Commit-Sync: A Smarter Way to Work with AI — or Without It
Version control shouldn’t feel like version chaos.
Whether you’re writing code, designing a website, editing stories, or collaborating across tools like ChatGPT, WindSurf, or Cursor, the Commit-Sync method helps keep you (and your tools) on the same page.
Note:
This guide is written for solo developers working independently with Git.
If you’re working in a team or contributing to shared repositories, some practices may differ.
A follow-up guide on team workflows, conflict handling, and collaboration best practices is coming soon.
Why We Made This
We kept running into the same problem:
“I’m working with AI (or just moving fast), but I keep losing track of what changed, where, and why.”
So we created a flexible, repeatable markdown-based commit workflow that works great:
-
With AI (like ChatGPT, Cursor, WindSurf) -
Manually (on your own) -
Collaboratively (with human teammates or AI partners)
It’s not fancy — it just works.
What It Does
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Prevents messy commit logs
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Makes AI-generated or team-assisted changes more trackable
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Adds structure to projects with no formal Git process
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Works across code, markdown, story drafts, HTML, config files and more
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Saves time, sanity, and “wait… what changed again?” moments
How To Use It
Below is the guide — written in clean Markdown — so you can copy, adapt, or embed it into your own workflow.
Git Commit-Sync Protocol
This workflow defines a reliable, step-by-step Git process for any project team or solo developer. Whether you’re using AI automation or just want consistent manual practices, this guide is designed to ensure code is always tested and reviewed before deployment.
Core Workflow Rules
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Test First: Never commit untested code. -
Explicit Confirmation: Ask before every action. Never assume the next step.
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Controlled Pushes: Don’t push to GitHub without review.
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Scope Discipline: Stay within the assigned file scope.
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No Silent Deployments: Do not trigger deployment pipelines unless explicitly approved.
This workflow can be followed manually or embedded in an AI tool that offers structured, clickable options.
Commit - Sync - Push Workflow
Step 1: Confirm Testing
Prompt the user:
Have all tests been completed?
Options:
-
[
YES – Continue to commit ] -
[
NO – Stop and test first ]
Step 2: Stage and Commit
Prompt the user:
Ready to stage and commit your changes?
Options:
-
[
YES – Show commit commands ] -
[
NO – Return to testing ]
If YES, show:
git add .
git commit -m "Descriptive commit message"
Follow-up prompt:
Execute the commit?
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[
YES – Run commit ] -
[
NO – Cancel commit ]
Step 3: Sync and Validate Local State
Prompt the user:
Sync with origin and review local status?
Options:
-
[
YES – Show sync commands ] -
[
NO – Pause here ]
If YES, show:
git pull
git status
git log
Follow-up prompt:
Proceed with sync?
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[
YES – Run sync ] -
[
NO – Cancel sync ]
Step 4: Push to GitHub
Prompt the user:
Push changes to remote repository?
Options:
-
[
YES – Show push command ] -
[
NO – Wait for final approval ]
If YES, show:
git push origin main
Follow-up prompt:
Confirm push now?
-
[
YES – Execute push ] -
[
NO – Hold push ]
Notes for Teams
This guide is ideal for use with:
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Automated Git assistants (e.g., AI copilots like ChatGPT, Cursor, WindSurf)
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Internal tooling scripts
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Junior team onboarding
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Personal consistency for solo developers
Every prompt ensures your team (or AI assistant) gets explicit confirmation before touching critical systems.
Tip: This process can be used fully manually—just follow the steps above in your own terminal. It works just as well without automation.
This process was developed by Dennis Ayotte through real-world testing — both AI-assisted and fully manual.
It’s free to adapt for your own workflow. If it helps you stay sane, even better.
Refined with help from ChatGPT, tested extensively with WindSurf, and minimally (but successfully) with Cursor.