commit-helper · cockroachdb — Claude Code skill: what it does, how to install
Formats git commits and pull requests according to CockroachDB conventions. Analyzes diffs, checks line lengths, and enforces release note categories.
npx skills add cockroachdb/cockroach --skill commit-helper -a claude-codeWhat commit-helper does
The skill automates git commit creation in line with CockroachDB repository guidelines. It inspects diffs via git diff to identify the affected package. Then it requests the issue identifier. The agent also verifies whether a release note is necessary.
Subject lines follow an imperative mood without a period, staying under 72 characters. The message body explains why the code changed and compares behavior before and after. Issue links like Resolves: #123 attach at the end. Every commit requires an explicit release note entry. Internal refactors use None, while visible changes demand an exact category such as bug fix or sql change.
Commits without a valid release note category fail repository guidelines. For pull requests, the skill aligns single-commit PR bodies with the commit message and summarizes multi-commit branches.
What it helps with
- format git commits following CockroachDB conventions
- assign validated release note categories to changes
- link commits to issue and epic trackers
- generate structured single-commit and multi-commit pull request summaries
Example prompts for the agent
- Create a commit for the staged changes with a release note
- Format my commit according to CockroachDB guidelines for issue #123
- Draft a pull request description summarizing the recent commits
How to install commit-helper
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add cockroachdb/cockroach --skill commit-helper -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/commit-helper/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/commit-helper/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add cockroachdb/cockroach --skill commit-helper -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/commit-helper/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add cockroachdb/cockroach --skill commit-helper -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/commit-helper/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install cockroachdb/cockroach commit-helper2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/commit-helper/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add cockroachdb/cockroach --skill commit-helper -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/cockroachdb/cockroach --path .claude/skills/commit-helperManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/commit-helper/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add cockroachdb/cockroach --skill commit-helper -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about commit-helper
How to install commit-helper in Claude Code?
Install the skill by running npx skills add cockroachdb/cockroach --skill commit-helper -a claude-code. It configures the skill file under ~/.claude/skills/commit-helper/SKILL.md.
What does commit-helper do?
It evaluates your git diff, selects the primary package prefix, and structures the commit message according to repository rules. The skill verifies character limits, imperative title phrasing, issue references, and release note categories.
When can a commit use Release note: None?
Set Release note: None for internal refactoring, test additions, or internal settings prefixed with crdb_internal.. User-facing updates must use an exact category like backward-incompatible change or bug fix.
Similar skills
All skills for Git and GitHub →commit-helper by other authors comes first.
