git commit with message - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - git commit with message

Make changes to files

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Stage changes with git add

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Run git commit -m "message"

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Git creates a new commit with the message

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Commit saved in local repository

This flow shows how you save your changes in git with a message describing them.

Execution Sample

Git

git add file.txt
git commit -m "Add file.txt with initial content"

Stages the file.txt and commits it with a message describing the change.

Process Table

Step	Command	Action	Result
1	git add file.txt	Stage file.txt for commit	file.txt is ready to be committed
2	git commit -m "Add file.txt with initial content"	Create commit with message	New commit created with message
3	git log -1	Show last commit message	Commit message: Add file.txt with initial content

💡 Commit created and saved locally with the provided message

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After git add	After git commit
Staged files	none	file.txt	none (staged cleared after commit)
Last commit message	none	none	Add file.txt with initial content

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why do I need to use git add before git commit?

git add tells git which changes to include in the commit. Without it, git commit has nothing to save. See execution_table step 1 and 2.

What happens if I forget the -m message in git commit?

Git will open a text editor to type the commit message manually. Using -m lets you add the message directly in the command. See execution_table step 2.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what is the staged file after step 1?

A file.txt

B none

C Add file.txt with initial content

D git commit

💡 Hint

Check the 'Action' and 'Result' columns in step 1 of the execution_table

At which step is the commit message created?

A Step 1

B Step 3

C Step 2

D After all steps

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Command' and 'Result' columns in the execution_table

If you skip git add, what will happen when you run git commit -m "msg"?

A Commit will include all changes automatically

B Commit will fail or create empty commit

C Git will stage files for you

D Git will delete changes

💡 Hint

Refer to key_moments about why git add is needed before commit

Concept Snapshot

git commit -m "message" saves staged changes with a message.
Use git add to stage files first.
Commit message describes the change.
Without -m, git opens editor for message.
Commit is saved locally until pushed.

Full Transcript

To save your changes in git, first stage the files using git add. Then run git commit with the -m option followed by a message in quotes. This message describes what you changed. Git creates a new commit with these staged changes and the message. The commit is saved in your local repository. If you forget to stage files, the commit will have no changes. If you omit the -m message, git opens an editor to type it manually.