How to Properly Close the Git Commit Message Editor on Windows

Committing changes to your code is a fundamental Git workflow. When working on a Git managed project, you make modifications to files and then commit batches of changes to create snapshots of development progress.

Developers rely on Git‘s strong commit model to track changes, collaborate with others and roll back when needed.

So clearly, creating quality commits consistently is essential for any Git repository workflow.

In this comprehensive 2600+ word guide, you‘ll learn insider tips and best practices for saving and correctly closing the Git commit message editor across various platforms – preventing potential commit errors and problems.

We‘ll cover:

• The importance of properly closing the commit editor
• Core internal mechanics of how Git handles commits
• Closing commit editors on Windows, Linux and macOS
• Fixing common errors when closing editors incorrectly
• Customizing editors andGit GUIs for simplified committing
• Industry best practices for smoothly managing repository commits

Follow along and you‘ll fully understand how to close editors like VS Code, Vim and Emacs after adding commit messages as an expert Git user.

Why Properly Closing the Editor Matters

When executing git commit, Git opens the configured text editor program to allow you to write a message summarizing changes. After saving the message file and closing the editor correctly, Git will complete creating the commit.

But what happens if you inadvertently close the editor without properly saving? Or exit out halfway through writing the message?

Potential problems include:

• Data loss: Message is not saved, commit can‘t be completed
• Process blocking: Terminal or IDE locked awaiting editor close
• Repository errors: Unrecoverable corruption if crashes during commit
• Confusion: Accidental extra commits or merging issues

Essentially if the text editor is not closed correctly after adding a commit message, Git does not finalize the commit. The repository can be left in a partial state leading to all kinds of errors.

That‘s why properly saving the commit message and fully closing out of the configured text editor cleanly is critical for developers.

Understanding exactly how Git handles commit workflows internally makes the consequences more clear…

Git‘s Internal Commit Workflow

To appreciate why properly closing the text editor matters, let‘s briefly summarize Git‘s sequence of steps when you execute git commit:

1. Git snapshots the current file state and prepares the index
2. The editor program launches to accept your commit message
3. Editor opens a temporary file allowing you to write a message
4. You finish writing a message in the editor and save changes
5. The editor program exits cleanly and closes fully
6. Git receives editor closure notification
7. Git finalizes the commit with your message and updates states

The key takeaway is your configured text editor runs as a separate process that Git relies on:

• Git waits for the editor to close before finalizing the commit
• A crash or incomplete close interrupts the commit process
• Losing commit data if message not saved properly

So not only is it important to write clear commit messages — but just as crucial is closing the editor correctly so Git can complete incorporating changes.

With that background, let‘s now see how to properly close commit editors on each major operating system…

Closing Commit Editors on Windows

Given Windows prevalence in corporate environments, properly creating commits in Windows is essential for most developers.

Let‘s examine closing techniques for the top Git editors used with Windows.

Closing Notepad++

Notepad++ is a popular editor choice – lightweight and easy to configure. Follow these steps to correctly close an open commit message in Notepad++:

1. After running git commit, Notepad++ opens with a blank temp file
2. Type your commit summary message in Notepad++
3. Click File -> Save or press Ctrl + S to save message to file
4. Click the X close button or press Esc key to close Notepad++ fully
5. Notepad++ disappears and Git will now finalize the commit

This ensures your commit message is safely written to disk and Notepad++ exits completely for Git to finish.

Here is an example commit session showcasing the process:

The key sequence to remember:

• Ctrl + S to save message
• Esc or X button to close editor cleanly

Follow that and you‘ll properly close Notepad++ for rock solid Git commits.

Closing Visual Studio Code

As a popular free developer IDE, Visual Studio Code sees frequent usage as Git‘s commit editor.

Here is how to correctly close VS Code when writing commit messages:

1. After git commit, VS Code initializes with a new temp file
2. Write your commit summary message in VS Code
3. Click File > Save or press Ctrl + S to save
4. Close the file by clicking the X or with Ctrl + W
5. VS Code exits fully allowing Git to finalize the commit

So the sequence in VS Code is:

• Save with Ctrl + S
• Close with X button or Ctrl + W

This ensures VS Code writes the message and exits completely for Git to wrap up.

Closing Vim/Vi

As a modal editor popular on Linux, Vim requires following specific steps for saving files and exiting cleanly.

When the Vim editor opens to add a commit message:

1. Press i to enter INSERT editing mode
2. Write out your commit summary message
3. Press Esc to exit INSERT mode back to COMMAND mode
4. Type :wq to write changes and quit Vim
5. Press Enter and Vim will close fully with Git finishing the commit

The Vim closure sequence to internalize:

i -> Write Message -> Esc -> :wq -> Enter

This Vim/Vi editor flow properly saves your commit message and exits nicely allowing Git to finalize the commit.

Closing Emacs

Emacs is a robust, fully programmable editor often found in Linux and developer circles.

Committing in Emacs requires entering keyboard shortcuts:

1. After git commit, Emacs opens with a buffer containing the temp commit message file
2. Write your commit summary message in Emacs
3. Enter CTRL+X then CTRL+S to Save the buffer
4. Now enter CTRL+X then CTRL+C to Close Emacs fully
5. Emacs discretely closes letting Git wrap up commit

So in Emacs, etch this sequence into memory:

• Save with Ctrl + X Ctrl + S
• Close with Ctrl + X Ctrl + C

And you‘ll seamlessly make commits without any Emacs issues.

Handling Editor Crashes

In some cases, the configured text editor may crash or shutdown during the commit process.

If the editor disappears without saving properly – your commit will fail.

When the editor crashes, you may also be left with a frozen terminal if Git is waiting for the save/close notification.

To recover:

1. Force quit the terminal/IDE to unfreeze
2. Clear the Git index state with git reset
3. Try committing again being careful about editor issues

Ideally configure a stable editor that does not crash often. Vim, Notepad++, VS Code and Emacs are all safe choices.

Closing Commit Editors on Linux

Given Linux‘s popularity among developers and running major Git hosting solutions like GitHub, properly creating commits on Linux must be second nature.

While Linux offers developer-friendly editors like Vim and Emacs, the steps to close these after writing Git commit messages remains similar to Windows.

That said – when configured correctly, native Linux apps tend to play most nicely with command line Git workflows.

Vim and Emacs on Linux

As native Linux apps, both Vim and Emacs can be great choices for crafting commit messages:

• Vim supports powerful modal editing and terminal integration
• Emacs touts extensive customizability and programming extensibility

And the steps to correctly save commit messages and close these editors is the exact same as outlined in the Windows section above.

For reminder:

Vim:

i -> Write -> Esc -> :wq -> Enter

Emacs:

Ctrl+X Ctrl+S -> Ctrl+X Ctrl+C

Following those signature sequences will allow cleanly exiting Vim/Emacs on Linux so Git can wrap up commits.

GUI Editors on Linux

Linux offers several graphical editor options as well like:

• Gedit – Default GUI text editor on Gnome
• Kate – Default editor on KDE desktops
• Sublime – Popular cross-platform lightweight editor

The graphical nature of these apps can simplify closing:

1. Type commit message
2. Click File -> Save
3. Select File-> Quit

Much like Notepad++, ensure you Save before Closing the app fully.

And graphical editors can help avoid command line confusion when starting out.

Closing Commit Editors on MacOS

While MacOS offers a Unix foundation similar to Linux, there are some unique quirks to understand when committing code edits especially for newer developers.

Let‘s examine proper closing procedures for default Mac text editors.

Closing Visual Studio Code on Mac

Visual Studio Code is quickly becoming many Mac developer‘s editor of choice given Apple‘s focus on pushing hybrid iOS/MacOS apps written with React Native, Electron and other web technologies.

Thankfully closing VS Code after writing a Git commit message on MacOS follows similar conventions to Windows and Linux:

1. Type commit summary in VS Code
2. File -> Save or CMD+S to save
3. Close with X button or CMD+W
4. VS Code exits fully allowing commit completion

So to recap, in VS Code for Mac:

• CMD+S to save
• CMD+W or X to close

Matching the Save then Close paradigm ensures Git commits properly on Mac.

Closing from Terminal Editors

As a Unix-based OS, terminal usage is common on Mac. And developers may find themselves occasionally committing from the native nano editor.

To successfully save and close from nano when Git opens it:

1. Type commit message
2. CTRL+O to save
3. CTRL+X to exit nano fully

Repeating those steps will allow correctly closing terminal-based editors on Mac vs graphical apps.

Default Data Loss Guard

Interestingly, MacOS offers a guard against data loss for force quitting apps without saving properly.

If you accidentally Force Quit an app like an editor before saving:

• Mac will automatically reopen the app
• App shows recoverable documents from last session
• Ability to save work before fully closing

This provides essentially an "Are you sure?" style warning to prevent permanent data loss.

A nice feature given OS Xi‘s increased focus on app stability and security.

Customizing Your Editor and Git Experience

Beyond understanding closing procedures for common editors, power users can customize and smooth Git committing by:

• Hooking up editor integrations with Git
• Configuring simplified Git GUIs
• Leveraging robust IDE commit workflows

Let‘s analyze each option.

Editor Integrations

Advanced text editors like VSCode integrate tightly with source control:

Similar functionality is offered by Atom, Sublime, Emacs, Vim and others.

Benefits include:

• See diff markers, history and statuses inline
• Shortcut buttons to commit, push, pull etc
• Streamlined branch management
• Review commits before closing editors

These integrations drastically improve committing workflows – preventing editors closing prematurely.

Simplifying with a GUI

Rather than pure command line, graphical Git clients can simplify committing:

• GitHub Desktop – Easy to configure, great for beginners
• GitKraken – Extremely intuitive and helpful timeline view
• GitExtensions – Powerful open-source Windows GUI

Benefits of GUIs include:

• Commit changes easily via clickable interface
• No command line complexity closing editors
• Undo commits safely even post-editor closure
• Generally stable performance

For those struggling with the command line, installing a GUI client smoothes out complications.

Committing Inside IDEs

Nearly all modern developer IDEs like Visual Studio, Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA offer built-in Git tools:

Similar to editor integrations but more deeply embedded – prime IDE benefits are:

• Local file diffs before committing
• Inline old commit viewing
• Amending commits post-closure safely
• Checkout remote branches easily
• UI buttons for common commands

Leveraging IDE Git functionality prevents needing to manage external editors. Changes are committed easily within the IDE interface you already use daily.

Best Practices for Commit Hygiene

Beyond mechanics of closing editors – it‘s worth discussing best practices seasoned developers follow for commit hygiene – keeping repositories tidy through:

• Smaller, focused commits – Instead of one huge monthly commit, break changes into logical pieces.
• Consistent messages – Follow templates if useful, be precise.
• Present tense – "Fix login bug" not "fixed login bug"
• Fixup/amend commits to keep history clean and readable
• Tag releases to mark meaningful milestones

Adopting these commit habits will help even after you properly close editors and finalize commits.

Over time your project‘s commit timeline becomes an invaluable record of the evolution of code. So treat it seriously.

Recovering from Accidental Closures

Despite best efforts, at some point we all accidentally botch closing the configured editor.

Thankfully with Git, several options exist to recover from a mistaken force quit, lost commit message or premature editor closing:

• Reset state fully with git reset --hard
• Revert specific files with git checkout <file>
• Amend previous commit message if just exited early
• See the reflog history for commit hash details
• Use git commit --allow-empty to commit again
• Switch to a GUI client with undo capabilities

Essentially clearing out index/workspace state and attempting commit again fresh. Or amending commits post-closure.

With those tools, accidental premature closing or lost messages aren‘t the end of the world.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

And with that complete 2600+ word deep dive, you‘re now equipped to professionally handle saving and correctly closing the Git commit message editor on all major platforms to prevent repository problems and frustration that often snare beginners.

We covered core concepts like:

• Why properly closing editors matters
• How Git finalizes commits
• Closing procedures for Notepad++, VS Code, Vim, Emacs and more
• Special MacOS data loss protections
• Leveraging editor integrations and IDE tools
• Best practices for commit management
• Fixing accidental closing issues

Feel free to bookmark this page for reference. And don‘t hesitate to reach out with any other questions on elegantly committing code changes with Git version control.

Next recommended steps:

• Configure your default text editor of choice
• Practice commits locally to grow familiar
• Review key Git documentation for deeper fundamentals
• Try out a graphical client like GitHub Desktop

Here‘s to shipping quality code edits with confidence!