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

From
Mirko Faina <mroik@delayed.space>
Date
Mar 6, 2026, 23:34 UTC
Message-ID
<c522f47e5b574c0c889c40284c71c36158b6bb6e.1772839973.git.mroik@delayed.space>
In-Reply-To
<cover.1772839973.git.mroik@delayed.space>

Using "--cover-letter" we can tell format-patch to generate a cover letter, in this cover letter there's a list of commits included in the patch series and the format is specified by the "--cover-letter-format" option. Would be useful if this format could be configured from the config file instead of always needing to pass it from the command line.

Teach format-patch how to read the format spec for the cover letter from the config files. The variable it should look for is called format.commitListFormat.

Possible values:
  - commitListFormat is set but no string is passed: it will default to
    "[%(count)/%(total)] %s"
  - 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)"
  - if commitListFormat is not set: it will default to the shortlog
    format.
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 &&
-- 
2.53.0.5.gbe7197aef5
Previous: MroikNext: Phillip Wood
Message 73 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

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