Working with Claude Code

You've crammed a LOT of Git and GitHub into your brain this module. Now for the good news... you don't have to memorize all those commands. Claude Code can handle the Git work for you!

Claude Code Knows Git#

Claude Code understands Git really well. Here's a taste of what it can do.

• Create commits with good messages
• Create and switch branches
• Push code to GitHub
• Create Pull Requests
• Merge branches
• Resolve conflicts
• And plenty more!

The Commit Command#

The easiest way to commit is to just ask. Type "commit my changes" and Claude Code checks what changed, writes a message that actually describes it and makes the commit.

If you want a shortcut, Anthropic's official plugin marketplace has a free plugin called commit-commands that adds one. Install it from inside Claude Code.

/plugin install commit-commands@claude-plugins-official

Pick where to install it (just for you is fine), and then the command shows up as this.

/commit-commands:commit

(Type /commit and the menu filters down to it, so you don't have to type the whole thing.)

When you run it, Claude Code goes through a lil routine.

1. Check which files have changed
2. Review what you modified
3. Write a clear commit message
4. Stage the files and create the commit

You don't have to write the commit message yourself. Claude Code reads your changes and writes a message that actually describes them. It does NOT push, so your commit stays on your computer until you push it.

How to Use the Commit Command#

Step 1. Make Your Changes#

Work on your project. Edit files, add features, fix bugs, whatever you've got going on.

Step 2. Run It#

When you're ready to save, type /commit-commands:commit in Claude Code (or just say "commit my changes").

Step 3. Check the Message#

The plugin commits right away, then you can see the message it wrote. Don't love it? Ask Claude to reword the last commit before you push.

Step 4. Push When You're Ready#

Say "push to GitHub" and your commit goes up. The same plugin also has /commit-commands:commit-push-pr, which commits, pushes and opens a pull request in one shot.

Creating Pull Requests with Claude#

You can also ask Claude Code to open Pull Requests for you.

You. "Create a pull request for my changes"

Claude Code will

1. Check your current branch
2. Push it to GitHub if it needs to
3. Create a PR with a good title and description
4. Hand you the link so you can look at it

Common Git Tasks with Claude#

Here's how to ask Claude Code for the everyday Git stuff.

Claude Code Writes Good Commit Messages#

Commit messages matter. They help you figure out what changed and why, especially three months from now. Claude Code writes messages that check all the right boxes.

• Clear and short
• Describe what changed
• Follow best practices
• Use the right format

So instead of these...

• "fix stuff"
• "updates"
• "asdf"

Claude Code writes these.

• "Fix login button not responding on mobile"
• "Add search feature to homepage"
• "Update user profile page styling"

When to Still Know the Commands#

Even with Claude Code doing the Git work, it helps to know what's going on under the hood.

1. Troubleshooting - If something goes sideways, you'll understand the error messages
2. Learning - Watching the commands go by teaches you a little more every time
3. Communication - You can talk to developers using the right words
4. Backup - If Claude Code isn't around, you can still handle the basics

TL;DR#

• Claude Code can handle your Git and GitHub work
• Say "commit my changes" (or use the commit-commands plugin) for quick, well-written commits
• Ask for what you want in plain English
• Claude Code writes better commit messages than most humans (low bar, honestly)
• Knowing the Git basics still helps, even when Claude does the work

What's Next?#

You finished the GitHub module! Here's everything you've got down now.

• What Git and GitHub are
• How to create and manage repositories
• The add, commit, push workflow
• How branches and Pull Requests work
• How to automate with GitHub Actions
• How Claude Code makes Git easier

Next up is the Git Workflows module, where you'll pick up the moves the pros lean on, like feature branches, worktrees, forks and keeping long projects organized...