# git-commit-helper

Reads your staged changes and drafts a commit message in conventional commits format. Handy when you cannot be bothered to phrase one yourself.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code · 7093 installs
- Author: davila7
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/skills/development/git-commit-helper
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/git-commit-helper

## What it does

The skill looks at `git diff --staged` and turns the changes into a commit message. It picks the type, scope and short description from the diff itself: `feat`, `fix`, `docs`, `style`, `refactor`, `test`, `chore`. The subject line stays under 50 characters, uses imperative mood and has no trailing period.

Inside is a conventional commits template, worked examples for features, bug fixes and refactors, a section on breaking changes, and a checklist to run before committing. Multi-file commits and amending the last message with `git commit --amend` get their own sections. A PostToolUse hook appends a line to `~/.claude/git-commit-helper.log` after Bash calls — that is a log only and does not touch your git state.

The skill works off staged changes, so run `git add` or `git add -p` first or there is nothing to read. Installing it needs Node.js with `npx`.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **claude-code-templates**
```bash
npx claude-code-templates@latest --skill development/git-commit-helper
```

2. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add davila7/claude-code-templates --skill git-commit-helper -a claude-code
```

3. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/git-commit-helper/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/git-commit-helper/

### Codex

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/git-commit-helper/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/git-commit-helper/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install davila7/claude-code-templates git-commit-helper
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/git-commit-helper/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates --path cli-tool/components/skills/development/git-commit-helper
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/git-commit-helper/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/skills/development/git-commit-helper

## When to use it
- draft a commit message from staged changes
- break a multi-file change into body bullets
- flag a breaking change and describe the migration
- rewrite a weak message on the last commit
- pick the right type and scope for conventional commits

## Example prompts
- review my staged changes and suggest a commit message
- write a conventional commit with scope auth
- amend the last commit message and mark the breaking change

## Similar
- [commit](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/getsentry-commit.md) — skill · 4700 installs
- [ce-commit](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/ce-commit.md) — skill · 3400 installs
- [git-commit](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/ilteoood-git-commit.md) — skill · 533 installs
- [om-check-and-commit](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/om-check-and-commit.md) — skill · 2800 installs
- [writing-commit-messages](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/writing-commit-messages.md) — skill · 454 installs

From the same set: [davila7/claude-code-templates](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/davila7/claude-code-templates.md) — 205 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md