Understanding .git/COMMIT_EDITMSG : The Heart of Meaningful History
By setting git config commit.template , you can pre-fill COMMIT_EDITMSG with a checklist or a specific format your team follows. COMMIT-EDITMSG
A concise summary (max 50 characters) followed by a blank line. Understanding
While .git/COMMIT_EDITMSG is a transient file that disappears or gets overwritten with every new commit, it is the canvas upon which project legacy is written. Mastering how to use it—and the editors that open it—is a rite of passage for every professional developer. COMMIT-EDITMSG
It populates it with a template or existing comments (lines starting with # ). It opens your configured core editor .