `app test`.',
+            epilog='Try `app run` or ``app test``.',
         )
 
         prog_extra = self.theme.prog_extra
@@ -7643,17 +7647,19 @@ def test_backtick_markup_multiple(self):
         help_text = parser.format_help()
         self.assertIn(f'{prog_extra}app run{reset}', help_text)
         self.assertIn(f'{prog_extra}app test{reset}', help_text)
+        self.assertNotIn('`', help_text)
 
     def test_backtick_markup_not_applied_when_color_disabled(self):
         # When color is disabled, backticks are preserved as-is
         parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
             prog='PROG',
             color=False,
-            epilog='Example: `python -m myapp`',
+            epilog='Examples: `python -m myapp` or ``python -m myapp --x``',
         )
 
         help_text = parser.format_help()
         self.assertIn('`python -m myapp`', help_text)
+        self.assertIn('``python -m myapp --x``', help_text)
         self.assertNotIn('\x1b[', help_text)
 
     def test_backtick_markup_with_format_string(self):

From 67f92b7e102b0f7a3a99436c7428b67430d69239 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 5 May 2026 01:30:17 +0300
Subject: [PATCH 7/8] Split What's New

---
 Doc/whatsnew/3.15.rst | 10 +++++++---
 1 file changed, 7 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/Doc/whatsnew/3.15.rst b/Doc/whatsnew/3.15.rst
index e5f7268b40d149..937b31a344b4f5 100644
--- a/Doc/whatsnew/3.15.rst
+++ b/Doc/whatsnew/3.15.rst
@@ -715,9 +715,13 @@ argparse
   default to ``True``. This enables suggestions for mistyped arguments by default.
   (Contributed by Jakob Schluse in :gh:`140450`.)
 
-* Added backtick markup support in help text to highlight
-  inline code when color output is enabled.
-  (Contributed by Savannah Ostrowski and Hugo van Kemenade in :gh:`142389`.)
+* Added backtick markup support in :class:`~argparse.ArgumentParser` description
+  and epilog text to highlight inline code when color output is enabled.
+  (Contributed by Savannah Ostrowski in :gh:`142390`.)
+
+* Extended backtick markup to argument ``help`` text and added support for
+  double backticks (RST inline-literal style).
+  (Contributed by Hugo van Kemenade in :gh:`149375`.)
 
 
 array

From 634cfe62912df26140df2690888aa1edb1df19c4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 5 May 2026 01:31:49 +0300
Subject: [PATCH 8/8] Add extra regression test for double backticks

---
 Lib/test/test_argparse.py | 2 ++
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+)

diff --git a/Lib/test/test_argparse.py b/Lib/test/test_argparse.py
index 8935f282b1371c..e03f36fbb50ec2 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_argparse.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_argparse.py
@@ -7705,12 +7705,14 @@ def test_backtick_markup_special_regex_chars(self):
     def test_backtick_markup_in_argument_help(self):
         parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="PROG", color=True)
         parser.add_argument("--foo", help="set the `foo` value")
+        parser.add_argument("--bar", help="set the ``bar`` value")
 
         prog_extra = self.theme.prog_extra
         reset = self.theme.reset
 
         help_text = parser.format_help()
         self.assertIn(f"set the {prog_extra}foo{reset} value", help_text)
+        self.assertIn(f"set the {prog_extra}bar{reset} value", help_text)
         self.assertNotIn("`", help_text)
 
     def test_backtick_markup_in_argument_help_with_format(self):