Git Commit Explained – A Beginner’s Guide to Saving Changes in Git

What is git commit?

git commit is like taking a snapshot 📷 of your code at a particular moment in time. It permanently records your staged changes into Git history — like saying, “This is what my project looked like right now.”

You first stage your changes using git add, then commit them using:

git commit -m "Your message here"

The Git Workflow in Action

Here’s a visual overview of the basic Git workflow:

 Working Directory
    git add
 Staging Area
    git commit
 Git Repository (e.g., GitHub)

You work in the Working Directory, prepare changes in the Staging Area, then save them using git commit.

Example Git Flow

git add file.html       # Stage changes
git commit -m "Added login form"  # Save snapshot

git add: “Let’s include this in the next photo.”
git commit: “Click! Done. Snapshot saved.”

Preparing to Commit

Before you commit, you need to stage files using:

git add index.html

To check what’s staged or not:

git status

It’ll show you:

• Untracked files
• Modified files
• Staged files

Basic git commit Syntax

Use -m to Add a Message

git commit -m "Describe your change"

Good:
git commit -m "Update header layout for mobile responsiveness"

Bad:
git commit -m "stuff fixed"

Commit messages are your future memory — be specific!

Real-World Example

Scenario

You edited your homepage and styles:

git add index.html style.css
git commit -m "Redesigned homepage and improved mobile responsiveness"

Now the change is saved in your Git history forever

Why Good Commit Messages Matter

• Debug faster: Helps trace issues to specific changes.
• Understand history: Commit messages are documentation.
• Collaborate better: Teammates can easily follow your work.

Useful git commit Options

Auto-stage and Commit in One Go

git commit -am "Quick fix to navbar padding"

Works only for files Git already tracks.

Fix the Last Commit

git commit --amend

Useful for correcting typos or adding missed files.

Multi-line Commit Messages

Just run:

git commit

Git opens your editor for detailed commit messages. Use this when one-liners aren’t enough.

Understanding Commit History

View Full Log

git log

Shows all commits, authors, and dates.

View Summary Format

git log --oneline

Gives a condensed view of your project’s commit history — perfect for quick scanning.

Undoing Commits

⏮️ Soft Reset (Undo Last Commit, Keep Changes)

git reset --soft HEAD~1

The files stay modified, but the commit is undone.

Revert a Commit (Safe Undo)

git revert <commit-id>

This creates a new commit that reverses the effect of the previous one — safe and team-friendly!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to git add before committing
  Always check with git status
• Committing sensitive files like .env
  Use .gitignore to exclude them
• Writing vague commit messages
  Be descriptive and intentional

Tips for Team Collaboration

Use Conventional Commit Messages

feat: add user login functionality  
fix: correct alignment bug in header  

Link Commits to Issues

git commit -m "Fixes #42 - Updated FAQ layout"

Helps you connect commits to your issue tracker (like GitHub Issues or Jira).

Git GUI vs CLI

🖱 GUI Tools

• GitHub Desktop – Beginner-friendly and clean UI
• Sourcetree – Powerful visual branching/staging
• GitKraken – Visually stunning Git workflow manager

CLI is King

The command line gives you full control, scriptability, and better understanding of Git internals

Summary: Git Commit

• git commit captures your code at a point in time
• Use -m for meaningful commit messages
• Use --amend, -a, and --oneline to streamline workflow
• Track your progress with git log

Committing isn’t just about saving — it’s about telling the story of your code.

Frequently Asked Questions: Git Commit

1. What’s the difference between git add and git commit?

git add stages the file for commit
git commit permanently saves it to Git history

2. Can I edit an old commit?

Yes.
Use git commit --amend to fix the last one.
Use git rebase to rewrite older ones (advanced).

3. What happens if I forget to commit?

Your changes remain staged or unstaged — they’re not lost. Just run:

git add file.js  
git commit -m "Your message"

4. Can I commit multiple files at once?

Absolutely!

git add file1.html file2.css  
git commit -m "Updated UI components"

5. How do I delete a commit?

Use:

git reset HEAD~1  # Dangerous, rewrites history  
git revert <id>   # Safe and recommended for teams