Git Commit Templates Library

What is a Git commit template?

A commit template is a text file that pre-fills the message editor whenever you commit. It reminds you what a good message for your project contains, so you don't start from a blank page every time.

This library pairs each template with a completed example, setup instructions for Tower and the Git command line, and an agent skill that teaches coding agents the same convention. Whether a commit is written by you, a teammate, or an agent, your history reads the same way.

Conventional Commits follows its published specification, Gitmoji follows the official Gitmoji guide, and Subsystem Prefix follows the Linux kernel's patch guidelines. The other templates are suggestions from the Tower team, and they're meant to be adapted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set a default commit template in Git?

Save the template file, then run git config commit.template path/to/file inside a repository, or git config --global commit.template ~/.gitmessage to use it everywhere. Git pre-fills the editor with it whenever you run git commit without -m.

Does a commit template enforce a message format?

No. A template only suggests a structure. To reject messages that don't follow a convention, add a commit-msg hook, such as the ones in our Git Hooks Library.

How do I use commit templates in Tower?

Create templates in the Templates tab of Tower's Settings (Mac) or Preferences (Windows). You can set a global or per-repository default, and insert any template while composing a commit with the Commit template button, or by typing t: or / in the subject field.

Can my coding agent follow the same convention?

Yes. Every template comes with a downloadable skill in the open Agent Skills format, plus instructions you can paste into files like AGENTS.md. The skills draft messages from your staged changes, never invent details such as issue numbers or test results, and don't commit unless you ask.

Why doesn't my template appear when I commit?

Git only uses the template when it opens an editor. git commit -m and git commit -F skip it, and so do commands that write their own messages, such as git merge and git revert.

Can I use these templates in my own projects?

Yes. The templates and skills are free to use, modify, and share under the MIT No Attribution (MIT-0) license. No registration is required.