What Are the Best Practices for Writing Commit Messages?

Commit messages are an essential part of using Git effectively. They serve as a record of why and how changes were made to the codebase. Well-written commit messages make it easier for you and others to understand the history of a project, navigate changes, and collaborate effectively. In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for writing clear and informative commit messages.

Why Commit Messages Matter

Commit messages provide context for the changes introduced in a commit. They help developers understand the purpose of the changes, identify relevant commits when debugging, and facilitate code reviews. Poorly written commit messages can lead to confusion, making it difficult to understand the evolution of the codebase.

Best Practices for Writing Commit Messages

1. Write a Clear and Concise Summary

The first line of a commit message should be a concise summary of the changes, ideally no more than 50 characters long. This summary should clearly convey the purpose of the commit.

Example:

Fix: Correct typo in user authentication module

Avoid vague messages like “Update code” or “Fix bug”, as they do not provide enough information.

2. Use the Imperative Mood

Commit messages should be written in the imperative mood, which is similar to giving instructions or commands. This style is consistent with the way Git generates commit messages (e.g., “Merge branch…”).

Examples:

Refactor login logic for better readability
Add unit tests for user profile component

3. Provide a Detailed Explanation

After the summary, include a blank line followed by a more detailed explanation of the changes, especially if the commit is complex or affects multiple files. This section can describe the motivation behind the changes, any relevant context, and how the changes were implemented.

Example:

Fix: Handle null values in user data processing

Previously, the application would crash if the user data contained null
values. This commit adds a check for null values and provides a default
behavior when they are encountered, ensuring the application remains
stable even with incomplete data.

4. Reference Related Issues or Tickets

If the commit relates to a specific issue, bug, or feature request, reference it in the commit message. This practice helps link the commit to broader project management tasks and makes it easier to track the progress of issues.

Example:

Fix: Correct typo in user authentication module

Fixes #123

5. Keep Commit Messages Consistent

Establish a consistent style and format for commit messages across your project or team. Consistency helps maintain a clean commit history and makes it easier for everyone to follow the evolution of the codebase.

6. Avoid Including Unrelated Changes

Each commit should focus on a single purpose or task. Avoid bundling multiple unrelated changes into a single commit, as this can make it difficult to understand the commit’s intent and complicate future debugging or code review efforts.

7. Use Bullet Points for Multiple Changes

If a commit includes several related changes, use bullet points or a list format in the detailed explanation to clearly outline each change.

Example:

Feat: Improve error handling in user registration

- Added try/catch blocks around API calls
- Display user-friendly error messages on failure
- Logged errors to external monitoring service

8. Spell Check and Proofread

Before committing, take a moment to review your commit message for spelling and grammar errors. A well-written, error-free message reflects professionalism and makes your commit history more polished and easier to read.

9. Follow Project or Team Guidelines

Many projects and teams have specific guidelines or conventions for writing commit messages. Be sure to follow these guidelines to maintain consistency and meet the expectations of your collaborators.

Conclusion

Writing good commit messages is a crucial skill for any developer using Git. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your commit messages are clear, informative, and helpful for both you and your team. Good commit messages make it easier to understand the history of your project, collaborate effectively, and maintain a clean and manageable codebase.