How to add commit message using vim?

Question

Trying to learn more about Git and to move on from absolute basics which is all I have right now. I want to be able to add a commit message using vim (or nano, or any other text editor) rather than putting all of the log message on the command line. Can anyone tell me step by step how I can do this?

Answer 1

This is mostly a question about using VIM, so let's to it.

First, you need to setup Git to use Vim as the editor, if that's not the default for you. You can do that by adding to the git config of your choice (none which is local, --global or --system): git config --global core.editor vim

Then when you commit, you don't add the -m parameter, leave it blank: git commit // or git commit -a

After that, you are in VIM, in escape mode. You then need to start insert mode to write. The simplest way is to type i, and a message will appear on the bottom (-- INSERT --). You are in insert mode and you can now type in your message.

After that, you must exit insert mode, and you do that by pressing Esc once. The -- INSERT -- message on the bottom should vanish. You are now in escape mode again, and you must save and quit.

That is done by using the : key to enter command mode and typing the command wq or x, leaving you with either :wq or :x typed at the bottom.

w stands for write and q for quit, so wq is write and quit. x is an alias for wq.

After that you just press Enter and you're done, out of VIM.

If you have any doubts post a comment and I'll add it up.