diff --git a/zamba/cli.py b/zamba/cli.py
index f8cf1ae9..c7528e92 100644
--- a/zamba/cli.py
+++ b/zamba/cli.py
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ def train(
 
     If an argument is specified in both the command line and in a yaml file, the command line input will take precedence.
     """
+    
     if config is not None:
         with config.open() as f:
             config_dict = yaml.safe_load(f)
@@ -128,6 +129,27 @@ def train(
     if skip_load_validation is not None:
         train_dict["skip_load_validation"] = skip_load_validation
 
+    # surface the configuration before validation checking    
+    msg = f"""Review the following configuration before proceeding with validation checking:
+
+    Config file: {config_file}
+    Data directory: {data_dir if data_dir is not None else config_dict["train_config"].get("data_dir")}
+    Labels csv: {labels if labels is not None else config_dict["train_config"].get("labels")}
+    Checkpoint: {checkpoint if checkpoint is not None else config_dict["train_config"].get("checkpoint")}
+    """
+
+    if yes:
+        typer.echo(f"{msg}\n\nSkipping confirmation and proceeding to validation checking.")
+    else:
+        yes = typer.confirm(
+            f"{msg}\n\nIs this correct?",
+            abort=False,
+            default=True,
+        )
+        if not yes:
+            print("\n\nPlease review and adjust the configuration and run the command again.")
+            return
+    
     try:
         manager = ModelManager(
             ModelConfig(
@@ -321,6 +343,27 @@ def predict(
     if overwrite is not None:
         predict_dict["overwrite"] = overwrite
 
+    # surface the configuration before validation checking    
+    msg = f"""Review the following configuration before proceeding with validation checking:
+
+    Config file: {config_file}
+    Data directory: {data_dir if data_dir is not None else config_dict["predict_config"].get("data_dir")}
+    Filepath csv: {filepaths if filepaths is not None else config_dict["predict_config"].get("filepaths")}
+    Checkpoint: {checkpoint if checkpoint is not None else config_dict["predict_config"].get("checkpoint")}
+    """
+
+    if yes:
+        typer.echo(f"{msg}\n\nSkipping confirmation and proceeding to validation checking.")
+    else:
+        yes = typer.confirm(
+            f"{msg}\n\nIs this correct?",
+            abort=False,
+            default=True,
+        )
+        if not yes:
+            print("\n\nPlease review and adjust the configuration and run the command again.")
+            return
+
     try:
         manager = ModelManager(
             ModelConfig(