The Modern Way to Git Commit

Remember the last time you scrolled through a git history filled with “updates” and “fixes”? Let’s turn that mess into something useful.

The Pattern That Makes Sense

Every commit message follows this structure:

type(scope): short description

[optional longer description of what changed and why]

Think of it like sorting your laundry - each piece has its place.

The Essential Types You Need

✨ Features (feat)

When you’re adding something new:

feat(user): add password reset functionality
feat(dashboard): create new analytics widget

🐛 Bug Fixes (fix)

When something’s broken:

fix(checkout): prevent double payment submission
fix(search): handle empty query results

🔧 Technical Stuff (chore/refactor)

Behind-the-scenes work:

chore(deps): upgrade to React 18
refactor(api): simplify error handling

Real Benefits, Not Just Theory

1. Automated Everything: Generate changelogs automatically
2. Better Collaboration: Team members know what changed without diving into code
3. Cleaner History: Find important changes quickly
4. Semantic Versioning: Tools can figure out version bumps based on commit types

Quick Rules to Live By

• Keep the first line under 50 characters
• Use present tense (“add” not “added”)
• Think about what the change does, not what you did
• Include the scope if it helps (but skip it if it doesn’t)

Pro Tips

• Use feat: for anything users can see
• Use fix: for bug fixes only
• Use chore: for maintenance tasks
• Add ! after type for breaking changes: feat!:

Remember: Good commit messages are like good documentation - they help your future self and others understand what happened and why.