COMMIT-EDITMSG is a temporary text file generated by Git. Its sole purpose is to hold the commit message text during a commit transaction.
If you close the editor without saving, or if you delete all the text, Git detects an empty message and aborts the commit entirely, leaving your project state unchanged. Common Issues and How to Fix Them COMMIT-EDITMSG
Create a text file named .gitmessage in your home directory. Add your preferred layout: COMMIT-EDITMSG is a temporary text file generated by Git
When you save and close your editor, Git reads the contents of .git/COMMIT_EDITMSG , validates it, creates the commit object using that text as the subject and body, and then deletes the temporary file. Common Issues and How to Fix Them Create a text file named
| Issue | Found | Recommended | |-------|-------|--------------| | | >50 chars (e.g., 72 chars) | Max 50 characters | | Blank line after subject | Missing | Always include one | | Body line wrap | >72 chars | Wrap at 72 characters | | Trailing whitespace | Present | None allowed | | Imperative mood | “Fixed bug” (past tense) | “Fix bug” (imperative) |
Tools like git-super-ai , gpt-commit , or custom scripts work by: