| name | git-commit-only |
| description | Use when creating one local Git commit without pushing. Supports diff-based Conventional Commit type/scope/message generation, staged or requested change handling, segmented commit bodies for non-trivial changes, and safe commit-only workflows. Trigger for requests such as "commit this", "create a commit", "commit current changes without pushing", or local-only handoff. |
Git Commit Only
Overview
Create one focused local Conventional Commit from the current repository's staged or requested changes without pushing to any remote.
The default output is one commit on the current branch. Analyze the actual diff, stage the requested change set, generate the commit message from the change content, and write a segmented body for non-trivial changes so reviewers can quickly see what changed by topic.
This workflow handles local commit requests only. It does not push, merge branches, rewrite history, create pull requests, or publish changes.
Conventional Commit Rules
Base format:
<type>[optional scope]: <description>
[body: optional only for trivial changes; required and segmented for non-trivial changes]
[footer(s): required for breaking changes; optional for relevant issue references]
For this skill, the body is optional only for trivial commits. For non-trivial changes, write a segmented body and include a Tests: or localized equivalent section when tests, validators, hooks, or manual verification ran.
Types:
| Type | Use for |
|---|
feat | New user-facing or product capability |
fix | Bug fix |
docs | Documentation-only change |
style | Formatting/style change with no logic impact |
refactor | Code restructure with no feature or bug fix |
perf | Performance improvement |
test | Test-only or test coverage change |
build | Build system, dependency, or packaging change |
ci | CI or automation config change |
chore | Maintenance or miscellaneous change |
revert | Revert a previous commit |
Breaking changes:
- Use
! after the type or scope, such as feat(api)!: remove legacy field.
- Add a
BREAKING CHANGE: footer when the behavioral contract changes.
Message style:
- Use the repository's existing commit language.
- Write the subject in present tense and imperative mood, such as
fix login redirect.
- Keep the subject under 72 characters when practical.
- Reference issues in the body or footer when relevant, such as
Closes #123 or Refs #456.
When to Use
Use this skill when the user asks to:
- Commit the current work without pushing.
- Create one local commit from staged and unstaged changes.
- Save current work locally with a Conventional Commit message.
- Include a readable commit body that groups changes by feature area, UI area, tests, docs, or validation.
Do Not Use
Do not use this skill for:
- Commit-and-push requests; use
git-pushing-fast instead.
- Multi-branch flows that merge a work branch into a primary branch.
- Force-push, rebase, squash, amend, or history-rewrite requests.
- Pull request creation, release notes, weekly reports, or changelog generation.
- Destructive commands such as
git reset --hard or git checkout -- <file>.
Instructions
Follow this workflow in order. Stop and report the blocker instead of guessing when the target repository or requested commit scope is unclear.
-
Inspect the repository.
- Run
git status --short and git branch --show-current.
- Review the staged diff with
git diff --cached --stat and git diff --cached; if nothing is staged, review git diff --stat and git diff.
- Use
git status --porcelain when script-friendly status parsing is useful.
- Never discard or revert user changes.
-
Stage changes.
- If the user asked to commit everything, run
git add -A.
- If the user requested a narrower scope, stage only that scope.
- Use file-specific adds, path patterns, or
git add -p only when the requested scope requires logical grouping.
- Re-run
git status --short and verify the intended files are staged.
- Never leave known secrets staged for commit, including
.env, credential files, private keys, or tokens.
-
Build the commit message.
- Use Conventional Commits:
type(scope): concise summary in the repository's existing commit language.
- Choose the type and scope from the actual diff, not from filenames alone.
- For non-trivial changes, include a segmented body with 2-5 short sections.
- Each section title should name the affected area, followed by bullet points.
- Include a
Tests: or localized equivalent section when tests, validators, hooks, or manual verification ran.
Example segmented body:
fix(module): update component behavior
Behavior:
- Adjust the default state for the affected component.
- Keep existing behavior unchanged for unsupported input.
Implementation:
- Move repeated logic into a small helper.
- Update related configuration to use the new helper.
Tests:
- Add coverage for the updated behavior.
- Run the relevant validator before committing.
-
Commit.
- Use
git commit with multiple -m arguments or an editor-free equivalent so the body is preserved.
- Do not use
--no-verify.
- If hooks or validation fail, fix the failure and retry the commit.
-
Report.
- Keep the final response concise.
- Include the commit hash, branch, committed files summary, and validation that ran.
- State explicitly that no push was performed.
Safety Protocol
- Never push.
- Never update global or system Git config.
- Never run destructive commands such as
git reset --hard or git checkout -- <file> unless explicitly requested.
- Never skip hooks.
- Never commit secrets.