How to Write Good Commit Messages in GitHub

A good commit message is a concise, clear, and meaningful description of the changes made to the code. It provides context and helps collaborators understand the purpose behind the modifications. Writing effective commit messages is crucial for maintaining an organized project history, improving collaboration, and making the development process more efficient.

This article will guide you through best practices for writing effective commit messages in GitHub.

Why Use Good Commit Messages

1. Improves Collaboration: Clear commit messages help team members understand changes, providing better collaboration.
2. Eases Code Review: Well-written messages make it easier for reviewers to grasp the purpose of a change.
3. Enhances Project History: Detailed commit messages create a useful project history, aiding in future maintenance and debugging.
4. Supports Automation: Tools that generate release notes or changelogs rely on commit messages for accuracy.

How to Write a Commit Message in Git

There are two primary methods for writing commit messages in Git:

• Using the editor method
• The command-line method.

Both serve different purposes and are suited to different situations.

Method 1: Editor Method (For Detailed Commit Messages) 

The editor method is ideal for writing detailed commit messages, especially when you need to provide more context. This method opens up your default editor, allowing you to write both a subject and a detailed description.

The syntax for the editor method is given below -

git commit

Running this command will open your default editor, where you can write your commit message. The first line should be a concise subject that briefly describes the change. After a blank line, you can add a detailed description explaining the reasoning behind the change.

Method 2: Command-Line method 

The command-line method is the most commonly used and is suitable when you need to write quick, one-line commit messages.

The syntax for command line method is given below -

git commit -m "subject" -m "description.."

Here, the first -m is for the subject, and the second -m is for the extended description. This is a quick way to commit your changes, especially when you don’t need to provide a lengthy explanation.

Example:

git commit -m "Fix: correct user authentication issue" -m "Updated the login method to handle authentication errors."

Why Should We Write Good Commit Messages?

Whether you're working on a personal project or collaborating with a team, clear commit messages are essential. They provide a way to communicate changes to your teammates and future contributors. Here are several reasons why good commit messages are necessary:

• Clarify Context: They offer context about why certain changes were made.
• Ensure Clarity: They reduce confusion, especially when revisiting the code or resolving conflicts.
• Improve Collaboration: Good commit messages ensure everyone is on the same page and prevent issues down the line.

Best Practices for Writing Good Commit Messages

Writing good commit messages doesn’t need to be hard. Following some simple conventions can significantly improve the quality of your messages and make collaboration more effective. Here are some tips for writing better Git commit messages:

1. Indicate the Type of Commit in the Subject

The subject of your commit message should indicate the type of change you made. This makes it easy to understand the nature of your commit at a glance. For example:

• fix for bug fixes
• docs for documentation changes
• style for changes related to code formatting or styling
• test for test-related updates

git commit -m "fix: correct user login issue"
git commit -m "docs: update API documentation"

2. Don’t Use Unnecessary Punctuation Marks

Avoid excessive punctuation marks in commit messages. Overusing punctuation can make your message look unprofessional and harder to read. Stick to concise and clear language.

Bad Example

git commit -m "Added---!--!--Readme!!"

Good Example

git commit -m "Add: update README file"

3. Use Capitalization for the Subject and Description

While not strictly necessary, using capitalization for the subject line and the first word of the description is generally a good practice.

git commit -m "Add: new feature to improve UI responsiveness"

4. Provide Detailed Descriptions (When Necessary)

When your change is not trivial, provide a more detailed description explaining what you changed and why the change was necessary. This helps reviewers and collaborators understand the purpose behind the update.

git commit -m "Fix: correct form validation"

Detailed explanation of the fix:

• Added missing validation checks for email and password fields
• Prevented empty form submission by adding necessary checks

5. Use Imperative Mood in the Subject Line

Git commit messages should use the imperative mood, meaning the subject line should be written as a command. This aligns with Git's convention and keeps the language consistent.

Bad Example

git commit -m "Fixed the bug in user authentication"

Good Example

git commit -m "Fix: resolve user authentication bug"

6. Follow Team Conventions

If you are working in a team, make sure to follow the conventions defined by your team or project. Whether it’s related to the formatting, commit types, or any other practice, sticking to a consistent convention will make it easier to maintain your repository.

7. Keep Your Commit Messages Clear and Meaningful

The most important thing is that your commit message should clearly describe the change and be meaningful. Avoid vague terms like "fixed stuff" or "updated code."

The most important thing about a commit message is that it should be clear and meaningful. Writing good commit messages shows how active a contributor you are. Avoid vague terms like "fixed stuff" or "updated code."

Here are some simple Do's and Don'ts when writing commit messages:

Do's:

• Keep it brief and clear: Your commit message should explain what was done in a concise manner, making it easy to understand.
• Use the imperative mood: Write the message as if you're giving a command. For example, "Fix bug" instead of "Fixed bug."
• Provide context: If the change is complex, include a description in the body to explain why the change was made.

Don'ts:

• Avoid vague messages: Don't use unclear messages like "Fixed stuff." Always be specific about what was fixed.
• Don't add unnecessary punctuation: Using too many punctuation marks like "!!!" or "????" can make your message harder to read.
• Don't write in all caps: It can be seen as shouting and doesn't look professional. Keep it properly capitalized.

Conclusion

Writing good commit messages is essential for keeping your GitHub project organized and improving collaboration with others. By following these best practices and guidelines, you can enhance communication within your team, create an easier-to-navigate project history, and streamline the review process.

Commit messages are a simple yet powerful way to make your development process more efficient. Start applying these tips today, and you'll see improvements in both individual and team workflows.