Everything you need to set up BuildTrace and start logging commits with AI summaries.
Get up and running in under 60 seconds. Three steps, zero config.
Sign up at BuildTrace and grab your API key from Settings > API Key.
Run the init command inside any git repository:
$ npx buildtrace initYou'll be asked for your project name and API key. This installs a silent post-commit git hook.
Make a commit like you normally would. BuildTrace captures it automatically and generates an AI summary (on paid plans). Open your dashboard to see it.
The BuildTrace CLI installs a git hook that silently logs commits to your dashboard. It never blocks or slows your workflow.
Interactive setup wizard. Run this inside any git repo to connect it to BuildTrace.
# What it does:
.git/hooks/post-commit hook.buildtrace in your repo rootCheck the current BuildTrace configuration for this repo. Displays project name, API key status, and hook installation status.
Remove the BuildTrace git hook and config from this repo. Your dashboard data is not deleted — you can re-init anytime.
Export your commit logs to a BUILDLOG.md file in your repo root. Logs are grouped by date with commit details, AI summaries, and next steps included.
# What it does:
BUILDLOG.md to your repo root{
"project": "my-app",
"hash": "a3f8b2c",
"message": "Fix login bug",
"branch": "main",
"files_changed": ["src/auth.ts", "src/login.tsx"],
"lines_added": 47,
"lines_removed": 12,
"diff": "..."
}The diff is used by Claude AI to generate plain-English summaries (Builder and Pro plans).
The dashboard is where you view all your projects, read AI summaries, and manage your account.
Your main dashboard shows a grid of all connected projects. Each card displays the project name, last commit timestamp, and total commit count. Click a project to see its full commit timeline.
Inside a project, commits are listed chronologically with the most recent at the top. Each entry shows the commit hash, branch, message, files changed, and lines added/removed. On paid plans, you'll also see the AI-generated summary.
Available on Builder ($9/mo) and Pro ($19/mo) plans. Claude AI reads your commit diff and generates a plain-English summary of what changed and why. It also suggests next steps so you always know where to pick up.
Access your API key, manage your subscription, configure Slack/Discord webhook notifications, connect Slack slash commands, and set up Notion integration (Pro plan). You can regenerate your API key anytime — just update it in your repos with npx buildtrace init.
Connect BuildTrace to Slack and Discord for real-time commit notifications and slash commands. Available on Builder and Pro plans.
Get a Slack message every time you commit. BuildTrace sends a rich notification with the commit message, branch, files changed, and AI summary.
# Setup:
Get a Discord embed every time you commit with the same rich information as the Slack integration.
# Setup:
Query BuildTrace directly from Slack. Connect your workspace in Settings > Slack Commands and use these commands in any channel:
/buildtrace statusYour latest 5 commits across all projects
/buildtrace streakCurrent streak, total commits, lines changed, and activity insights
/buildtrace summaryAI-generated recap of what you worked on in the past week
/buildtrace helpShow all available commands
Slash commands require a one-time OAuth connection from your Settings page. Responses are ephemeral (only visible to you).
All plans include commit logging. Upgrade for AI summaries and integrations.
| Feature | Free | Builder $9/mo | Pro $19/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projects | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Commit history | 30 days | Forever | Forever |
| Commit logging | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI summaries | No | Yes | Yes |
| Next step suggestions | No | Yes | Yes |
| Slack/Discord webhooks | No | Yes | Yes |
| Slack slash commands | No | Yes | Yes |
| Notion export | No | No | Yes |
| Team sharing | No | No | Up to 3 |
| Public changelogs | No | No | Yes |
Run "npx buildtrace status" in your repo to verify the hook is installed and your API key is valid. Make sure you're committing (not just saving files). The hook runs on git commit, not on file save.
Yes. BuildTrace works with any tool that uses git under the hood. If your tool makes git commits, BuildTrace will capture them automatically.
No. The post-commit hook sends data asynchronously in the background. Your commit completes instantly — the API call happens after.
Run "npx buildtrace init" again in your repo on the new machine. Use the same API key and project name. Your existing history is preserved.
Go to Settings > API Key in the dashboard and click "Regenerate". Then run "npx buildtrace init" again in each repo to update the key.
Running "npx buildtrace uninstall" removes the git hook and local config. Your commit history on the dashboard is preserved. You can re-init anytime.
BuildTrace sends the commit diff (not your full codebase) to generate AI summaries. Diffs are processed by Claude AI and are not stored beyond generating the summary. You can use the Free plan (no AI) if you prefer not to send diffs.
Yes. You can delete individual commit logs from the dashboard. Deleting a project removes all its associated logs.
Set up in 30 seconds. Free forever for 1 project.
$ npx buildtrace init