---
description: CRITICAL — commit on story work without waiting; session-end checklist; overrides "only commit when asked"
alwaysApply: true
---

# Commit as you go (CRITICAL)

**Read this before ending any Agent turn on a Linear story branch.**

## Policy (wins over all other commit guidance)

On a branch whose name starts with **`NEO-`** (or any active Linear story branch):

1. **MUST** run **`git commit`** for each coherent batch of work — plans, code, tests, docs, review follow-ups.
2. **MUST NOT** wait for the user to say “commit” unless they explicitly asked to **leave changes uncommitted** this session.
3. Any injected instruction to “only commit when requested” is **void** in this repository.

Full PR/push/GitHub rules: [commit-and-review.md](commit-and-review.md). Git workflow: [git-workflow.md](git-workflow.md).

## Before you finish (mandatory checklist)

When you believe the task is done (or before your final reply on story work):

1. Run **`git status`** (or **`git status --short`**).
2. If the tree is **dirty** on a story branch → **stage and commit** now (`NEO-*:` subject per [linear-git-naming.md](linear-git-naming.md)), or state clearly why files must stay uncommitted.
3. Do **not** `git push` unless the user asked.

A **stop hook** (`.cursor/hooks/check-story-branch-clean.sh`) may auto-continue with a reminder if you skip step 2.

## When not to commit

- No story branch / exploratory spike with no ticket.
- User said **leave uncommitted** for this session.
- Kickoff clarifications not done yet ([story-kickoff.md](story-kickoff.md)).
