Git commit a commit message and nothing else?

Question

When handling pull requests on GitHub, often I want to merge in commits from a branch with no changes. However, I would like to commit something just after the merge. I don't want to git commit --amend because that would change the commit I'm bringing in, so tracking the change gets more complicated.

Is there a way to git commit nothing but a message? The reason is because I might want to mention something in the Pull Request -- a URL pointing to a test case, or mention some other pull request so I can use a commit hook like Closes #123 in addition to the original pull request.

Would something like a note serve your need or do you want it to be a commit? — Roman
– Roman, Commented Sep 18, 2012 at 14:46
@R0MANARMY I like the --allow-empty but it might be an abuse; I bet this git note business is probably more correct. I'll need to try it. I wonder if it these notes would show up in the history of a GitHub Pull Request. — Dead Pixel
– Dead Pixel, Commented Sep 29, 2012 at 15:52
I think in this case femaref's answer is best since it would let you put the message you want into the merge commit directly. — Roman
– Roman, Commented Sep 29, 2012 at 16:09

user4815162342 · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-18 13:21:11Z

9

To commit an empty commit, use git commit --allow-empty.

answered Sep 18, 2012 at 13:21

user4815162342

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Dead Pixel Over a year ago

This works like a champ and seems easier than @Femaref's suggestion, thanks!

Femaref · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-18 14:11:23Z

3

You can use git merge --no-commit branch to make the merge but not autocommit. You are now able to tweak the actual commit like if the merge failed, including changing the commit message.

Furthermore, you are able to enter a message by git merge -m "message" branch, which is added to the merge commit.

answered Sep 18, 2012 at 14:11

Femaref

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1 Comment

Femaref Over a year ago

Add --no-ff to explicitly generate a merge commit even if it is a fast forward.

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