diff --git a/src/commands/helpers.ts b/src/commands/helpers.ts
index 6f21917..8041122 100644
--- a/src/commands/helpers.ts
+++ b/src/commands/helpers.ts
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async function squashCommit(branch: string, cwd: string): Promise<void> {
   if (diff.trim()) {
     const gen = await vm.claudePipe(
       diff,
-      "write a short commit message summarizing these changes. output only the message, no quotes or extra text",
+      "write a commit message for these changes following the 50/72 rule: subject line ≤50 chars, blank line, body wrapped at 72 chars. the body should briefly explain what changed and why. output only the message, no quotes or extra text.",
     )
     if (gen.exitCode === 0 && gen.stdout.trim()) {
       await git.commit(gen.stdout.trim(), cwd)
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ export async function saveChanges(worktree: string, branch: string, message?: st
 
     const gen = await vm.claudePipe(
       diff,
-      "write a short commit message summarizing these changes. output only the message, no quotes or extra text",
+      "write a commit message for these changes following the 50/72 rule: subject line ≤50 chars, blank line, body wrapped at 72 chars. the body should briefly explain what changed and why. output only the message, no quotes or extra text.",
     )
 
     if (gen.exitCode !== 0) {
@@ -152,6 +152,6 @@ export async function saveChanges(worktree: string, branch: string, message?: st
     return false
   }
 
-  spin.succeed(`Saved: ${msg}`)
+  spin.succeed(`Saved: ${msg.split("\n")[0]}`)
   return true
 }