Optionally disable Git auto-commit

[btzdnl]

Describe the enhancement

Make automatic Git commits optional. Do not create a commit when saving a file.

Use cases

I want to control when and what to commit. I do not want Device Builder to interfere with my existing repository.

Visual examples

No response

Anything else?

It appears the new Device Builder now supports/uses Git. This is entirely hidden from the user. Unfortunately, it essentially “took over” my existing Git repository and is now creating commits on every save. This is not the development style I use or want.

Original feature request: https://github.com/orgs/esphome/discussions/3687

[theglus]

This is an especially concerning issue as it could potentially result in Personally Identifiable Information ending up on GH (SSID, WiFi passwords, IP addresses, encryption keys, etc.).

[soif]

Original (closed) issue at: esphome/device-builder#1719

---

What happened?

• upgraded to ESPHome 2026.6.x Home Assistant add-on
• existing /config/esphome already contained a Git repository
• editing a YAML file in the GUI now performs

git add
git commit

author: ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
commit message: "Edit FILENAME.yaml"

• no prompt
• no configuration option
• no release note or migration warning
• no documentation describing this behavior

Device Builder is modifying an existing Git repository that it did not create. This changes repository history and interferes with established Git workflows. If this behavior is intentional, it should be opt-in (or at least configurable), and clearly documented.

---

Dashboard version

ESPHome Device Builder v1.0.10 ESPHome 2026.6.1

How did you install it?

Home Assistant App (preview toggle)

Where is it running?

Home Assistant App

Relevant logs / errors

soif@electro esphome % git log --format=fuller -5
commit bdb4b2be83ea77a1b64104c0773acfbfceedf4ee (HEAD -> master)
Author:     ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
AuthorDate: Sat Jun 27 19:32:25 2026 +0200
Commit:     ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
CommitDate: Sat Jun 27 19:32:25 2026 +0200

    Edit gate-d.yaml

commit 0b27429bff0bb6cf2fa290ef003b0bbaa1b1e213
Author:     ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
AuthorDate: Sat Jun 27 19:32:08 2026 +0200
Commit:     ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
CommitDate: Sat Jun 27 19:32:08 2026 +0200

    Edit gate-d.yaml

commit c50927e12d044f718ac7d3d18c9dd44337d999fe
Author:     ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
AuthorDate: Sat Jun 27 19:17:24 2026 +0200
Commit:     ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
CommitDate: Sat Jun 27 19:17:24 2026 +0200

    Edit gate-d.yaml

commit cf94bb911c56751eabad5ccbb87f2bce37356562
Author:     ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
AuthorDate: Sat Jun 27 10:45:49 2026 +0200
Commit:     ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
CommitDate: Sat Jun 27 10:45:49 2026 +0200

    Edit gate-d.yaml

commit fab00b918fda428d0094df6a1f6098d491ee4984
Author:     ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
AuthorDate: Sat Jun 27 10:42:28 2026 +0200
Commit:     ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
CommitDate: Sat Jun 27 10:42:28 2026 +0200

    Edit gate-d.yaml
soif@electro esphome % git show --stat HEAD
commit bdb4b2be83ea77a1b64104c0773acfbfceedf4ee (HEAD -> master)
Author: ESPHome Device Builder <device-builder@esphome.io>
Date:   Sat Jun 27 19:32:25 2026 +0200

Anything else?

[w531t4]

i support the need for this feature. also just found my repo being commandeered by esphome device builder. no thanks.

[w531t4]

possible this isn't a feature-request, but should be a bug

[bdraco]

esphome/device-builder-frontend#1051

[w531t4]

@bdraco ty

[smolbo]

In my case it crumpled my IDE even worse. I had project structure like:

myproj/
   .git/
   someStuff/
   runtime/
     esphome/config/
     otherService1/
     otherService2/

ESPHome builder created .git/ inside esphome/config, while there were files already under root git. I edit them externally and used esphome dashboard just to compile/log/check status. After changing to 2026.6.0 - my ide git handler just exploded, because .git/ inside esphome/config/ had detached head, created under esphome docker user and all my files were looking like not committed at all. Surprisingly command line git was working ok. Currently I just removed .git/* inside esphome/config. But definitely those changes should be opt-in, not the default settings (even for beginners, probably through initial setup wizard). You never know, how do people use different software. Also after moving to 2026.6.0 - it become significantly slower and at least one flashing method does not appear (and flashing throug browser serial integration is veeeeeeeeeeery slow).