Conventional Commits is a specification website that documents a standardized format for git commit messages. The project uses Hugo as its static site generator and is hosted on Netlify, with the specification content organized in versioned markdown files that support multiple language translations.
The specification addresses the problem of inconsistent commit message formatting across projects by defining a structured convention that includes a type, optional scope, and description. This approach enables automated tooling to parse commits, generate changelogs, and determine semantic versioning bumps based on commit history. The specification distinguishes between different commit types such as features, fixes, and breaking changes, allowing machines to understand the semantic meaning of changes at a glance.
Teams should adopt this specification if they want to standardize commit messages across their projects and enable automation around changelog generation and versioning. It suits any project that values clear commit history and wants to reduce friction in release management. The project welcomes contributions focused on refining specification language, fixing typos, and adding translations to make the standard accessible across language communities.
The project maintains a clear separation between the current specification version and a next version branch where changes are staged. Local development is streamlined through a docker-compose setup that allows contributors to preview changes before submission. The contribution process is straightforward, with documented procedures for adding translations and modifying specification content through pull requests.
