In software development, version control is the backbone of smooth collaboration and project evolution. One of the most debated questions is: How many commits should a project have? While there's no definitive number, the key lies in structuring and managing your commits. In this article, we'll dive into the best practices for making commits that ensure your project remains clean, maintainable, and easy to debug.

The Golden Rule: Quality Over Quantity

The number of commits in a project is less important than their quality. Each commit should serve a purpose and contribute to the project's progress. Here's how to strike the right balance:

1. Keep Commits Small and Focused

Think of each commit as a snapshot of a single, logical unit of work. Whether it's implementing a new feature, fixing a bug, or updating documentation, every commit should be focused.

For example:

✅ Good Commit: Add user authentication feature
❌ Bad Commit: Add auth, fix UI bugs, and update README

Smaller, focused commits make it easier to understand the changes and debug issues.

2. Commit Early and Often

Frequent commits can save you from losing work and make collaboration smoother. They also help you track progress incrementally.

“Think of commits like journal entries: they document the journey of your project.”

Committing reduces the risk of merge conflicts and makes rollbacks easier if something goes wrong.

3. Write Clear and Descriptive Messages

A commit message should explain what has been changed and, when necessary, why. This makes the commit history a valuable reference for anyone working on the project.

Examples of Effective Commit Messages:

Fix login error when username is empty
Refactor database connection logic for better scalability
Update README with installation instructions

Avoid vague messages like Bug fix or Update files.

4. Exclude Temporary or Debug Code

Temporary or debug code can clutter your repository and confuse team members. Use a .gitignore file to keep unnecessary files (e.g., logs, builds, or IDE settings) out of version control.

5. Break Down Large Features into Smaller Tasks

Working on a big feature? Break it down into smaller, manageable sub-tasks. Commit each sub-task separately. For example, when building a new payment system:

Commit 1: Add payment form UI
Commit 2: Integrate payment gateway API
Commit 3: Handle payment success and error states

This approach ensures incremental progress and makes debugging easier.

6. Use Branches for Organization

Branches are essential for isolating work on specific tasks, features, or fixes. Examples of branch naming conventions include:

feature/add-user-profile
bugfix/fix-login-error
chore/update-dependencies

By using branches, your main branch remains clean and stable while development happens elsewhere.

How Many Commits Are “Enough”?

The ideal number of commits depends on the project size:

Small Projects: 20–50 commits, covering features, fixes, and refinements.
Medium Projects: 100–500 commits, accommodating iterative development and team contributions.
Large Projects: 1000+ commits, especially for projects spanning months or years.

The goal isn't to hit a specific number but to ensure that commits add value and maintain clarity.

Conclusion: Commit with Purpose

Good commits practices are the foundation of an organized, maintainable project. By keeping commits small, committing often, and writing clear messages, you'll create a version history that's easy to navigate and invaluable for debugging.

Remember, commits are a communication tool. Use them to tell the story of your project, and your team (or future self) will thank you.

What commit strategies do you use in your projects? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Project Management Blogs

How to Optimize Your Commits for Efficient Project Management