git-coauthor

Insert an additional author to the last Git commit

$ git coauthor [name] [name@example.com]

git coauthor [options]

-a | --add
    Adds a new co-author to the configuration file.

-s | --search
    Searches the configuration file for co-authors matching the search term.

-l | --list
    Lists all co-authors in the configuration file.

-h | --help
    Displays help information.

The `git-coauthor` command is a helper script designed to simplify the process of adding co-authors to Git commits. It enables users to easily include the names and email addresses of collaborators in the commit message, following the conventions established by projects like the Linux kernel for attributing work. This script streamlines the process of adding proper attribution by facilitating the creation of formatted `Co-authored-by:` trailers. The tool helps with searching existing co-authors, add new co-authors to a configuration file, and adding them quickly while making the commits.

The effectiveness of `git-coauthor` depends on adherence to the Co-authored-by: trailer convention. It is a convenience tool and does not enforce any specific policies around co-authoring.

The script typically stores co-author information in a local configuration file. The location of this file may vary depending on the system and the specific implementation of `git-coauthor`. Consult the script's documentation or help output for details.

A typical workflow involves adding co-authors using the `-a` option, then using the script to search and select co-authors when creating a commit. The selected co-authors' information is then appended to the commit message in the correct format.

The history of `git-coauthor` is linked to the growing recognition of the need to properly attribute contributions in open-source projects. It was developed to automate the generation of `Co-authored-by:` trailers in commit messages, a practice popularized by projects like the Linux kernel.

git-commit(1), git(1)