# Commit

> Stage, commit, create PR, and merge to main. Use for the standard commit-PR-merge cycle.

- Skill: `clearsmog/commit` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add clearsmog/commit`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/clearsmog/commit/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: clearsmog (https://skillmd.com/u/clearsmog)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/clearsmog/commit

---


# Commit, PR, and Merge

Stage changes, commit with a descriptive message, create a PR, and merge to main.

## Steps

1. **Check current state:**

```bash
git status
git diff --stat
git log --oneline -5
```

2. **Create a branch** from the current state:

```bash
git checkout -b <short-descriptive-branch-name>
```

3. **Stage files** — add specific files (never use `git add -A`):

```bash
git add <file1> <file2> ...
```

Do NOT stage `.claude/settings.local.json` or any files containing secrets.

4. **Commit** with a descriptive message:

If `$ARGUMENTS` is provided, use it as the commit message. Otherwise, analyze the staged changes and write a message that explains *why*, not just *what*.

```bash
git commit -m "$(cat <<'EOF'
<commit message here>
EOF
)"
```

5. **Push and create PR:**

```bash
git push -u origin <branch-name>
gh pr create --title "<short title>" --body "$(cat <<'EOF'
## Summary
<1-3 bullet points>

## Test plan
<checklist>
EOF
)"
```

6. **Merge and clean up:**

```bash
gh pr merge <pr-number> --merge --delete-branch
git checkout main
git pull
```

7. **Report** the PR URL and what was merged.

## Important

- Always create a NEW branch — never commit directly to main
- Exclude `settings.local.json` and sensitive files from staging
- Use `--merge` (not `--squash` or `--rebase`) unless asked otherwise
- If the commit message from `$ARGUMENTS` is provided, use it exactly