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Despite similar questions that have been posted in the community, I have not seen this specific question addressed.

I am trying to change the default text editor used by git to Sublime. I am using a Windows machine and downloaded Sublime 3.

Initially, I was running the command git config --global core.editor "'C:\\Program Files\\Sublime Text 3\\sublime_text.exe' -n -w" in Git Bash, then when I ran a git commit it did not open an editor (it just used the Git Bash "editor").

However, when I add the flag -m to my git config: --global core.editor "'C:\\Program Files\\Sublime Text 3\\sublime_text.exe' -n -w -m" and run Git commit it now opens up the Notepad editor.

Note I have not changed any of the path or default text editor settings in Windows, I am only trying to have Sublime open up when running git commands.

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  • 2
    Can you please update your question with the output of git config --list --show-origin | grep -i core.editor ? This will let us know if your configuration is correct and is not being overridden. Commented Nov 24, 2016 at 19:03
  • @AshutoshJindal The output of git config --list --show-origin | grep -i core.editor produces this result: file:C:/Users/ryanj/.gitconfig core.editor='c:/program files/sublime text 3/subl.exe' -w file:.git/config core.editor=notepad Commented Nov 25, 2016 at 4:39
  • FYI, the "Git Bash editor" is called Vim. Commented Nov 25, 2016 at 4:44
  • Did you read this answer? Commented Nov 25, 2016 at 4:48
  • @Code-Apprentice yes, I read the answer but potentially I'm missing something- is there something specific that you're pointing to? Commented Nov 25, 2016 at 5:17

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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Try this:

git config --global core.editor "'c:/program files/sublime text 3/subl.exe' -w"

This worked for me (i.e. on performing a git commit a Sublime Text window opened up where I was able to type the commit message and after saving and closing the window, I checked that this commit had the commit message that I had just typed in with a git show) on Windows 10 with Git for Windows version 2.10.2 and Sublime Text 3 build 3126

Note that the windows command line helper subl.exe was introduced in Build 3065 on 27 August 2014, so this should work on any build including and after #3065 :

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Update: Git config scopes!

The output that OP posted in response to the first comment clearly shows the problem:

Command:

git config --list --show-origin | grep -i core.editor file:C:/Users/ryanj/.gitconfig core.editor='c:/program files/sublime text 3/subl.exe' -w file:.git/config core.editor=notepad

OP's has a repository level configuration for core.editor which is notepad and overrides the global configuration which is set to what he expects (i.e. Sublime Text 3).

To fix this, run the following:

git config --unset core.editor

and confirm that git config --list --show-origin | grep -i core.editor shows you only ONE configuration file (i.e. c:/users/ryanj/.gitconfig) with Sublime Text 3 set as the editor.

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3 Comments

@Ashtosh Jindal I ran the command you listed: git config --global core.editor "'c:/program files/sublime text 3/subl.exe' -w", but when I run Git commit it's still opening in Notepad. Further, when I run git var GIT_EDITOR it lists "notepad"
Have updated my answer, try running git config --unset core.editor and re-run git config --list --show-origin | grep -i core.editor and post output.
@Ashtosh Jindal that worked! Now running git config --list --show-origin | grep -i core.editoronly produces one line: $ git config --list --show-origin | grep -i core.editor file:C:/Users/ryanj/.gitconfig core.editor='c:/program files/sublime text 3/subl.exe' -w. Furthermore, running git commit opens Sublime Text. Thanks!

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