# Commit

> Write conventional commit messages with type, scope, and subject when the user wants to commit changes or save work.

- Skill: `iannuttall/commit` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add iannuttall/commit`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/iannuttall/commit/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: iannuttall (https://skillmd.com/u/iannuttall)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/iannuttall/commit

---


# Git Commit

Creates git commits following Conventional Commits format with proper type, scope, and subject.

## Quick Start

```bash
# 1. Stage changes
git add <files>  # or: git add -A

# 2. Create commit (branch commit format)
git commit -m "type(scope): subject

Body explaining HOW and WHY.
Reference: Task X.Y, Req N"
```

## Commit Types

### Regular Branch Commits (During Development)

**Format**: `type(scope): subject`

| Type | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `feat` | New feature or functionality |
| `fix` | Bug fix or issue resolution |
| `refactor` | Code refactoring without behavior change |
| `perf` | Performance improvements |
| `test` | Test additions or modifications |
| `ci` | CI/CD configuration changes |
| `docs` | Documentation updates |
| `chore` | Maintenance, dependencies, tooling |
| `style` | Code formatting, linting (non-functional) |
| `security` | Security vulnerability fixes or hardening |

### Scope (Required, kebab-case)

Examples: `validation`, `auth`, `cookie-service`, `template`, `config`, `tests`, `api`

### Subject Line Rules

- Max 50 characters after colon
- Present tense imperative: add, implement, fix, improve, enhance, refactor, remove, prevent
- NO period at the end
- Specific and descriptive - state WHAT, not WHY

## Core Workflow

### 1. Review Changes

```bash
git status
git diff --staged  # if already staged
git diff           # if not staged
```

### 2. Stage Files

```bash
git add <specific-files>  # preferred
# or
git add -A  # all changes
```

**NEVER commit**:
- `.env`, `credentials.json`, secrets
- `node_modules/`, `__pycache__/`, `.venv/`
- Large binary files without explicit approval

### 3. Create Commit

**Simple change**:
```bash
git commit -m "fix(auth): use hmac.compare_digest for secure comparison"
```

**Complex change (with body)**:
```bash
git commit -m "$(cat <<'EOF'
feat(validation): add URLValidator with domain whitelist

Implement URLValidator class supporting:
- Domain whitelist enforcement (youtube.com, youtu.be)
- Dangerous scheme blocking (javascript, data, file)
- URL parsing with embedded credentials handling

Addresses Requirement 31: Input validation
Part of Task 5.1: Input Validation Utilities
EOF
)"
```

### 4. Verify Commit

```bash
git log -1 --format="%h %s"
git show --stat HEAD
```

## Body Format (Recommended for Complex Changes)

```
<blank line>
Explain HOW and WHY the change was made.
- Use bullet points for multiple items
- Wrap at 72 characters

Reference: Task X.Y
Addresses: Req N
```

## Git Trailers

| Trailer | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| `Fixes #N` | Links and closes issue on merge |
| `Closes #N` | Same as Fixes |
| `Co-authored-by: Name <email>` | Credit co-contributors |

Place trailers at end of body after blank line. See `references/commit_examples.md` for examples.

## Breaking Changes

For incompatible API/behavior changes, use `!` after scope OR `BREAKING CHANGE:` footer:

```
feat(api)!: change response format to JSON:API

BREAKING CHANGE: Response envelope changed from `{ data }` to `{ data: { type, id, attributes } }`.
```

Triggers major version bump in semantic-release.

## Merge Commits (PR Closure)

For PRs, use extended description with sections:

```bash
gh pr create --title "feat(security): implement input validation (Task 5)" --body "$(cat <<'EOF'
## Summary
- Input validation utilities (URLValidator, FormatValidator)
- Secure template processor with path traversal prevention
- API key authentication middleware

## Task Breakdown
Task 5.1: Input Validation - URLValidator, FormatValidator
Task 5.2: Template Processing - Path traversal prevention
Task 5.3: API Key Auth - Multi-key support, excluded paths
Task 5.4: Security Tests - 102 path traversal tests

## Requirements Covered
Req 7, Req 9, Req 31, Req 33

## Test Coverage
- All 473 tests passing
- Coverage: 93%
- Pre-commit checks: passing
EOF
)"
```

## Integration with Other Skills

### From github-pr-review

When fixing review comments, use this format:

```bash
git commit -m "fix(scope): address review comment #ID

Brief explanation of what was wrong and how it's fixed.
Addresses review comment #123456789."
```

### From github-pr-creation

Before creating PR, ensure all commits follow this format. The PR skill will:
1. Analyze commits for proper format
2. Extract types for PR labels
3. Build PR description from commit bodies

## Important Rules

- **ALWAYS** include scope in parentheses
- **ALWAYS** use present tense imperative verb
- **NEVER** end subject with period
- **NEVER** commit secrets or credentials
- **NEVER** use generic messages ("update code", "fix bug", "changes")
- **NEVER** exceed 50 chars in subject line
- Group related changes -> single focused commit

## Examples

**Good**:
```
feat(validation): add URLValidator with domain whitelist
fix(auth): use hmac.compare_digest for secure key comparison
refactor(template): consolidate filename sanitization logic
test(security): add 102 path traversal prevention tests
```

**Bad**:
```
update validation code           # no type, no scope, vague
feat: add stuff                  # missing scope, too vague
fix(auth): fix bug               # circular, not specific
chore: make changes              # missing scope, vague
feat(security): improve things.  # has period, vague
```

## References

- `references/commit_examples.md` - Extended examples by type