/bl-record - Git-Branchless Record

Category: Git Workflow

Record staged/unstaged changes as a new commit using git-branchless. Optionally create a branch for the commit.

Usage

/bl-record [-m <message>] [--create-branch]

Options

Option	Description
-m <message>	Commit message (required)
--create-branch	Create a branch for PR submission (uses -c flag)

Examples

# Record with message
/bl-record -m "feat: add user validation"

# Record and create branch for PR
/bl-record -m "fix: handle null input" --create-branch

Execution Instructions

1. Check Prerequisites

   • Verify git-branchless is installed
   • Verify repository is initialized for branchless
   • Check we're in detached HEAD state

2. Stage Changes (if needed)

   • Run git status to check for changes
   • If unstaged changes exist, run git add -A to stage all

3. Record the Commit

   • If --create-branch is provided:

     git branchless record -c -m "<message>"
     

     Then immediately return to detached HEAD:

     git checkout --detach
     

   • Otherwise:

     git branchless record -m "<message>"
     

4. Show Result

   • Run git sl to display the updated stack
   • Confirm the new commit was added

Flow Examples

User: /bl-record -m "feat: add user model"

Agent: Recording changes...

Staged changes:
  A src/models/user.py
  M src/models/__init__.py

Running: git branchless record -m "feat: add user model"

◆ abc1234 (main) initial commit
┃
● def5678 feat: add user model  ← New commit

Commit recorded successfully.

User: /bl-record -m "fix: validate email" --create-branch

Agent: Recording changes with branch creation...

Staged changes:
  M src/validators.py

Running: git branchless record -c -m "fix: validate email"
Branch created: fix-validate-email

Returning to detached HEAD...
Running: git checkout --detach

◆ abc1234 (main) initial commit
┃
● ghi9012 fix: validate email (fix-validate-email)  ← New commit with branch

Commit recorded with branch for PR submission.
Use /bl-submit to push the branch.

Error Handling

Error	Resolution
No changes to record	Inform user there's nothing to commit
Not in detached HEAD	Warn and suggest git checkout --detach
git-branchless not installed	Provide installation command
Repo not initialized	Suggest /bl-init

Why Detach After Branch Creation?

When using -c to create a branch, git-branchless checks out that branch. We immediately detach again to maintain the branchless workflow where you work in detached HEAD and only create branches when submitting PRs.