# commit

> Create micro-commits (minimal incision) with at least one validation signal per commit.

- Author: Tim Kersey
- Repository: tkersey/dotfiles
- Version: 20260121203800
- Stars: 41
- Forks: 0
- Last Updated: 2026-02-06
- Source: https://github.com/tkersey/dotfiles
- Web: https://mule.run/skillshub/@@tkersey/dotfiles~commit:20260121203800

---

---
name: commit
description: Create micro-commits (minimal incision) with at least one validation signal per commit.
---

# Commit

## Intent
Carve changes into surgical commits: one coherent change, minimal blast radius, and at least one feedback signal before committing.

## When to use
- “Split this into micro commits.”
- “Stage only the minimal change and commit it.”
- “Keep the commits tiny, keep checks passing.”

## Workflow (Surgeon’s principle)

### 1) Scope the incision
- Identify the smallest change that can stand alone.
- Isolate unrelated edits; avoid drive-by refactors/formatting unless required for correctness.

### 2) Stage surgically (non-interactive-first)
Inspect:
- `git status -sb`
- `git diff`

Stage what you intend (prefer file-level staging in non-interactive harnesses):
- `git add <paths...>`
- `git restore --staged <paths...>`

Verify:
- `git diff --cached` matches the intended incision.

If you truly need hunk-level staging but your environment can’t do interactive staging, ask the user to stage hunks locally or provide a patch you can apply.

### 3) Validate the micro scope
- Optional helper: `scripts/micro_scope.py` (staged vs unstaged size).
- If the staged diff is multi-concern, split it before running checks.

### 4) Close the loop (required)
- Select the tightest available signal and run it.
- If the repo’s test/check command is not discoverable, ask for the preferred command.
- Reference: `references/loop-detection.md`.

### 5) Commit
- Use a terse message; optimize for clarity, not poetry.
- Commit only after at least one signal passes.

### 6) Repeat
Repeat until the working tree is clean or the remaining changes are intentionally deferred.

## Guardrails
- Don’t widen scope without asking.
- Prefer the smallest check that meaningfully exercises the change.
- Don’t claim completion without a passing signal.

## Resources
- `scripts/micro_scope.py`
- `references/loop-detection.md`