Setting up a git commit template: a step-by-step guide

Writing good commit messages can be hard when you’re moving fast. Without a structure, it’s easy to end up with vague, inconsistent commits that slow down code reviews and project tracking.

A Git commit template helps by providing a starting point every time you create a commit. It makes writing clear messages faster and more consistent.

In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to create and use a Git commit template to improve your commit quality without slowing down your workflow.

What is a Git commit template?

A Git commit template is a pre-written file that appears whenever you run git commit without the -m flag. It provides a structured format or reminders for writing better commit messages.

Instead of starting from a blank screen, you see helpful prompts like:

# Commit title (50 characters or less)

# Description: Why is this change needed?

# Issue reference (optional):

You can edit these lines before finalizing your commit.

How to create a Git commit template

Step 1: Create a template file

Create a text file somewhere on your system, for example:

nano ~/.gitmessage.txt

Inside the file, add a simple structure:

# Title: (short summary, 50 characters max)

# Description:
# - Explain why this change is needed
# - Mention any context or background

# Related Issues:
# - Reference ticket numbers or links

Save and close the file.

Step 2: Configure Git to use the template

Tell Git to use this file as the commit message template:

git config --global commit.template ~/.gitmessage.txt

This applies the template across all your repositories.

Step 3: Start using it

When you create a commit without a message inline:

git commit

Git opens your default editor with the template loaded. You fill in the sections, save, and close the editor to finalize the commit.

If you prefer committing with -m inline messages for quick fixes, you can still do that. The template only appears when you omit -m.

A better template example

You can customize templates to fit your team’s workflow. Here’s a more detailed example:

# Type: [feat|fix|docs|refactor|test|chore]
# Scope: (optional module or file name)
# Subject: (short imperative description)

# Body:
# - Motivation and context
# - Link to related issues or tickets

# Footer:
# - Breaking changes
# - Related discussions

This approach matches common Conventional Commits standards.

Why use a Git commit template

• Consistency: Your history will be much easier to read.
• Speed: No need to think about format every time.
• Better code reviews: Clear commits speed up peer review.
• Easier debugging: You can trace bugs and changes more efficiently.

Related: How to create and use Git aliases for faster workflow

Conclusion

A Git commit template is a simple but powerful tool for improving code quality and team collaboration. By taking a few minutes to set one up, you’ll save time, reduce confusion, and write better commits from day one.

FAQs

Can I have different commit templates for different repositories?

Yes. If you set the template without `--global`, it will apply only to the current repository.

Does the commit template force a format?

No. It's just a starting point. You can delete, ignore, or customize it for each commit.

Can I change the default editor Git uses for commits?

Yes. You can set it by running `git config --global core.editor 'your-editor'`, for example `nano` or `vim`.