Git Commit Skill

Create well-structured git commits following conventional-commits discipline. The examples below use a TypeScript / Node.js stack for concreteness; the discipline is stack-agnostic and applies equally to any language or framework.

When to Commit

Commit after every major step:

• After completing a feature
• After fixing a bug
• After code improvements
• After refactoring
• After any significant change

File-by-file approach:

• Stage and commit files individually or in small logical groups
• Each file or group gets its own descriptive commit message
• Do not batch unrelated changes into single commits

Keep it formal:

• No AI attribution (no "Co-Authored-By: Claude" or similar)
• No emojis in commit messages
• Professional, descriptive messages

Commit Message Format

<type>(<scope>): <description>

[optional body]

[optional footer]

Types

Scopes (adapt to your project structure)

Frontend:    ui, auth, dashboard, settings, [CUSTOMIZE: your frontend apps/modules]
Backend:     api, auth, db, jobs, [CUSTOMIZE: your backend services/modules]
Infra:       docker, ci, config, k8s
General:     deps, build, release

Replace the placeholders above with the actual apps and services in your project.

Workflow

Step 1: Check Status

git status
git diff --staged
git diff

Step 2: Stage Files

# Stage specific files (preferred)
git add path/to/file1.ts path/to/file2.ts

# Stage all changes in a directory
git add src/components/

# Interactive staging (review each change)
git add -p

Step 3: Create Commit

git commit -m "$(cat <<'EOF'
type(scope): short description

Longer explanation of the change if needed.
- Bullet points for multiple changes
- Keep lines under 72 characters

EOF
)"

Examples

Feature Commit

git commit -m "$(cat <<'EOF'
feat(dashboard): add saved search and filter feature

- Add saved search list with name and criteria display
- Implement save/edit/delete dialogs
- Create useSavedSearches query hook
- Add saved-search types and API integration

EOF
)"

Bug Fix

git commit -m "$(cat <<'EOF'
fix(auth): resolve registration flow not creating user profile

Root cause: the password-confirmation endpoint was not promoting
the pending-registration record to a full user profile after
the password was set.

- Add promotion logic in the password handler
- Set migratedToProfileId and migratedAt fields
- Create initial account record for new user

EOF
)"

Refactor

git commit -m "$(cat <<'EOF'
refactor(admin): simplify user management table component

- Extract column definitions to separate file
- Replace inline sorting with TanStack Table
- Remove unused filter state

EOF
)"

Chore

git commit -m "$(cat <<'EOF'
chore(deps): update TanStack Query to v5.17

EOF
)"

Multi-File Commits

When changes span multiple files, group them logically:

# Stage related files together
git add src/hooks/use-orders.ts
git add src/types/order.ts
git commit -m "feat(orders): add order API hooks and types"

git add src/app/orders/page.tsx
git add src/app/orders/_components/
git commit -m "feat(orders): add order management UI"

Rules

1. No AI attribution - Do not add "Co-Authored-By: Claude" or similar
2. No emojis - Keep commits formal and professional
3. Imperative mood - "add feature" not "added feature"
4. Present tense - "fix bug" not "fixed bug"
5. 72 char limit - Wrap body text at 72 characters
6. Atomic commits - One logical change per commit
7. No secrets - Never commit .env files, credentials, or API keys

Pre-Commit Checklist

• All related files staged
• No unintended files included (git status)
• No secrets or credentials
• Commit message follows format
• Type and scope are appropriate
• Description is clear and concise

Apply to: $ARGUMENTS