How to commit changes in Git

· Category: Git

Short answer

Run git commit -m "descriptive message" to save staged changes as a new snapshot in the repository history.

Steps

  1. Stage your changes:
git add .
  1. Commit with a message:
git commit -m "Add user authentication module"
  1. Commit all tracked files directly (skip staging):
git commit -am "Fix login bug"
  1. Amend the last commit:
git commit --amend -m "Updated message"

Tips

  • Write commit messages in the imperative mood (e.g., "Add feature" not "Added feature").
  • Keep the first line under 50 characters for readability.
  • Use the body to explain what and why, not how.

Common issues

  • Forgetting to stage files before committing results in an empty commit.
  • Pushing amended commits that have already been shared can confuse collaborators.