Using git commit -a with vim

Question

I'm new with git, so I decided to learn git using the tutorials of github. The third chapter said:

"For this first example we’ll modify the README file to add ourselves as an author on the project. So we simply edit the file. Now we want to commit that change, so we run the git commit -a command."

When I use the git commit -a command, the console opens a vim and I wrote my message, but I don't know how to close this vim editor from the console. How do I save the message and close vim?

This graphical cheat sheet is very useful: viemu.com/vi-vim-cheat-sheet.gif. I use it as my desktop wallpaper. — yasouser
– yasouser, Commented May 23, 2011 at 17:47
@Jean - What platform are you on, and are you using console or GUI Vim? Don't you get an introductory text (version number, author and so on) on the start screen? — Rook
– Rook, Commented Feb 14, 2012 at 1:45
Does this answer your question? Git commit in terminal opens VIM, but can't get back to terminal — mkrieger1
– mkrieger1, Commented Aug 27, 2023 at 11:00

abcd · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-23 15:02:13Z

212

In vim, you save a file with :wEnter while in the normal mode (you get to the normal mode by pressing Esc).
You close your file with :q while in the normal mode.

You can combine both these actions and do Esc:wqEnter to save the commit and quit vim.

As an alternate to the above, you can also press ZZ while in the normal mode, which will save the file and exit vim. This is also easier for some people as it's the same key pressed twice.

edited May 23, 2011 at 15:02

answered May 23, 2011 at 14:48

abcd

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7 Comments

David Basarab Over a year ago

You can also do git commit -a -m "your message here" that will not bring up VIM.

abcd Over a year ago

@David: Of course. A lot of these questions here are because people forget the -m option and then are thrown inside a vim window and don't know how to get out.

gen_Eric Over a year ago

@yoda: You can also get to normal mode by using ctrl+c. Also, it's Shift+(z+z) to save and quit (two capital Z's).

abcd Over a year ago

@Rocket: You're correct. I didn't realize I had entered z instead of Z.

abcd Over a year ago

@EEva: Yes, but I'd rather not teach that to a newbie, as if they forget the :, then they start deleting characters, and then that leads to panic 2.

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Uku Loskit · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-23 14:54:37Z

74

Instead of trying to learn vim, use a different easier editor (like nano, for example). As much as I like vim, I do not think using it in this case is the solution. It takes dedication and time to master it.

git config core.editor "nano"

answered May 23, 2011 at 14:54

Uku Loskit

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1 Comment

hyperslug Over a year ago

That's funny; nano was default on Ubuntu and I couldn't figure out how to save so I used your command to switch to vim.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 10:31:17Z

12

See this thread for an explanation: VIM for Windows - What do I type to save and exit from a file?

As I wrote there: to learn Vimming, you could use one of the quick reference cards:

Also note How can I set up an editor to work with Git on Windows? if you're not comfortable in using Vim but want to use another editor for your commit messages.

If your commit message is not too long, you could also type

git commit -a -m "your message here"

edited May 23, 2017 at 10:31

CommunityBot

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answered May 23, 2011 at 14:43

eckes

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2 Comments

David Basarab Over a year ago

You can also follow this answer to get out of vim stackoverflow.com/questions/6098742/using-git-commit-a-with-vim/…

Jorge Leitao Over a year ago

While this is true, it is not advisable.

cdunn2001 · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-28 08:01:37Z

9

The better question is: How do I interrupt the commit when I quit vim?

There are 2 ways:

:cq or :cquit
Delete all lines of the commit message, including comments, and then :wq

Either way will give git an error code, so it will not proceed with the commit. This is particularly useful with git commit --amend.

edited Apr 28, 2015 at 8:01

answered Feb 14, 2012 at 1:21

cdunn2001

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cdunn2001 Over a year ago

Btw, I remember this from Ham radio lingo. At the start of Contact, after her father dies, young Ellie (Jena Malone) tells the Universe, "CQ CQ CQ". That means, "Calling all stations."

Abizern · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-23 14:49:58Z

6

Try ZZ to save and close. Here is a bit more info on using vim with Git

answered May 23, 2011 at 14:49

Abizern

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Comments

chrisl-921fb74d · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-23 14:53:38Z

1

To exit hitting :q will let you quit.

If you want to quit without saving you can hit :q!

A google search on "vim cheatsheet" can provide you with a reference you should print out with a collection of quick shortcuts.

http://www.fprintf.net/vimCheatSheet.html

answered May 23, 2011 at 14:53

chrisl-921fb74d

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Anubhav trivedi · Accepted Answer · 2022-08-20 15:04:30Z

0

Bro use these steps First step

tap on Esc -for to come out from insert writing mode

Second step Press shift+;

Third Step At last write wq and hit enter

Wq is use for to save and exit

answered Aug 20, 2022 at 15:04

Anubhav trivedi

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1 Comment

Jean Over a year ago

thanks "bro" but this question was create 11 years ago

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