How can I auto-update a metadata file on each commit using Git/GitHub Desktop?

[ghareh-gozlou]

I’m working with a local GitHub repository using GitHub Desktop to manage commits and pushes. I’d like to automatically update a metadata block (in a for example .pl script) with details like: - date - author - Version number . I know Git stores this info internally, but I want a visible file in the repo that updates with each commit. GitHub Desktop doesn’t support Git hooks—so what are the best workarounds? Can I use a script that runs before each commit to extract Git info and update metadata block inside the files? Any tools, patterns, or ideas from folks who've tackled something similar would be much appreciated!

[ghareh-gozlou]

Hi @rushhiii
Thanks alot! It was spot on and helped me resolve the issue!

[Mursith-Sharma]

Create a script that:

Extracts Git info.

Updates metadata in target files.

Runs before you manually commit in GitHub Desktop.

Example (Bash or PowerShell):
bash
Copy
Edit
#!/bin/bash

Get Git info

author=$(git config user.name)
date=$(date "+%Y-%m-%d")
version=$(git describe --tags --always)

File to update

file="script.pl"

Replace metadata block

sed -i '' -E "s/^# Author:./# Author: $author/" "$file"
sed -i '' -E "s/^# Date:./# Date: $date/" "$file"
sed -i '' -E "s/^# Version:.*/# Version: $version/" "$file"
You would run this script before clicking "Commit" in GitHub Desktop.

or

Use Git GUI With Hook Support (Optional Switch)
If you want fully automatic metadata update, switch from GitHub Desktop to tools like:

GitKraken

Sourcetree

Terminal-based Git clients (with pre-commit hooks)

These allow custom Git hooks, where you can add a pre-commit script to auto-update files.