diff --git a/api/src/opentrons/protocol_api/instrument_context.py b/api/src/opentrons/protocol_api/instrument_context.py
index 7651cd26950..721e2db65a9 100644
--- a/api/src/opentrons/protocol_api/instrument_context.py
+++ b/api/src/opentrons/protocol_api/instrument_context.py
@@ -1636,7 +1636,11 @@ def channels(self) -> int:
     @property  # type: ignore
     @requires_version(2, 16)
     def active_channels(self) -> int:
-        """The number of channels configured for active use using configure_nozzle_layout()."""
+        """The number of channels the pipette will use to pick up tips.
+
+        By default, all channels on the pipette. Use :py:meth:`.configure_nozzle_layout`
+        to set the pipette to use fewer channels.
+        """
         return self._core.get_active_channels()
 
     @property  # type: ignore
@@ -1815,7 +1819,21 @@ def configure_nozzle_layout(
             *left-to-right* from a tip rack. Use ``"A12"`` to have the pipette use its
             rightmost nozzles to pick up tips *right-to-left* from a tip rack.
         :type start: str or ``None``
-        :param tip_racks: List of tip racks to use during this configuration.
+        :param tip_racks: Behaves the same as setting the ``tip_racks`` parameter of
+            :py:meth:`.load_instrument`. If not specified,
+            :py:obj:`.InstrumentContext.tip_racks` will be reset to ``None`` and you
+            must specify the location every time you call
+            :py:meth:`~.InstrumentContext.pick_up_tip`.
+
+            To keep the same list of tip racks when changing configurations, reference
+            the same instrument's existing ``tip_racks`` parameter::
+
+                pipette.configure_nozzle_layout(
+                    style=COLUMN,
+                    tip_racks=pipette.tip_racks
+                )
+
+        :type tip_racks: List[:py:class:`.Labware`]
         """
         #       TODO: add the following back into the docstring when QUADRANT is supported
         #