Re: GIT-Question: how do I start a commit with some explanations/comments

[Adolf Belka <adolf.belka@ipfire.org>]

Hi Matthias,

On 24/05/2026 10:57, Matthias Fischer wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I'd like to have a problem but I can't find the solution...
> 
> Problem:
> How do I create a commit that starts with a comment on the commits that
> will follow immediately afterward? In other words, the first commit
> (numbered 1/2, e.g.) should be a detailed comment, and the actual patch
> (2/2, e.g.) should then follow as a *second* commit.
> 
> It might have something to do with 'git commit ...'.

When I have needed to do that I have added --cover-letter to my git format-patch -N -o ....
command and it has then created a series patch with the N commits and added a cover letter at series number 0 which it then allows you to edit and add your message for the patch series.

https://git-scm.com/docs/git-format-patch#Documentation/git-format-patch.txt---cover-letter

I have to say it is a long time now since I did this so you might have to try it a few times to get the patch series you want before running the git send-email command.

Regards,

Adolf.

> 
> I saw this here - first came a commit containing some explanations and
> comments, then came the actual patch, but I can't figure it out.
> 
> Any help or a hint would be appreciated, 'git commit -- help' didn't
> help... ;-)
> 
> Best
> Matthias
> 
> P.S.: And I *don't* mean 'git commit --amend'! ;-)
>