Ever opened a Git log and seen messages like add, update, logs, or the infamous final final version?
Yeah, we’ve all been there—and it’s painful. Let’s fix that right now.
Why Bad Commit Messages are Bad
Bad commit messages are a nightmare when you’re debugging, reviewing history, or collaborating with a team. Here are some common (and useless) examples:
git commit -m "added logs"
git commit -m "implemented user login"
git commit -m "removed unwanted codes"
git commit -m "structured user service"
git commit -m "optimized code"
Now imagine looking at this log a week later. Do you know what changed? You probably have to dig into the code to find out. Poor commit messages slow down debugging, reduce team productivity, and ruin your future self’s day. …
Ever opened a Git log and seen messages like add, update, logs, or the infamous final final version?
Yeah, we’ve all been there—and it’s painful. Let’s fix that right now.
Why Bad Commit Messages are Bad
Bad commit messages are a nightmare when you’re debugging, reviewing history, or collaborating with a team. Here are some common (and useless) examples:
git commit -m "added logs"
git commit -m "implemented user login"
git commit -m "removed unwanted codes"
git commit -m "structured user service"
git commit -m "optimized code"
Now imagine looking at this log a week later. Do you know what changed? You probably have to dig into the code to find out. Poor commit messages slow down debugging, reduce team productivity, and ruin your future self’s day.
Why Good Commit Messages Matter
Writing clear, structured commit messages makes life easier for:
- Debugging: You’ll know what changed and why without reading the diff.
- Team collaboration: Others can quickly understand your changes.
- Project history: You build a clean, searchable change log.
Good commits are like documentation at the commit level. They help you build trust in your codebase and in the people working on it.
Anatomy of a Good Commit Message
A well-written commit message has two parts:
git commit -m "type(TICKET-ID or feature): short description
Optional longer description explaining what the commit does and why."
Example:
git commit -m "feat(TICKET-4315): implement employee login function
Added login feature using AWS Cognito pools with validation and error handling."
Imagine trying to understand this six months from now. Clear, right? A good commit message tells a story—what changed, why it changed, and any context that might help the next person (or future you).
Common Git Commit Types
Use these prefixes for consistent messaging across the team:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
feat | A new feature (e.g. feat(TICKET-3212): add password reset) |
fix | A bug fix (e.g. fix(TICKET-3213): resolve login crash) |
update | Update to an existing feature |
docs | Documentation-only changes |
refactor | Code refactoring without changing behavior |
test | Adding or updating tests |
These types aren’t just about structure—they reflect intent. And intent matters when you’re reading a commit history like a storybook.
Final Thoughts
Git commit messages aren’t just for Git, they’re for humans. Write them like you’re leaving a note for your team… or your future self. Keep them short, specific, and meaningful. It’s one of those small habits that quietly make you a better developer. A clean commit history reflects a clean mindset.