LandonSchropp/skills/git-commit

Git Commit

Staged Changes

Run git status to see what changes are staged for commit. If there are no staged changes, stage all modified files.

Title

Create a clear, succinct title that explains what the commit accomplishes. Brief - only the essentials.

Use imperative mood: "Add feature" not "Added feature" or "Adds feature"

Good examples:

• Add user authentication
• Fix memory leak in parser
• Update dependencies
• Remove deprecated API endpoints

Avoid overly detailed titles and phrases like "This commit..." or "Changes to..."

Body

MOST COMMITS SHOULD HAVE NO BODY. DO NOT ADD A BODY UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. A title-only commit is almost always better.

Before adding a body, ask yourself: Does this body add information that isn't obvious from the title? If the body just expands on what the title already says, delete it.

Bad example:

Add writing-markdown skill

- Add SKILL.md with instructions
- Add scripts/resource-paths script

The body just restates "Add writing-markdown skill" in more words. Delete the body.

Only add a body when the title genuinely can't capture important context. The body must contain non-redundant detail that adds real value.

Write bodies in markdown. Use markdown formatting for lists, emphasis, code, etc.

Common patterns (only when a body is truly necessary):

• Simple context (1-2 sentences): Explain the "why" or rationale when it's not obvious
• Bullet list: List specific changes when there are multiple distinct items
• Paragraph + bullet list: Provide context, then list specific changes under a "Changes:" header
• Multiple sections: Use headers to organize complex changes (e.g., "Changes:" and "Template-specific changes:")

The title says "what" - the body explains "why" or provides specific details

Create Commit

Create the commit using a heredoc to preserve formatting:

git commit -m "$(cat <<'EOF'
Commit title here

Optional body here.
EOF
)"

Rationalizations

| Thought | Reality | | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | | "I'll provide multiple versions" | Draft ONE commit message | | "I should explain the format" | Start with the title directly | | "I'll introduce the message" | NO introductory text whatsoever | | "This simple change needs context" | Simple changes rarely need bodies |

REQUIRED: See references/examples.md for correct formatting.