Merge pull request #199 from kenodegard/disambiguate

Properly disambiguate between branch or file checkout

.github/release-drafter.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+ame-template: 'v$RESOLVED_VERSION'
+tag-template: 'v$RESOLVED_VERSION'
+template: |
+  # What's Changed
+  $CHANGES
+categories:
+  - title: Added
+    labels:
+      - 'changelog:added'
+  - title: Changed
+    labels:
+      - 'changelog:changed'
+  - title: Deprecated
+    labels:
+      - 'changelog:deprecated '
+  - title: Removed
+    labels:
+    - 'changelog:removed'
+  - title: Fixed
+    labels:
+      - 'changelog:fixed'
+  - title: Security
+    labels:
+      - security
+      - changelog:security
+  - title: 'Dependency Updates'
+    labels:
+      - dependencies
+
+version-resolver:
+  major:
+    labels:
+      - 'changelog:removed'
+  minor:
+    labels:
+      - 'changelog:added'
+      - 'changelog:deprecated'
+  patch:
+    labels:
+      - 'changelog:fixed'
+      - 'changelog:security'
+      - 'dependency'
+
+exclude-labels:
+  - 'skip-changelog'

.github/workflows/git-auto-commit.yml

@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 name: git-auto-commit
 
-on: push
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - master
+  pull_request:
 
 jobs:
   git-auto-commit:

.github/workflows/linter.yml

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 name: Lint Code Base
+
 on: push
 
 jobs:

.github/workflows/release-drafter.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+name: Release Drafter
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - master
+
+jobs:
+  update_release_draft:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: release-drafter/release-drafter@v5
+        env:
+          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}

.github/workflows/tests.yml

@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 name: tests
 
-on: push
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - master
+  pull_request:
 
 jobs:
   tests:
@@ -14,4 +18,3 @@ jobs:
 
     - name: Run Tests
       run: yarn test
-

.github/workflows/update-changelog.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+name: "Update Changelog"
+
+on:
+  release:
+    types: [released]
+
+jobs:
+  update:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v2
+        with:
+          ref: master
+
+      - name: Update Changelog
+        uses: stefanzweifel/changelog-updater-action@v1
+        with:
+          release-notes: ${{ github.event.release.body }}
+          latest-version: ${{ github.event.release.name }}
+
+      - name: Commit updated CHANGELOG
+        uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v4
+        with:
+          branch: master
+          commit_message: Update CHANGELOG
+          file_pattern: CHANGELOG.md

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,229 +1,260 @@
 # Changelog
+
 All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](http://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/)
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
-## [Unreleased](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.11.0...HEAD)
+## [Unreleased](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.13.0...HEAD)
 
 > TBD
 
+## [v4.13.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.12.0...v4.13.0) - 2022-01-10
+
+## Added
+
+- Add `skip_checkout` option (#197) @cmbuckley
+
+## Changed
+
+- Add note on minimum permissions to the docs (#180) @ericcornelissen
+
+## [v4.12.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.11.0...v4.12.0) - 2021-09-10
+
+### Added
+
+- Add `commit_hash` output [#172](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/172)
 
 ## [v4.11.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.10.0...v4.11.0) - 2021-05-03
 
 ### Added
-- Add `status_options` and `add_options` option [#156](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/156)
 
+- Add `status_options` and `add_options` option [#156](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/156)
 
 ## [v4.10.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.9.2...v4.10.0) - 2021-04-12
 
 ### Added
-- Add `disable_globbing` option [#153](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/153), [#154](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/154)
 
+- Add `disable_globbing` option [#153](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/153), [#154](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/154)
 
 ## [v4.9.2](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.9.1...v4.9.2) - 2021-03-04
 
 ### Fixes
-- Push created annotated tags to remote by using `--follow-tags` and `--atomic` instead of just `--tags` [#146](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/146)
 
+- Push created annotated tags to remote by using `--follow-tags` and `--atomic` instead of just `--tags` [#146](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/146)
 
 ## [v4.9.1](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.9.0...v4.9.1) - 2021-02-23
 
 ### Changed
-- Revert changes made in v4.9.0. A branch will no longer be automatically generated. [#144](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/144)
 
+- Revert changes made in v4.9.0. A branch will no longer be automatically generated. [#144](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/144)
 
 ## [v4.9.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.8.0...v4.9.0) - 2021-02-20
 
 ### Changed
-- Automatically create branch if a branch with the given name does not exist [#140](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/140)
 
+- Automatically create branch if a branch with the given name does not exist [#140](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/140)
 
 ## [v4.8.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.7.2...v4.8.0) - 2020-12-15
 
 ### Added
+
 - Add `skip_fetch` option to skip the execution of `git-fetch` [#131](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/131)
 
 ### Changed
-- Update `git fetch` to only fetch the latest commit from remote [#131](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/131)
 
+- Update `git fetch` to only fetch the latest commit from remote [#131](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/131)
 
 ## [v4.7.2](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.7.1...v4.7.2) - 2020-10-24
 
 This release basically reverts the Action to the state of `v4.6.0`.
 
 ### Changed
-- Revert change to fix git-checkout with special characters in branch names [#122](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/122)
 
+- Revert change to fix git-checkout with special characters in branch names [#122](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/122)
 
 ## [v4.7.1](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.7.0...v4.7.1) - 2020-10-22
 
 ### Removed
-- Remove `checkout_options` as it broke everything [#120](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/120/)
 
+- Remove `checkout_options` as it broke everything [#120](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/120/)
 
 ## [v4.7.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.6.0...v4.7.0) - 2020-10-21
 
 ### Added
-- Add `checkout_options` [#115](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/115)
 
+- Add `checkout_options` [#115](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/115)
 
 ## [v4.6.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.5.1...v4.6.0) - 2020-10-11
 
 ### Changed
+
 - Make "commit_message" optional and set default commit message to "Apply automatic changes" [#103](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/103), [#110](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/110)
 
 ### Fixes
-- Better support for branch names with special characters in them [#108](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/108)
 
+- Better support for branch names with special characters in them [#108](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/108)
 
 ## [v4.5.1](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.5.0...v4.5.1) - 2020-09-11
 
 ### Removed
+
 - Remove orphan branch feature added in #95 which broke stuff [#98](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/98)
 
 ## [v4.5.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.4.1...v4.5.0) - 2020-09-10
 
 ### Added
+
 - Create orphan branch if branch name does not exist [#95](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/95)
 
 ## [v4.4.1](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.4.0...v4.4.1) - 2020-08-16
 
 ### Changed
-- Include given `file_pattern` in git dirty check [#91](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/91)
 
+- Include given `file_pattern` in git dirty check [#91](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/91)
 
 ## [v4.4.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.3.0...v4.4.0) - 2020-06-26
 
 ### Added
-- Add option to skipt the dirty check and always try to create and push a commit [#82](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/82), [#84](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/84)
 
+- Add option to skipt the dirty check and always try to create and push a commit [#82](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/82), [#84](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/84)
 
 ## [v4.3.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.2.0...v4.3.0) - 2020-05-16
 
 Note: Since v4.3.0 we provide major version tags. You can now use `stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v4` to always use the latest release of a major version. See [#77](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/77) for details.
 
 ### Added
-- Add new `push_options`-input. This feature makes it easier for you to force-push commits to a repository. [#78](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/78), [#72](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/72)
 
+- Add new `push_options`-input. This feature makes it easier for you to force-push commits to a repository. [#78](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/78), [#72](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/72)
 
 ## [v4.2.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.1.6...v4.2.0) - 2020-05-10
 
 ### Changed
-- Use `${{ github.head_ref }}` as default branch value. Therefore, the branch name when listening for `pull_request`-events is optional. [#75](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/75), [#73](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/73)
 
+- Use `${{ github.head_ref }}` as default branch value. Therefore, the branch name when listening for `pull_request`-events is optional. [#75](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/75), [#73](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/73)
 
 ## [v4.1.6](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.1.5...v4.1.6) - 2020-04-28
 
 ### Fixes
+
 - Fix issue where tags could not be created correctly [#68](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/68)
 
 ## [v4.1.5](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.1.4...v4.1.5) - 2020-04-23
 
 ### Added
+
 - Update `file_pattern` to support multiple file paths [#65](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/65)
 
 ### Changes
+
 - Revert changes made in v4.1.4 [#63](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/63)
 
 ### Fixes
+
 - Fix issue with `commit_options` [#64](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/64)
 
 ## [v4.1.4](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.1.3...v4.1.4) - 2020-04-22
 
 ### Fixed
-- Fix bug introduced in previous version, where git user configuration has been placed inline [#62](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/62)
 
+- Fix bug introduced in previous version, where git user configuration has been placed inline [#62](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/62)
 
 ## [v4.1.3](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.1.2...v4.1.3) - 2020-04-18
 
 ### Changed
+
 - Place Git user configuration inline [#59](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/59)
 
 ## [v4.1.2](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.1.1...v4.1.2) - 2020-04-03
 
 ### Fixes
+
 - Fix Issue with `changes_detected`-output [#57](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/57)
 
 ## [v4.1.1](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.1.0...v4.1.1) - 2020-03-14
 
 ### Fixes
-- Fix issue where commit has not been pushed to remote repository, when no `branch`-option has been given [#54](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/54)
 
+- Fix issue where commit has not been pushed to remote repository, when no `branch`-option has been given [#54](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/54)
 
 ## [v4.1.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.0.0...v4.1.0) - 2020-03-05
 
 ### Added
+
 - Add `changes_detected` output [#49](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/49), [#46](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/46)
 - Add `tagging_message` input option to create and push tags [#50](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/50), [#47](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/47)
 
-
 ## [v4.0.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v3.0.0...v4.0.0) - 2020-02-24
 
 ### Changed
+
 - Switch Action to use `node12`-environment instead of `docker`. [#45](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/45)
 
 ## [v3.0.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v2.5.0...v3.0.0) - 2020-02-06
 
 ### Added
+
 - Add `commit_user_name`, `commit_user_email` and `commit_author` input options for full customzation on how the commit is being created [#39](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/39)
 
 ### Changed
+
 - Make the `branch` input option optional [#41](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/41)
 
 ### Removed
-- Remove the need of a GITHUB_TOKEN. Users now have to use `actions/checkout@v2` or higher [#36](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/36)
 
+- Remove the need of a GITHUB_TOKEN. Users now have to use `actions/checkout@v2` or higher [#36](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/36)
 
 ## [v2.5.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v2.4.0...v2.5.0) - 2019-12-18
 
 ### Added
+
 - Add new `repository`-argument [#22](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/22)
 
 ### Changed
-- Extract logic of the Action into methods and into a separate file [#24](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/24)
 
+- Extract logic of the Action into methods and into a separate file [#24](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/24)
 
 ## [v2.4.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v2.3.0...v2.4.0) - 2019-11-30
 
 ### Added
+
 - Commit untracked files [#19](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/19) (fixes [#16](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/16))
 - Add support for Git-LFS [#21](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/21) (fixes [#20](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/20))
 
-
 ## [v2.3.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v2.2.0...v2.3.0) - 2019-11-04
 
 ### Added
-- Add a new `commit_option`-argument. Allows users to define additional commit options for the `git-commit` command. [#14](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/15)
 
+- Add a new `commit_option`-argument. Allows users to define additional commit options for the `git-commit` command. [#14](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/15)
 
 ## [v2.2.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v2.1.0...v2.2.0) - 2019-10-26
 
 ### Added
-- Add new `file_pattern`-argument. Allows users to define which files should be added in the commit. [#13](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/13)
 
+- Add new `file_pattern`-argument. Allows users to define which files should be added in the commit. [#13](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/13)
 
 ## [v2.1.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v2.0.0...v2.1.0) - 2019-09-20
 
 ### Added
+
 - Add `branch`-argument to determine, to which branch changes should be pushed. See README for usage details.
 
 ### Fixed
+
 - Fixes Issue where changes couldn't be pushed to GitHub due to wrong ref-name.
 
 ### Removed
-- Remove `commit_author_email` and `commit_author_name` arguments. The `$GITHUB_ACTOR` is now used as the Git Author
 
+- Remove `commit_author_email` and `commit_author_name` arguments. The `$GITHUB_ACTOR` is now used as the Git Author
 
 ## [v2.0.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v1.0.0...v2.0.0) - 2019-08-31
 
 ### Changed
-- Make Action Compatible with latest beta of GitHub Actions [#3](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/3)
 
+- Make Action Compatible with latest beta of GitHub Actions [#3](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/3)
 
 ## v1.0.0 - 2019-06-10
 
 ### Added
 
 - Add Core Logic for Action
-

README.md

@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ Add the following step at the end of your job, after other steps that might add
 - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v4
 ```
 
+Note that the Action has to be used in a Job that runs on a UNIX system (eg. `ubuntu-latest`).
+If you don't use the default permission of the GITHUB_TOKEN, give the Job or Workflow at least the `contents: write` permission.
+
 The following is an extended example with all possible options available for this Action.
 
 ```yaml
@@ -34,10 +37,10 @@ The following is an extended example with all possible options available for thi
     branch: feature-123
 
     # Optional. Used by `git-commit`.
-    # See https://git-scm.com/docs/git-commit#_options
+    # See https://git-scm.com/docs/git-commit#_options
     commit_options: '--no-verify --signoff'
 
-    # Optional glob pattern of files which should be added to the commit
+    # Optional glob pattern of files which should be added to the commit
     # Defaults to all (.)
     # See the `pathspec`-documentation for git
     # - https://git-scm.com/docs/git-add#Documentation/git-add.txt-ltpathspecgt82308203
@@ -57,8 +60,8 @@ The following is an extended example with all possible options available for thi
     # Action will create and push a new tag to the remote repository and the defined branch
     tagging_message: 'v1.0.0'
 
-    # Optional. Used by `git-status`
-    # See https://git-scm.com/docs/git-status#_options
+    # Optional. Used by `git-status`
+    # See https://git-scm.com/docs/git-status#_options
     status_options: '--untracked-files=no'
 
     # Optional. Used by `git-add`
@@ -75,11 +78,16 @@ The following is an extended example with all possible options available for thi
     # Optional. Skip internal call to `git fetch`
     skip_fetch: true    
     
+    # Optional. Skip internal call to `git checkout`
+    skip_checkout: true
+
     # Optional. Prevents the shell from expanding filenames. 
     # Details: https://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/html_node/Filename-Expansion.html
     disable_globbing: true
 ```
 
+Please note that the Action depends on `bash`. If you're using the Action in a job in combination with a custom Docker container, make sure that `bash` is installed.
+
 ## Example Workflow
 
 In this example, we're running `php-cs-fixer` in a PHP project to fix the codestyle automatically, then commit possible changed files back to the repository.
@@ -122,6 +130,7 @@ Checkout [`action.yml`](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/
 You can use these outputs to trigger other Actions in your Workflow run based on the result of `git-auto-commit-action`.
 
 - `changes_detected`: Returns either "true" or "false" if the repository was dirty and files have changed.
+- `commit_hash`: Returns the full hash of the commit if one was created.
 
 ### Example
 
@@ -137,6 +146,18 @@ You can use these outputs to trigger other Actions in your Workflow run based on
 
 ## Limitations & Gotchas
 
+The goal of this Action is to be "the Action for committing files for the 80% use case". Therefore you might run into issues if your Workflow falls into the not supported 20% portion.
+
+The following is a list of edge cases the Action knowingly does not support:
+
+**No `git pull` when the repository is out of the date with remote.** The will not do a `git pull` before doing the `git push`. **You** are responsible for keeping the repository up to date in your Workflow runs. 
+
+**No support for running the Action in build matrices**. For example, if your Workflow is using build matrices, and you want that each job commits and pushes files to the remote, you will run into the issue, that the repository in the workflow will become out of date. As the Action will not do a `git pull` for you, you have to do that yourself.
+
+**No support for `git rebase` or `git merge`**. There are many strategies on how to integrate remote upstream changes to a local repository. `git-auto-commit` does not want to be responsible for doing that. 
+
+If this Action doesn't work for your workflow, check out [EndBug/add-and-commit](https://github.com/EndBug/add-and-commit).
+
 ### Checkout the correct branch
 
 You must use `action/checkout@v2` or later versions to checkout the repository.
@@ -168,8 +189,10 @@ storing the token as a secret in your repository and then passing the new token
 
 If you work in an organization and don't want to create a PAT from your personal account, we recommend using a [robot account](https://docs.github.com/en/github/getting-started-with-github/types-of-github-accounts) for the token.
 
+## Advanced Uses
 
-### Using the Action in forks from public repositories
+<details>
+<summary>Use in forks from public repositories</summary>
 
 **☝️ Important Notice**: This Action technically works with forks. However, please note that the combination of triggers and their options can cause issues. Please read [the documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/free-pro-team@latest/actions/reference/events-that-trigger-workflows) on which triggers GitHub Actions support.\
 If you use this Action in combination with a linter/fixer, it's easier if you run the Action on `push` on your `main`-branch.
@@ -223,18 +246,71 @@ As you can see, your contributors have to go through hoops to make this work. **
 
 For more information about running Actions on forks, see [this announcement from GitHub](https://github.blog/2020-08-03-github-actions-improvements-for-fork-and-pull-request-workflows/).
 
-### Push to forks from private repositories
+</details>
+
+<details>
+<summary>Push to forks from private repositories</summary>
 
 By default, GitHub Actions doesn't run Workflows on forks from private repositories. To enable Actions for **private** repositories enable "Run workflows from pull requests" in your repository settings.
 
 See [this announcement from GitHub](https://github.blog/2020-08-03-github-actions-improvements-for-fork-and-pull-request-workflows/) or the [GitHub docs](https://docs.github.com/en/github/administering-a-repository/disabling-or-limiting-github-actions-for-a-repository#enabling-workflows-for-private-repository-forks) for details.
 
-### Signing Commits & Other Git Command Line Options
+</details>
+
+<details>
+<summary>
+  Signing Commits & Other Git Command Line Options
+</summary>
 
 Using command lines options needs to be done manually for each workflow which you require the option enabled. So for example signing commits requires you to import the gpg signature each and every time. The following list of actions are worth checking out if you need to automate these tasks regulary.
 
 - [Import GPG Signature](https://github.com/crazy-max/ghaction-import-gpg) (Suggested by [TGTGamer](https://github.com/tgtgamer))
 
+</details>
+
+<details>
+<summary>
+  Using `--amend` and `--no-edit` as commit options
+</summary>
+
+
+
+
+If you would like to use this Action to create a commit using [`--amend`](https://git-scm.com/docs/git-commit#Documentation/git-commit.txt---amend) and [`--no-edit`](https://git-scm.com/docs/git-commit#Documentation/git-commit.txt---no-edit) you need to make some adjustments.
+
+**☝️ Important Notice:** You should understand the implications of rewriting history if you amend a commit that has already been published. [See rebasing](https://git-scm.com/docs/git-rebase#_recovering_from_upstream_rebase)
+
+First, you need to extract the previous commit message by using `git log -1 --pretty=%s`.
+Then you need to provide this last commit message to the Action through the `commit_message` input option.
+
+Finally, you have to use `push_options: '--force'` to overwrite the git history on the GitHub remote repository. (git-auto-commit will not do a `git-rebase` for you!)
+
+The steps in your workflow might look like this:
+
+```yaml
+- uses: actions/checkout@master
+  with:
+    # Fetch the last 2 commits instead of just 1. (Fetching just 1 commit would overwrite the whole history)
+    fetch-depth: 2
+
+# Other steps in your workflow to trigger a changed file
+
+- name: Get last commit message
+  id: last-commit-message
+  run: |
+    echo "::set-output name=msg::$(git log -1 --pretty=%s)"
+
+- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v4
+  with:
+    commit_message: ${{ steps.last-commit-message.outputs.msg }}
+    commit_options: '--amend --no-edit'
+    push_options: '--force'
+    skip_fetch: true
+```
+
+See discussion in [#159](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/159#issuecomment-845347950) for details.
+
+</details>
 
 ## Troubleshooting
 ### Action does not push commit to repository

action.yml

@@ -60,6 +60,10 @@ inputs:
     description: Skip the call to git-fetch.
     required: false
     default: false
+  skip_checkout:
+    description: Skip the call to git-checkout.
+    required: false
+    default: false
   disable_globbing:
     description: Stop the shell from expanding filenames (https://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/html_node/Filename-Expansion.html)
     default: false
@@ -67,6 +71,8 @@ inputs:
 outputs:
   changes_detected:
     description: Value is "true", if the repository was dirty and file changes have been detected. Value is "false", if no changes have been detected.
+  commit_hash:
+    description: Full hash of the created commit. Only present if the "changes_detected" output is "true".
 
 runs:
   using: 'node12'

entrypoint.sh

@@ -55,9 +55,13 @@ _switch_to_branch() {
         git fetch --depth=1;
     fi
 
-    # Switch to branch from current Workflow run
-    # shellcheck disable=SC2086
-    git checkout $INPUT_BRANCH;
+    if "$INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT"; then
+        echo "::debug::git-checkout has not been executed";
+    else
+        # Switch to branch from current Workflow run
+        # shellcheck disable=SC2086
+        git checkout $INPUT_BRANCH --;
+    fi
 }
 
 _add_files() {
@@ -86,6 +90,8 @@ _local_commit() {
         commit -m "$INPUT_COMMIT_MESSAGE" \
         --author="$INPUT_COMMIT_AUTHOR" \
         ${INPUT_COMMIT_OPTIONS:+"${INPUT_COMMIT_OPTIONS_ARRAY[@]}"};
+
+    echo "::set-output name=commit_hash::$(git rev-parse HEAD)";
 }
 
 _tag_commit() {

tests/git-auto-commit.bats

@@ -24,9 +24,10 @@ setup() {
     export INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS=""
     export INPUT_SKIP_DIRTY_CHECK=false
     export INPUT_SKIP_FETCH=false
+    export INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=false
     export INPUT_DISABLE_GLOBBING=false
 
-    # Configure Git
+    # Configure Git
     if [[ -z $(git config user.name) ]]; then
         git config --global user.name "Test Suite"
         git config --global user.email "test@github.com"
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ teardown() {
     rm -rf "${FAKE_TEMP_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"
 }
 
-# Create a fake remote repository which tests can push against
+# Create a fake remote repository which tests can push against
 _setup_fake_remote_repository() {
     # Create the bare repository, which will act as our remote/origin
     rm -rf "${FAKE_REMOTE}";
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ _setup_local_repository() {
     cd "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}";
 }
 
-# Run the main code related to this GitHub Action
+# Run the main code related to this GitHub Action
 git_auto_commit() {
     bash "${BATS_TEST_DIRNAME}"/../entrypoint.sh
 }
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ git_auto_commit() {
 
     assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
     assert_line "::set-output name=changes_detected::true"
+    assert_line -e "::set-output name=commit_hash::[0-9a-f]{40}$"
     assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: master"
     assert_line "INPUT_FILE_PATTERN: ."
     assert_line "INPUT_COMMIT_OPTIONS: "
@@ -106,6 +108,7 @@ git_auto_commit() {
 
     assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
     assert_line "::set-output name=changes_detected::true"
+    assert_line -e "::set-output name=commit_hash::[0-9a-f]{40}$"
     assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: master"
     assert_line "INPUT_FILE_PATTERN: ."
     assert_line "INPUT_COMMIT_OPTIONS: "
@@ -128,6 +131,7 @@ git_auto_commit() {
 
     assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
     assert_line "::set-output name=changes_detected::false"
+    refute_line -e "::set-output name=commit_hash::[0-9a-f]{40}$"
     assert_line "Working tree clean. Nothing to commit."
 }
 
@@ -138,6 +142,7 @@ git_auto_commit() {
 
     assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
     assert_line "::set-output name=changes_detected::false"
+    refute_line -e "::set-output name=commit_hash::[0-9a-f]{40}$"
     assert_line "Working tree clean. Nothing to commit."
 }
 
@@ -150,8 +155,7 @@ git_auto_commit() {
 
     assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
     assert_line "::set-output name=changes_detected::true"
-
-    assert_line "::set-output name=changes_detected::true"
+    refute_line -e "::set-output name=commit_hash::[0-9a-f]{40}$"
     assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: master"
     assert_line "INPUT_FILE_PATTERN: ."
     assert_line "INPUT_COMMIT_OPTIONS: "
@@ -303,7 +307,7 @@ git_auto_commit() {
 }
 
 @test "It can checkout a different branch" {
-    # Create foo-branch and then immediately switch back to master
+    # Create foo-branch and then immediately switch back to master
     git checkout -b foo
     git checkout master
 
@@ -318,7 +322,7 @@ git_auto_commit() {
     assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: foo"
     assert_line "::debug::Push commit to remote branch foo"
 
-    # Assert a new branch "foo" exists on remote
+    # Assert a new branch "foo" exists on remote
     run git ls-remote --heads
     assert_output --partial refs/heads/foo
 }
@@ -378,6 +382,19 @@ git_auto_commit() {
     assert_line "::debug::git-fetch has not been executed"
 }
 
+@test "If SKIP_CHECKOUT is true git-checkout will not be called" {
+
+    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
+
+    INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=true
+
+    run git_auto_commit
+
+    assert_success
+
+    assert_line "::debug::git-checkout has not been executed"
+}
+
 @test "It pushes generated commit and tag to remote and actually updates the commit shas" {
     INPUT_BRANCH=""
     INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE="v2.0.0"
@@ -408,7 +425,7 @@ git_auto_commit() {
 }
 
 @test "It pushes generated commit and tag to remote branch and updates commit sha" {
-    # Create "a-new-branch"-branch and then immediately switch back to master
+    # Create "a-new-branch"-branch and then immediately switch back to master
     git checkout -b a-new-branch
     git checkout master
 
@@ -448,7 +465,7 @@ git_auto_commit() {
     mkdir "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/nested
     touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/nested/new-file-b.py
 
-    # Commit changes
+    # Commit changes
     echo "Commit changes before running git_auto_commit";
     cd "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}";
     git add . > /dev/null;
@@ -474,3 +491,45 @@ git_auto_commit() {
     run git status
     refute_output --partial 'nested/new-file-b.py'
 }
+
+@test "it does not throw an error if not changes are detected and SKIP_DIRTY_CHECK is false" {
+    INPUT_FILE_PATTERN="."
+    INPUT_SKIP_DIRTY_CHECK=false
+    INPUT_SKIP_FETCH=false
+
+    run git_auto_commit
+
+    assert_success
+
+    assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
+    assert_line "::set-output name=changes_detected::false"
+
+    run git status
+    assert_output --partial 'nothing to commit, working tree clean'
+}
+
+@test "It does not throw an error if branch is checked out with same name as a file or folder in the repo" {
+
+    # Add File called dev and commit/push
+    echo "Create dev file";
+    cd "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}";
+    echo this is a file named dev > dev
+    git add dev
+    git commit -m 'add file named dev'
+    git update-ref refs/remotes/origin/master master
+    git update-ref refs/remotes/origin/dev master
+
+    # ---
+
+    INPUT_BRANCH=dev
+
+    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{4,5,6}.txt
+
+    run git_auto_commit
+
+    assert_success
+
+    assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
+    assert_line "::set-output name=changes_detected::true"
+    assert_line "::debug::Push commit to remote branch dev"
+}