How to Use Visual Studio Code as Your Git Commit Editor

Struggling with the default Git commit editor? Learn how to set `Visual Studio Code` as your preferred editor for a smoother version control experience.
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How to Use Visual Studio Code as Your Git Commit Editor

Introduction

As you dive into the world of Git, it's common to face a few challenges, especially when it comes to committing changes in your projects using version control. One common frustration for newcomers is the default Git commit editor that opens in the terminal instead of your preferred code editor.

If you find yourself in the terminal waiting awkwardly for input—often with confusing keybinds that seem unresponsive—you may be wondering how to ease this process. Fortunately, there's a solution! In this post, we'll explore how you can set up Visual Studio Code as your default Git commit editor to streamline your workflow.

Understanding the Problem

When you execute the git commit command without using the -m flag, Git attempts to open a text editor for you to write your commit message. Depending on your environment, this might default to a terminal-based editor like Nano or Vim, which can be unintuitive for those not familiar with command-line text editors.

Common Issues:

The editor opens in the Bash terminal, making it hard to navigate.

Keybinds to exit or save don't seem to work as expected.

The overall experience feels cumbersome and unfriendly.

The Solution: Set Visual Studio Code as Your Default Editor

To make your experience smoother, you can easily change the default editor Git uses. By following these steps, you can set up Visual Studio Code as your preferred Git commit editor.

Step-by-Step Guide

Open Your Terminal: Whether you're using Command Prompt, Git Bash, or any terminal emulator, this is where we'll enter the command.

Run the Command: Type the following command and hit Enter:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

What This Does:

The git config command modifies Git's configuration.

The --global option applies this change to all of your Git repositories.

"code --wait" tells Git to open Visual Studio Code and wait for you to finish your commit message before returning control back to the terminal.

Test Your Configuration: Navigate to a Git repository in your terminal and type:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Without the -m flag. This should now open Visual Studio Code, allowing you to type your commit message in a familiar interface.

Benefits of Using Visual Studio Code

User-Friendly Interface: VS Code offers a clear, graphical interface that's easier for most users than terminal-based editors.

Extensions: You can enhance your workflow further with various extensions available in VS Code.

Easy Navigation: Familiar shortcuts and navigation make writing commit messages less of a hassle.

Conclusion

By setting Visual Studio Code as your default Git commit editor, you're removing a common barrier that many new Git users face. This simple adjustment can help make your learning experience with Git not only easier but also more intuitive.

Now that you know how to configure your editor, feel free to explore the other powerful features that Git and Visual Studio Code have to offer!

If you run into any issues or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and share your experiences. Happy coding!