git/list[1] front-page[2] threads[3] people[4] search[5] about
 

Re: [PATCH v7 4/5] format-patch: add commitListFormat config

From
PWPhillip Wood <phillip.wood123@gmail.com>
Date
Mar 11, 2026, 10:32 UTC
Message-ID
<3fb4baf7-a820-401d-815b-a0b7c11fe6c3@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To
<xmqqikb3ws3e.fsf@gitster.g>
On 10/03/2026 16:45, Junio C Hamano wrote:
Show 16 quoted lines
> Phillip Wood <phillip.wood123@gmail.com> writes:
> 
>>> Possible values:
>>>     - commitListFormat is set but no string is passed: it will default to
>>>       "[%(count)/%(total)] %s"
>>
>> It is unusual for an empty config value to mean something different from
>> it not being set. The reason for this is that it allows
>>
>>       git -c config.key some-command
>>
>> to act as though config.key was not set.
> 
> That syntax is the same as setting config.key=true; disabling the
> feature triggered by config.key is quite counter-intuitive, isn't
> it?

I'd forgotten about the boolean case, I was thinking about an empty or missing value clearing multi-valued keys which is quite common I think. Anyway we seem to agree that we don't want to use a missing value to signal a default here. The suggestion below using true and false seems quite reasonable to me.

Thanks
Phillip
Show 177 quoted lines
> We are by default using "shortlog", but use of this configuration
> variable is a sign that the user wants to use a more modern custom
> format that is not the traditional "shortlog".  It would be quite
> natural to invoke the modern default by setting it to "true" (i.e.,
> "I want to enable the new format.commitlistformat feature, but I am
> not saying which format, and the "log:[%(count)/%(total)] %s" format
> is used).
> 
> Perhaps "format.commitlistformat = false" should disable the modern
> format and fall back to "shortlog", setting it to true (including
> the use of "valueless true" syntax) should enable it and use the
> modern default "log:[%c/%t] %s" format, and non-bool text should be
> used as a custom specification ("shortlog", or "log:<format>")?
> 
> I.e.
> 
> 	switch (git_parse_maybe_bool_text(value)) {
>          case 0: /* false */
> 		fmt_cover_letter_commit_list = "shortlog";
> 		break;
> 	case 1: /* true - use the modern default format */
> 		fmt_cover_letter_commit_list = "log:[%c/%t] %s";
> 		break;		
> 	default:
> 		fmt_cover_letter_commit_list = value;
> 		break;
> 	}
> 
> Hmm?
> 
> 
>> It would be nice to support a default format on the commandline as well.
> 
> 
>>
>>>     - if a string is passed: will use it as a format spec. Note that this
>>>       is either "shortlog" or a format spec prefixed by "log:"
>>>       e.g."log:%s (%an)"
>>
>> Having the config value behave like --cover-letter-format=<value> is
>> sensible
>>
>>>     - if commitListFormat is not set: it will default to the shortlog
>>>       format.
>>
>> makes sense
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Phillip
>>
>>> Signed-off-by: Mirko Faina <mroik@delayed.space>
>>> ---
>>>    builtin/log.c           | 21 ++++++++++++++++
>>>    t/t4014-format-patch.sh | 53 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>>>    2 files changed, 74 insertions(+)
>>>
>>> diff --git a/builtin/log.c b/builtin/log.c
>>> index 95e5d9755f..5fec0ddaf9 100644
>>> --- a/builtin/log.c
>>> +++ b/builtin/log.c
>>> @@ -886,6 +886,7 @@ struct format_config {
>>>    	char *signature;
>>>    	char *signature_file;
>>>    	enum cover_setting config_cover_letter;
>>> +	char *fmt_cover_letter_commit_list;
>>>    	char *config_output_directory;
>>>    	enum cover_from_description cover_from_description_mode;
>>>    	int show_notes;
>>> @@ -930,6 +931,7 @@ static void format_config_release(struct format_config *cfg)
>>>    	string_list_clear(&cfg->extra_cc, 0);
>>>    	strbuf_release(&cfg->sprefix);
>>>    	free(cfg->fmt_patch_suffix);
>>> +	free(cfg->fmt_cover_letter_commit_list);
>>>    }
>>>    
>>>    static enum cover_from_description parse_cover_from_description(const char *arg)
>>> @@ -1052,6 +1054,19 @@ static int git_format_config(const char *var, const char *value,
>>>    		cfg->config_cover_letter = git_config_bool(var, value) ? COVER_ON : COVER_OFF;
>>>    		return 0;
>>>    	}
>>> +	if (!strcmp(var, "format.commitlistformat")) {
>>> +		struct strbuf tmp = STRBUF_INIT;
>>> +		strbuf_init(&tmp, 0);
>>> +		if (value)
>>> +			strbuf_addstr(&tmp, value);
>>> +		else
>>> +			strbuf_addstr(&tmp, "log:[%(count)/%(total)] %s");
>>> +
>>> +		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->fmt_cover_letter_commit_list);
>>> +		git_config_string(&cfg->fmt_cover_letter_commit_list, var, tmp.buf);
>>
>>
>>
>>> +		strbuf_release(&tmp);
>>> +		return 0;
>>> +	}
>>>    	if (!strcmp(var, "format.outputdirectory")) {
>>>    		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->config_output_directory);
>>>    		return git_config_string(&cfg->config_output_directory, var, value);
>>> @@ -2329,6 +2344,12 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc,
>>>    		goto done;
>>>    	total = list.nr;
>>>    
>>> +	if (!cover_letter_fmt) {
>>> +		cover_letter_fmt = cfg.fmt_cover_letter_commit_list;
>>> +		if (!cover_letter_fmt)
>>> +			cover_letter_fmt = "shortlog";
>>> +	}
>>> +
>>>    	if (cover_letter == -1) {
>>>    		if (cfg.config_cover_letter == COVER_AUTO)
>>>    			cover_letter = (total > 1);
>>> diff --git a/t/t4014-format-patch.sh b/t/t4014-format-patch.sh
>>> index 458da80721..4891389a53 100755
>>> --- a/t/t4014-format-patch.sh
>>> +++ b/t/t4014-format-patch.sh
>>> @@ -428,6 +428,59 @@ test_expect_success 'cover letter no format' '
>>>    	test_line_count = 1 result
>>>    '
>>>    
>>> +test_expect_success 'cover letter config with count, subject and author' '
>>> +	test_when_finished "rm -rf patches result" &&
>>> +	test_when_finished "git config unset format.coverletter" &&
>>> +	test_when_finished "git config unset format.commitlistformat" &&
>>> +	git config set format.coverletter true &&
>>> +	git config set format.commitlistformat "log:[%(count)/%(total)] %s (%an)" &&
>>> +	git format-patch -o patches HEAD~2 &&
>>> +	grep -E "^[[[:digit:]]+/[[:digit:]]+] .* \(A U Thor\)" patches/0000-cover-letter.patch >result &&
>>> +	test_line_count = 2 result
>>> +'
>>> +
>>> +test_expect_success 'cover letter config with count and author' '
>>> +	test_when_finished "rm -rf patches result" &&
>>> +	test_when_finished "git config unset format.coverletter" &&
>>> +	test_when_finished "git config unset format.commitlistformat" &&
>>> +	git config set format.coverletter true &&
>>> +	git config set format.commitlistformat "log:[%(count)/%(total)] (%an)" &&
>>> +	git format-patch -o patches HEAD~2 &&
>>> +	grep -E "^[[[:digit:]]+/[[:digit:]]+] \(A U Thor\)" patches/0000-cover-letter.patch >result &&
>>> +	test_line_count = 2 result
>>> +'
>>> +
>>> +test_expect_success 'cover letter config commitlistformat set but no format' '
>>> +	test_when_finished "rm -rf patches result" &&
>>> +	test_when_finished "git config unset format.coverletter" &&
>>> +	test_when_finished "git config unset format.commitlistformat" &&
>>> +	git config set format.coverletter true &&
>>> +	printf "\tcommitlistformat" >> .git/config &&
>>> +	git format-patch -o patches HEAD~2 &&
>>> +	grep -E "^[[[:digit:]]+/[[:digit:]]+] .*" patches/0000-cover-letter.patch >result &&
>>> +	test_line_count = 2 result
>>> +'
>>> +
>>> +test_expect_success 'cover letter config commitlistformat set to shortlog' '
>>> +	test_when_finished "rm -rf patches result" &&
>>> +	test_when_finished "git config unset format.coverletter" &&
>>> +	test_when_finished "git config unset format.commitlistformat" &&
>>> +	git config set format.coverletter true &&
>>> +	git config set format.commitlistformat shortlog &&
>>> +	git format-patch -o patches HEAD~2 &&
>>> +	grep -E "^A U Thor \([[:digit:]]+\)" patches/0000-cover-letter.patch >result &&
>>> +	test_line_count = 1 result
>>> +'
>>> +
>>> +test_expect_success 'cover letter config commitlistformat not set' '
>>> +	test_when_finished "rm -rf patches result" &&
>>> +	test_when_finished "git config unset format.coverletter" &&
>>> +	git config set format.coverletter true &&
>>> +	git format-patch -o patches HEAD~2 &&
>>> +	grep -E "^A U Thor \([[:digit:]]+\)" patches/0000-cover-letter.patch >result &&
>>> +	test_line_count = 1 result
>>> +'
>>> +
>>>    test_expect_success 'reroll count' '
>>>    	rm -fr patches &&
>>>    	git format-patch -o patches --cover-letter --reroll-count 4 main..side >list &&
Previous: Junio C HamanoNext: Junio C Hamano
Message 79 of 113 in “format-patch: better commit list for cover letter”
  1. format-patch: better commit list for cover letterMirko Faina, Feb 20, 2026
  2. format-patch: better commit list for cover letterMirko Faina, Feb 20, 2026
  3. Mirko FainaFeb 21, 2026
  4. Junio C HamanoFeb 21, 2026
  5. Mirko FainaFeb 21, 2026
  6. Junio C HamanoFeb 21, 2026
  7. Junio C HamanoFeb 21, 2026
  8. Mirko FainaFeb 21, 2026
  9. Junio C HamanoFeb 21, 2026
  10. Mirko FainaFeb 21, 2026
  11. 0/3 format-patch: add cover-letter-format optionMirko Faina, Feb 24, 2026
  12. Mirko FainaFeb 24, 2026
  13. 0/2 format-patch: add cover-letter-format optionMirko Faina, Feb 24, 2026
  14. 1/2 format-patch: add ability to use alt cover formatMirko Faina, Feb 24, 2026
  15. Junio C HamanoFeb 24, 2026
  16. Mirko FainaFeb 24, 2026
  17. Junio C HamanoFeb 25, 2026
  18. Jeff KingFeb 25, 2026
  19. Junio C HamanoFeb 24, 2026
  20. Jeff KingFeb 25, 2026
  21. Mirko FainaFeb 25, 2026
  22. 2/2 format-patch: add commitListFormat configMirko Faina, Feb 24, 2026
  23. Junio C HamanoFeb 24, 2026
  24. Mirko FainaFeb 25, 2026
  25. Junio C HamanoFeb 25, 2026
  26. Mirko FainaFeb 26, 2026
  27. Junio C HamanoFeb 26, 2026
  28. Junio C HamanoFeb 24, 2026
  29. Junio C HamanoFeb 24, 2026
  30. Mirko FainaFeb 25, 2026
  31. Junio C HamanoFeb 25, 2026
  32. 0/4 format-patch: add cover-letter-format optionMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  33. 1/4 pretty.c: add %(count) and %(total) placeholdersMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  34. 2/4 format-patch: move cover letter summary generationMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  35. 4/4 format-patch: add commitListFormat configMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  36. 3/4 format-patch: add ability to use alt cover formatMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  37. Junio C HamanoFeb 27, 2026
  38. Mirko FainaFeb 27, 2026
  39. 0/4 format-patch: add cover-letter-format optionMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  40. 1/4 pretty.c: add %(count) and %(total) placeholdersMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  41. 3/4 format-patch: add ability to use alt cover formatMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  42. 2/4 format-patch: move cover letter summary generationMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  43. 4/4 format-patch: add commitListFormat configMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  44. 5/4 docs: add usage for the cover-letter fmt featureMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  45. Junio C HamanoFeb 27, 2026
  46. Mirko FainaFeb 27, 2026
  47. Junio C HamanoFeb 27, 2026
  48. 0/5 format-patch: add cover-letter-format optionMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  49. 1/5 pretty.c: add %(count) and %(total) placeholdersMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  50. 2/5 format-patch: move cover letter summary generationMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  51. 3/5 format-patch: add ability to use alt cover formatMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  52. 4/5 format-patch: add commitListFormat configMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  53. 5/5 docs: add usage for the cover-letter fmt featureMirko Faina, Feb 27, 2026
  54. Junio C HamanoMar 6, 2026
  55. Mirko FainaMar 6, 2026
  56. 0/5 format-patch: add cover-letter-format optionMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  57. 1/5 pretty.c: add %(count) and %(total) placeholdersMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  58. 2/5 format-patch: move cover letter summary generationMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  59. 3/5 format-patch: add ability to use alt cover formatMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  60. Junio C HamanoMar 10, 2026
  61. Mirko FainaMar 10, 2026
  62. 4/5 format-patch: add commitListFormat configMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  63. 5/5 docs: add usage for the cover-letter fmt featureMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  64. Junio C HamanoMar 6, 2026
  65. 0/5 format-patch: add cover-letter-format optionMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  66. 1/5 pretty.c: add %(count) and %(total) placeholdersMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  67. Phillip WoodMar 10, 2026
  68. Mirko FainaMar 10, 2026
  69. 2/5 format-patch: move cover letter summary generationMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  70. 3/5 format-patch: add ability to use alt cover formatMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  71. Phillip WoodMar 10, 2026
  72. MroikMar 10, 2026
  73. 4/5 format-patch: add commitListFormat configMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  74. Phillip WoodMar 10, 2026
  75. Junio C HamanoMar 10, 2026
  76. Mirko FainaMar 10, 2026
  77. Phillip WoodMar 11, 2026
  78. Junio C HamanoMar 11, 2026
  79. Phillip WoodMar 11, 2026
  80. Junio C HamanoMar 11, 2026
  81. Mirko FainaMar 10, 2026
  82. 5/5 docs: add usage for the cover-letter fmt featureMirko Faina, Mar 6, 2026
  83. Bert WesargMar 10, 2026
  84. Phillip WoodMar 10, 2026
  85. 0/4 format-patch: add cover-letter-format optionMirko Faina, Mar 12, 2026
  86. 1/4 format-patch: move cover letter summary generationMirko Faina, Mar 12, 2026
  87. Junio C HamanoMar 12, 2026
  88. 2/4 format-patch: add ability to use alt cover formatMirko Faina, Mar 12, 2026
  89. Junio C HamanoMar 12, 2026
  90. Mirko FainaMar 12, 2026
  91. Junio C HamanoMar 12, 2026
  92. Junio C HamanoMar 12, 2026
  93. Phillip WoodMar 13, 2026
  94. Junio C HamanoMar 13, 2026
  95. Mirko FainaMar 13, 2026
  96. Junio C HamanoMar 13, 2026
  97. 3/4 format-patch: add "chronological" format for coverMirko Faina, Mar 12, 2026
  98. Junio C HamanoMar 12, 2026
  99. 4/4 format-patch: add commitListFormat configMirko Faina, Mar 12, 2026
  100. Junio C HamanoMar 12, 2026
  101. Junio C HamanoMar 12, 2026
  102. Mirko FainaMar 12, 2026
  103. Junio C HamanoMar 12, 2026
  104. 1/3 pretty.c: fix null pointer dereferenceMirko Faina, Feb 24, 2026
  105. Junio C HamanoFeb 24, 2026
  106. Mirko FainaFeb 24, 2026
  107. Mirko FainaFeb 24, 2026
  108. Jeff KingFeb 24, 2026
  109. 2/3 format-patch: add ability to use alt cover formatMirko Faina, Feb 24, 2026
  110. Jeff KingFeb 24, 2026
  111. Mirko FainaFeb 24, 2026
  112. Jeff KingFeb 24, 2026
  113. 3/3 format-patch: add commitListFormat configMirko Faina, Feb 24, 2026

Read the whole thread, see it on lore, or plain text.

$ cat FOOTERMessages come from the public archive at lore.kernel.org/git, fetched every hour. The front page is chosen and written each morning by an AI editor and can be wrong; the threads themselves are the record. About and API. For agents: an MCP server at https://gitlist.dev/mcp, and any thread, story or person page as Markdown by adding .md to its URL (or sending Accept: text/markdown). Details in /llms.txt.