Commit message format

Commit messages should be written according to the guidelines described here. These guidelines are meant to ensure high-quality and easily readable content of commit messages. They also result in a pleasant viewing experience using standard Git tools.

Purpose of a commit message

Every commit message should provide the reader with the following information:

  • Why this change is necessary

  • How this change addresses the issue

  • What other effects this change has

Structure of a commit message

First line

The first line of a commit message represents the title or summary of the change. Standard Git tools often display it differently than the rest of the message, for example in bold font, or show only this line, for example when summarizing multiple commits.

A commit message’s first line should be formatted as follows:

  • The first line should be no longer than 50 characters

  • The first line should start with a capital letter

  • The first line should not end with a full-stop

  • The first line should be followed by a blank line, if and only if the commit message contains more text below

  • The first line should use the imperative present tense, e.g. “Add cool new feature” or “Fix some little bug”

Issue references

Issues can be referenced anywhere within a commit message via their numbered tag, e.g. “#7”.

Commits that change the status of an issue, for example fixing a bug or implementing a feature, should make the relationship and change explicit on the last line of the commit message using the following format: Resolve #X. GitHub will automatically update the issue accordingly.

Please see GitHub’s help on commit message keywords for more information.

Example

Commit title summarizing the change (50 characters or less)

Subsequent text providing further information about the change, if
necessary. Lines are wrapped at 72 characters.

- May contain bullet points, prefixed by "- " at the beginning of the
  first line for a bullet point and "  " for subsequent lines
- Non-breakable text, such as long URLs, may extend past 72 characters;
  doesn't look nice, but at least they still work

Background and inspiration

The commit message format described here is based on common views, such as those expressed here: