# Commit

> Commit message formatting and guidelines

- Skill: `tryghost/commit` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add tryghost/commit`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tryghost/commit/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: TryGhost (https://skillmd.com/u/tryghost)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tryghost/commit

---


# Commit

Use this skill whenever the user asks you to create a git commit for the current work.

## Instructions

1. Review the current git state before committing:
   - `git status`
   - `git diff`
   - `git log -5 --oneline`
2. Only stage files relevant to the requested change. Do not include unrelated untracked files, generated files, or likely-local artifacts.
3. Read and follow `.github/CONTRIBUTING.md#commit-messages`. It is the
   source of truth for Ghost's commit conventions.
4. For publishable packages, check whether a release intent is required. A
   package `README.md` is published and requires a release; repository-only
   Markdown such as `AGENTS.md`, `CLAUDE.md`, changelogs, and package-local
   `docs/` does not.
5. Run `git status --short` after committing and confirm the result.

## Important

- Do not push to remote unless the user explicitly asks
- Keep commits focused and avoid bundling unrelated changes
- If there are no relevant changes, do not create an empty commit
- If hooks fail, fix the issue and create a new commit. Never bypass hooks.