feat: support local-only git commits without remotes

docs/ABSTRACTIONS.md

@@ -336,6 +336,13 @@ interface ModifiedFile {
   status: 'modified' | 'added' | 'deleted' | 'untracked' | 'renamed'
 }
 
+interface GitRemoteStatus {
+  branch: string
+  ahead: number
+  behind: number
+  hasRemote: boolean
+}
+
 interface PulseCommit {
   hash: string
   shortHash: string
@@ -372,12 +379,18 @@ interface PulseCommit {
 - `pullAndPush()`: pulls then auto-pushes for divergence recovery
 - `ConflictNoteBanner`: inline banner in editor for conflicted notes (Keep mine / Keep theirs)
 
+`useGitRemoteStatus` is the commit-time companion to `useAutoSync`:
+- Re-checks `git_remote_status` when the Commit dialog opens and right before submit
+- Converts `hasRemote: false` into a local-only commit path
+- Keeps the normal push path unchanged for vaults that do have a remote
+
 ### Frontend Integration
 
 - **Modified file badges**: Orange dots in sidebar
 - **Diff view**: Toggle in breadcrumb bar → shows unified diff
 - **Git history**: Shown in Inspector panel for active note
 - **Commit dialog**: Triggered from sidebar or Cmd+K
+- **No remote indicator**: Neutral chip in the bottom bar when `GitRemoteStatus.hasRemote === false`
 - **Pulse view**: Activity feed when Pulse filter is selected
 - **Pull command**: Cmd+K → "Pull from Remote", also in Vault menu
 - **Git status popup**: Click sync badge → shows branch, ahead/behind, Pull button

docs/ARCHITECTURE.md

@@ -522,8 +522,13 @@ flowchart TD
     PC -->|Fast-forward| RV["reload vault"]
     PC -->|Up to date| DONE["idle"]
 
-    MAN["Manual commit\n(CommitDialog)"] --> GC["invoke('git_commit', message)"]
-    GC --> GP["invoke('git_push')"]
+    MAN["Manual commit\n(CommitDialog)"] --> RS["useGitRemoteStatus\n(commit-time check)"]
+    RS --> RCHK["invoke('git_remote_status')"]
+    RCHK --> RMODE{Remote configured?}
+    RMODE -->|No| GC["invoke('git_commit', message)"]
+    GC --> LOCAL["Local commit only\nNo remote chip + local toast"]
+    RMODE -->|Yes| GC2["invoke('git_commit', message)"]
+    GC2 --> GP["invoke('git_push')"]
     GP --> PR{Push result?}
     PR -->|ok| RM["Reload modified files"]
     PR -->|rejected| DIV["syncStatus = pull_required"]
@@ -536,6 +541,8 @@ flowchart TD
     STATUS["Click sync badge"] --> POPUP["GitStatusPopup\n(branch, ahead/behind)"]
 ```
 
+`useGitRemoteStatus` re-checks `git_remote_status` when the commit dialog opens and again right before submit. If `hasRemote` is false, Tolaria keeps the flow local-only: the status bar shows a neutral `No remote` chip, the dialog copy switches from "Commit & Push" to "Commit", and no `git_push` call is attempted.
+
 #### Sync States
 
 | State | Indicator | Color | Trigger |
@@ -696,6 +703,7 @@ No Redux or global context. State lives in the root `App.tsx` and custom hooks:
 | `useTheme` | Editor theme CSS vars | Editor typography theme |
 | `useAiAgent` | `messages`, `status`, tool actions | AI agent conversation |
 | `useAutoSync` | Sync interval, pull/push state | Git auto-sync |
+| `useGitRemoteStatus` | `remoteStatus`, `refreshRemoteStatus()` | On-demand remote detection for commit UI |
 | `useUnifiedSearch` | Query, results, loading state | Keyword search |
 | `useSettings` | App settings (telemetry, release channel, auto-sync interval) | Persistent settings |
 | `useVaultConfig` | Per-vault UI preferences | Vault-specific config |

src/App.tsx

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import { useVaultLoader } from './hooks/useVaultLoader'
 import { useSettings } from './hooks/useSettings'
 import { useNoteActions } from './hooks/useNoteActions'
 import { useCommitFlow } from './hooks/useCommitFlow'
+import { useGitRemoteStatus } from './hooks/useGitRemoteStatus'
 import { useViewMode } from './hooks/useViewMode'
 import { useEntryActions } from './hooks/useEntryActions'
 import { useAppCommands } from './hooks/useAppCommands'
@@ -185,6 +186,7 @@ function App() {
     },
     onToast: (msg) => setToastMessage(msg),
   })
+  const gitRemoteStatus = useGitRemoteStatus(resolvedPath)
 
   // Detect external file renames on window focus
   const [detectedRenames, setDetectedRenames] = useState<DetectedRename[]>([])
@@ -418,7 +420,14 @@ function App() {
     }
   }, [vault, notes, setToastMessage])
 
-  const commitFlow = useCommitFlow({ savePending: appSave.savePending, loadModifiedFiles: vault.loadModifiedFiles, commitAndPush: vault.commitAndPush, setToastMessage, onPushRejected: autoSync.handlePushRejected })
+  const commitFlow = useCommitFlow({
+    savePending: appSave.savePending,
+    loadModifiedFiles: vault.loadModifiedFiles,
+    resolveRemoteStatus: gitRemoteStatus.refreshRemoteStatus,
+    setToastMessage,
+    onPushRejected: autoSync.handlePushRejected,
+    vaultPath: resolvedPath,
+  })
   const suggestedCommitMessage = useMemo(() => generateCommitMessage(vault.modifiedFiles), [vault.modifiedFiles])
 
   const entryActions = useEntryActions({
@@ -752,7 +761,14 @@ function App() {
       <SearchPanel open={dialogs.showSearch} vaultPath={resolvedPath} entries={vault.entries} onSelectNote={notes.handleSelectNote} onClose={dialogs.closeSearch} />
       <CreateTypeDialog open={dialogs.showCreateTypeDialog} onClose={dialogs.closeCreateType} onCreate={handleCreateType} />
       <CreateViewDialog open={dialogs.showCreateViewDialog} onClose={dialogs.closeCreateView} onCreate={handleCreateOrUpdateView} availableFields={availableFields} editingView={dialogs.editingView?.definition ?? null} />
-      <CommitDialog open={commitFlow.showCommitDialog} modifiedCount={vault.modifiedFiles.length} suggestedMessage={suggestedCommitMessage} onCommit={commitFlow.handleCommitPush} onClose={commitFlow.closeCommitDialog} />
+      <CommitDialog
+        open={commitFlow.showCommitDialog}
+        modifiedCount={vault.modifiedFiles.length}
+        commitMode={commitFlow.commitMode}
+        suggestedMessage={suggestedCommitMessage}
+        onCommit={commitFlow.handleCommitPush}
+        onClose={commitFlow.closeCommitDialog}
+      />
       <ConflictResolverModal
         open={dialogs.showConflictResolver}
         fileStates={conflictResolver.fileStates}

src/components/CommitDialog.test.tsx

@@ -10,9 +10,8 @@ describe('CommitDialog', () => {
     vi.clearAllMocks()
   })
 
-  function getCommitButton() {
-    // "Commit & Push" appears in both dialog title and button — use role to disambiguate
-    return screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Commit & Push' })
+  function getActionButton(name = 'Commit & Push') {
+    return screen.getByRole('button', { name })
   }
 
   it('shows file count badge', () => {
@@ -27,21 +26,21 @@ describe('CommitDialog', () => {
 
   it('disables Commit button when message is empty', () => {
     render(<CommitDialog open={true} modifiedCount={3} onCommit={onCommit} onClose={onClose} />)
-    expect(getCommitButton()).toBeDisabled()
+    expect(getActionButton()).toBeDisabled()
   })
 
   it('enables Commit button when message is typed', () => {
     render(<CommitDialog open={true} modifiedCount={3} onCommit={onCommit} onClose={onClose} />)
     const textarea = screen.getByPlaceholderText('Commit message...')
     fireEvent.change(textarea, { target: { value: 'fix: bug fix' } })
-    expect(getCommitButton()).not.toBeDisabled()
+    expect(getActionButton()).not.toBeDisabled()
   })
 
   it('calls onCommit with trimmed message on button click', () => {
     render(<CommitDialog open={true} modifiedCount={3} onCommit={onCommit} onClose={onClose} />)
     const textarea = screen.getByPlaceholderText('Commit message...')
     fireEvent.change(textarea, { target: { value: '  fix: bug fix  ' } })
-    fireEvent.click(getCommitButton())
+    fireEvent.click(getActionButton())
     expect(onCommit).toHaveBeenCalledWith('fix: bug fix')
   })
 
@@ -70,7 +69,7 @@ describe('CommitDialog', () => {
     render(<CommitDialog open={true} modifiedCount={3} onCommit={onCommit} onClose={onClose} />)
     const textarea = screen.getByPlaceholderText('Commit message...')
     fireEvent.change(textarea, { target: { value: '   ' } })
-    fireEvent.click(getCommitButton())
+    fireEvent.click(getActionButton())
     expect(onCommit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
@@ -87,7 +86,7 @@ describe('CommitDialog', () => {
 
   it('enables Commit button when suggestedMessage is provided', () => {
     render(<CommitDialog open={true} modifiedCount={3} suggestedMessage="Update alpha" onCommit={onCommit} onClose={onClose} />)
-    expect(getCommitButton()).not.toBeDisabled()
+    expect(getActionButton()).not.toBeDisabled()
   })
 
   it('submits suggestedMessage on Cmd+Enter without user edits', () => {
@@ -101,7 +100,16 @@ describe('CommitDialog', () => {
     render(<CommitDialog open={true} modifiedCount={3} suggestedMessage="Update alpha" onCommit={onCommit} onClose={onClose} />)
     const textarea = screen.getByPlaceholderText('Commit message...')
     fireEvent.change(textarea, { target: { value: 'fix: corrected typo in alpha' } })
-    fireEvent.click(getCommitButton())
+    fireEvent.click(getActionButton())
     expect(onCommit).toHaveBeenCalledWith('fix: corrected typo in alpha')
   })
+
+  it('switches to local-only copy when commitMode is local', () => {
+    render(<CommitDialog open={true} modifiedCount={2} commitMode="local" onCommit={onCommit} onClose={onClose} />)
+
+    expect(screen.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Commit' })).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByText('This vault has no git remote configured. Tolaria will create a local commit only.')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByText('Cmd+Enter to commit locally')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(getActionButton('Commit')).toBeDisabled()
+  })
 })

src/components/CommitDialog.tsx

@@ -2,18 +2,66 @@ import { useState, useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
 import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogDescription, DialogHeader, DialogTitle, DialogFooter } from '@/components/ui/dialog'
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import { Badge } from '@/components/ui/badge'
+import { Textarea } from '@/components/ui/textarea'
+import type { CommitMode } from '../hooks/useCommitFlow'
+
+type CommitDialogCopy = {
+  title: string
+  description: string
+  actionLabel: string
+  shortcutHint: string
+}
+
+function getDialogCopy(commitMode: CommitMode): CommitDialogCopy {
+  if (commitMode === 'local') {
+    return {
+      title: 'Commit',
+      description: 'This vault has no git remote configured. Tolaria will create a local commit only.',
+      actionLabel: 'Commit',
+      shortcutHint: 'Cmd+Enter to commit locally',
+    }
+  }
+
+  return {
+    title: 'Commit & Push',
+    description: 'Review changed files and enter a commit message before committing and pushing.',
+    actionLabel: 'Commit & Push',
+    shortcutHint: 'Cmd+Enter to commit',
+  }
+}
+
+function changedFilesLabel(modifiedCount: number): string {
+  return `${modifiedCount} file${modifiedCount !== 1 ? 's' : ''} changed`
+}
+
+function isSubmitShortcut(event: React.KeyboardEvent): boolean {
+  return event.key === 'Enter' && (event.metaKey || event.ctrlKey)
+}
+
+function isCloseShortcut(event: React.KeyboardEvent): boolean {
+  return event.key === 'Escape'
+}
 
 interface CommitDialogProps {
   open: boolean
   modifiedCount: number
+  commitMode?: CommitMode
   suggestedMessage?: string
   onCommit: (message: string) => void
   onClose: () => void
 }
 
-export function CommitDialog({ open, modifiedCount, suggestedMessage, onCommit, onClose }: CommitDialogProps) {
+export function CommitDialog({
+  open,
+  modifiedCount,
+  commitMode = 'push',
+  suggestedMessage,
+  onCommit,
+  onClose,
+}: CommitDialogProps) {
   const [message, setMessage] = useState('')
   const inputRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null)
+  const copy = getDialogCopy(commitMode)
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (open) {
@@ -29,10 +77,10 @@ export function CommitDialog({ open, modifiedCount, suggestedMessage, onCommit,
   }
 
   const handleKeyDown = (e: React.KeyboardEvent) => {
-    if (e.key === 'Enter' && (e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey)) {
+    if (isSubmitShortcut(e)) {
       e.preventDefault()
       handleSubmit()
-    } else if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+    } else if (isCloseShortcut(e)) {
       onClose()
     }
   }
@@ -42,18 +90,16 @@ export function CommitDialog({ open, modifiedCount, suggestedMessage, onCommit,
       <DialogContent showCloseButton={false} className="sm:max-w-[420px]">
         <DialogHeader>
           <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
-            <DialogTitle>Commit & Push</DialogTitle>
+            <DialogTitle>{copy.title}</DialogTitle>
             <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-xs">
-              {modifiedCount} file{modifiedCount !== 1 ? 's' : ''} changed
+              {changedFilesLabel(modifiedCount)}
             </Badge>
           </div>
-          <DialogDescription className="sr-only">
-            Review changed files and enter a commit message before committing and pushing.
-          </DialogDescription>
+          <DialogDescription>{copy.description}</DialogDescription>
         </DialogHeader>
-        <textarea
+        <Textarea
           ref={inputRef}
-          className="w-full resize-y rounded-lg border border-input bg-[var(--bg-input)] px-3 py-2.5 text-[13px] text-foreground placeholder:text-muted-foreground outline-none transition-colors focus:border-ring"
+          className="min-h-[84px] resize-y bg-[var(--bg-input)] py-2.5 text-[13px]"
           placeholder="Commit message..."
           value={message}
           onChange={(e) => setMessage(e.target.value)}
@@ -61,13 +107,13 @@ export function CommitDialog({ open, modifiedCount, suggestedMessage, onCommit,
           rows={3}
         />
         <DialogFooter className="flex-row items-center justify-between sm:justify-between">
-          <span className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">Cmd+Enter to commit</span>
+          <span className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">{copy.shortcutHint}</span>
           <div className="flex gap-2">
             <Button variant="outline" onClick={onClose}>
               Cancel
             </Button>
             <Button onClick={handleSubmit} disabled={!message.trim()}>
-              Commit & Push
+              {copy.actionLabel}
             </Button>
           </div>
         </DialogFooter>

src/components/StatusBar.test.tsx

@@ -339,6 +339,19 @@ describe('StatusBar', () => {
     expect(screen.getByTestId('status-offline')).toHaveTextContent('Offline')
   })
 
+  it('shows a no-remote chip when the active git vault has no remote', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar
+        noteCount={100}
+        vaultPath="/Users/luca/Laputa"
+        vaults={vaults}
+        onSwitchVault={vi.fn()}
+        remoteStatus={{ branch: 'main', ahead: 0, behind: 0, hasRemote: false }}
+      />
+    )
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('status-no-remote')).toHaveTextContent('No remote')
+  })
+
   it('calls onPullAndPush when clicking Pull required badge', () => {
     const onPullAndPush = vi.fn()
     render(
@@ -394,6 +407,21 @@ describe('StatusBar', () => {
     expect(onCommitPush).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
   })
 
+  it('uses a local-only tooltip for the commit button when no remote is configured', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar
+        noteCount={100}
+        modifiedCount={5}
+        vaultPath="/Users/luca/Laputa"
+        vaults={vaults}
+        onSwitchVault={vi.fn()}
+        onCommitPush={vi.fn()}
+        remoteStatus={{ branch: 'main', ahead: 0, behind: 0, hasRemote: false }}
+      />
+    )
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('status-commit-push')).toHaveAttribute('title', 'Commit locally (no remote configured)')
+  })
+
   it('shows Commit button even when no modified files', () => {
     render(<StatusBar noteCount={100} modifiedCount={0} vaultPath="/Users/luca/Laputa" vaults={vaults} onSwitchVault={vi.fn()} onCommitPush={vi.fn()} />)
     expect(screen.getByTestId('status-commit-push')).toBeInTheDocument()

src/components/status-bar/StatusBarBadges.tsx

@@ -122,6 +122,16 @@ function hasRemote(remoteStatus: GitRemoteStatus | null): boolean {
   return remoteStatus?.hasRemote ?? false
 }
 
+function isRemoteMissing(remoteStatus: GitRemoteStatus | null | undefined): boolean {
+  return remoteStatus?.hasRemote === false
+}
+
+function commitButtonTitle(remoteStatus: GitRemoteStatus | null | undefined): string {
+  return isRemoteMissing(remoteStatus)
+    ? 'Commit locally (no remote configured)'
+    : 'Commit & Push'
+}
+
 function getMcpBadgeConfig(status: McpStatus, onInstall?: () => void) {
   if (status === 'installed' || status === 'checking') return null
   const clickable = status === 'not_installed' && Boolean(onInstall)
@@ -331,6 +341,31 @@ export function OfflineBadge({ isOffline }: { isOffline?: boolean }) {
   )
 }
 
+export function NoRemoteBadge({ remoteStatus }: { remoteStatus?: GitRemoteStatus | null }) {
+  if (!isRemoteMissing(remoteStatus)) return null
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <span style={SEP_STYLE}>|</span>
+      <span
+        style={{
+          ...ICON_STYLE,
+          color: 'var(--muted-foreground)',
+          background: 'var(--hover)',
+          borderRadius: 999,
+          padding: '2px 6px',
+          fontWeight: 600,
+        }}
+        title="This git vault has no remote configured. Commits stay local until you add one."
+        data-testid="status-no-remote"
+      >
+        <GitBranch size={12} />
+        No remote
+      </span>
+    </>
+  )
+}
+
 export function SyncBadge({
   status,
   lastSyncTime,
@@ -459,7 +494,13 @@ export function ChangesBadge({ count, onClick }: { count: number; onClick?: () =
   )
 }
 
-export function CommitButton({ onClick }: { onClick?: () => void }) {
+export function CommitButton({
+  onClick,
+  remoteStatus,
+}: {
+  onClick?: () => void
+  remoteStatus?: GitRemoteStatus | null
+}) {
   if (!onClick) return null
 
   return (
@@ -469,7 +510,7 @@ export function CommitButton({ onClick }: { onClick?: () => void }) {
         role="button"
         onClick={onClick}
         style={{ ...ICON_STYLE, cursor: 'pointer', padding: '2px 4px', borderRadius: 3, background: 'transparent' }}
-        title="Commit & Push"
+        title={commitButtonTitle(remoteStatus)}
         onMouseEnter={(event) => { event.currentTarget.style.background = 'var(--hover)' }}
         onMouseLeave={(event) => { event.currentTarget.style.background = 'transparent' }}
         data-testid="status-commit-push"

src/components/status-bar/StatusBarSections.tsx

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {
   ConflictBadge,
   ChangesBadge,
   McpBadge,
+  NoRemoteBadge,
   OfflineBadge,
   PulseBadge,
   SyncBadge,
@@ -111,8 +112,9 @@ export function StatusBarPrimarySection({
         {buildNumber ?? 'b?'}
       </span>
       <OfflineBadge isOffline={isOffline} />
+      <NoRemoteBadge remoteStatus={remoteStatus} />
       <ChangesBadge count={modifiedCount} onClick={onClickPending} />
-      <CommitButton onClick={onCommitPush} />
+      <CommitButton onClick={onCommitPush} remoteStatus={remoteStatus} />
       <SyncBadge
         status={syncStatus}
         lastSyncTime={lastSyncTime}

src/components/ui/textarea.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import * as React from "react"
+
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+
+const Textarea = React.forwardRef<HTMLTextAreaElement, React.ComponentProps<"textarea">>(
+  ({ className, ...props }, ref) => (
+    <textarea
+      ref={ref}
+      data-slot="textarea"
+      className={cn(
+        "border-input placeholder:text-muted-foreground selection:bg-primary selection:text-primary-foreground flex min-h-20 w-full rounded-md border bg-transparent px-3 py-2 text-base shadow-xs transition-[color,box-shadow] outline-none disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50 md:text-sm",
+        "focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-ring/50 focus-visible:ring-[3px]",
+        "aria-invalid:ring-destructive/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive",
+        className
+      )}
+      {...props}
+    />
+  ),
+)
+Textarea.displayName = "Textarea"
+
+export { Textarea }

src/hooks/useCommitFlow.test.ts

@@ -2,28 +2,58 @@ import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
 import { renderHook, act } from '@testing-library/react'
 import { useCommitFlow } from './useCommitFlow'
 
+const mockInvokeFn = vi.fn()
+const mockTrackEvent = vi.fn()
+
+vi.mock('@tauri-apps/api/core', () => ({
+  invoke: (command: string, args: Record<string, unknown>) => mockInvokeFn(command, args),
+}))
+
+vi.mock('../mock-tauri', () => ({
+  isTauri: () => false,
+  mockInvoke: (command: string, args: Record<string, unknown>) => mockInvokeFn(command, args),
+}))
+
+vi.mock('../lib/telemetry', () => ({
+  trackEvent: (event: string, properties?: Record<string, unknown>) => mockTrackEvent(event, properties),
+}))
+
 describe('useCommitFlow', () => {
   let savePending: vi.Mock
   let loadModifiedFiles: vi.Mock
-  let commitAndPush: vi.Mock
+  let resolveRemoteStatus: vi.Mock
   let setToastMessage: vi.Mock
   let onPushRejected: vi.Mock
 
   beforeEach(() => {
     savePending = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined)
     loadModifiedFiles = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined)
-    commitAndPush = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ status: 'ok', message: 'Pushed to remote' })
+    resolveRemoteStatus = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ branch: 'main', ahead: 0, behind: 0, hasRemote: true })
     setToastMessage = vi.fn()
     onPushRejected = vi.fn()
+    mockTrackEvent.mockReset()
+    mockInvokeFn.mockReset()
+    mockInvokeFn.mockImplementation((command: string) => {
+      if (command === 'git_commit') return Promise.resolve('[main abc1234] test commit')
+      if (command === 'git_push') return Promise.resolve({ status: 'ok', message: 'Pushed to remote' })
+      throw new Error(`Unexpected command: ${command}`)
+    })
   })
 
   function renderCommitFlow() {
-    return renderHook(() => useCommitFlow({ savePending, loadModifiedFiles, commitAndPush, setToastMessage, onPushRejected }))
+    return renderHook(() => useCommitFlow({
+      savePending,
+      loadModifiedFiles,
+      resolveRemoteStatus,
+      setToastMessage,
+      onPushRejected,
+      vaultPath: '/vault',
+    }))
   }
 
-  it('openCommitDialog saves pending, refreshes files, then opens dialog', async () => {
+  it('openCommitDialog saves pending, refreshes files, and sets local mode when no remote exists', async () => {
+    resolveRemoteStatus.mockResolvedValueOnce({ branch: 'main', ahead: 0, behind: 0, hasRemote: false })
     const { result } = renderCommitFlow()
-    expect(result.current.showCommitDialog).toBe(false)
 
     await act(async () => {
       await result.current.openCommitDialog()
@@ -31,10 +61,12 @@ describe('useCommitFlow', () => {
 
     expect(savePending).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
     expect(loadModifiedFiles).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(resolveRemoteStatus).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
     expect(result.current.showCommitDialog).toBe(true)
+    expect(result.current.commitMode).toBe('local')
   })
 
-  it('handleCommitPush saves pending, commits, shows toast, and refreshes files', async () => {
+  it('handleCommitPush commits and pushes when a remote is configured', async () => {
     const { result } = renderCommitFlow()
 
     await act(async () => {
@@ -42,14 +74,39 @@ describe('useCommitFlow', () => {
     })
 
     expect(savePending).toHaveBeenCalled()
-    expect(commitAndPush).toHaveBeenCalledWith('test message')
+    expect(mockInvokeFn).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(1, 'git_commit', { vaultPath: '/vault', message: 'test message' })
+    expect(mockInvokeFn).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(2, 'git_push', { vaultPath: '/vault' })
     expect(setToastMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Committed and pushed')
     expect(loadModifiedFiles).toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(resolveRemoteStatus).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    expect(mockTrackEvent).toHaveBeenCalledWith('commit_made', undefined)
     expect(result.current.showCommitDialog).toBe(false)
   })
 
+  it('handleCommitPush commits locally and skips push when no remote is configured', async () => {
+    resolveRemoteStatus.mockResolvedValue({ branch: 'main', ahead: 0, behind: 0, hasRemote: false })
+    mockInvokeFn.mockImplementation((command: string) => {
+      if (command === 'git_commit') return Promise.resolve('[main abc1234] test message')
+      throw new Error(`Unexpected command: ${command}`)
+    })
+    const { result } = renderCommitFlow()
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      await result.current.handleCommitPush('test message')
+    })
+
+    expect(mockInvokeFn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(mockInvokeFn).toHaveBeenCalledWith('git_commit', { vaultPath: '/vault', message: 'test message' })
+    expect(setToastMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Committed locally (no remote configured)')
+    expect(onPushRejected).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
   it('handleCommitPush calls onPushRejected when push is rejected', async () => {
-    commitAndPush.mockResolvedValueOnce({ status: 'rejected', message: 'Push rejected' })
+    mockInvokeFn.mockImplementation((command: string) => {
+      if (command === 'git_commit') return Promise.resolve('[main abc1234] test message')
+      if (command === 'git_push') return Promise.resolve({ status: 'rejected', message: 'Push rejected' })
+      throw new Error(`Unexpected command: ${command}`)
+    })
     const { result } = renderCommitFlow()
 
     await act(async () => {
@@ -61,7 +118,7 @@ describe('useCommitFlow', () => {
   })
 
   it('handleCommitPush shows error toast on failure', async () => {
-    commitAndPush.mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('push failed'))
+    mockInvokeFn.mockImplementation(() => Promise.reject(new Error('push failed')))
     const consoleSpy = vi.spyOn(console, 'error').mockImplementation(() => {})
     const { result } = renderCommitFlow()
 
@@ -69,7 +126,7 @@ describe('useCommitFlow', () => {
       await result.current.handleCommitPush('test')
     })
 
-    expect(setToastMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.stringContaining('Commit failed'))
+    expect(setToastMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Commit failed: push failed')
     consoleSpy.mockRestore()
   })
 

src/hooks/useCommitFlow.ts

@@ -1,47 +1,115 @@
 import { useCallback, useState } from 'react'
-import type { GitPushResult } from '../types'
+import { invoke } from '@tauri-apps/api/core'
+import type { GitPushResult, GitRemoteStatus } from '../types'
 import { trackEvent } from '../lib/telemetry'
+import { isTauri, mockInvoke } from '../mock-tauri'
+
+export type CommitMode = 'push' | 'local'
+
+interface LocalCommitResult {
+  status: 'local_only'
+  message: string
+}
+
+type CommitResult = GitPushResult | LocalCommitResult
 
 interface CommitFlowConfig {
   savePending: () => Promise<void | boolean>
   loadModifiedFiles: () => Promise<void>
-  commitAndPush: (message: string) => Promise<GitPushResult>
+  resolveRemoteStatus: () => Promise<GitRemoteStatus | null>
   setToastMessage: (msg: string | null) => void
   onPushRejected?: () => void
+  vaultPath: string
 }
 
-/** Manages the Commit & Push dialog state and the save→commit→push flow. */
-export function useCommitFlow({ savePending, loadModifiedFiles, commitAndPush, setToastMessage, onPushRejected }: CommitFlowConfig) {
+function commitModeFromRemoteStatus(remoteStatus: GitRemoteStatus | null): CommitMode {
+  return remoteStatus?.hasRemote === false ? 'local' : 'push'
+}
+
+async function commitLocally(vaultPath: string, message: string): Promise<void> {
+  if (!isTauri()) {
+    await mockInvoke<string>('git_commit', { vaultPath, message })
+    return
+  }
+
+  await invoke<string>('git_commit', { vaultPath, message })
+}
+
+async function pushCommittedChanges(vaultPath: string): Promise<GitPushResult> {
+  if (!isTauri()) {
+    return mockInvoke<GitPushResult>('git_push', { vaultPath })
+  }
+
+  return invoke<GitPushResult>('git_push', { vaultPath })
+}
+
+async function executeCommitAction(vaultPath: string, message: string, commitMode: CommitMode): Promise<CommitResult> {
+  await commitLocally(vaultPath, message)
+  if (commitMode === 'local') {
+    return { status: 'local_only', message: 'Committed locally (no remote configured)' }
+  }
+
+  return pushCommittedChanges(vaultPath)
+}
+
+function commitToastMessage(result: CommitResult): string {
+  if (result.status === 'ok') return 'Committed and pushed'
+  if (result.status === 'local_only') return result.message
+  if (result.status === 'rejected') return 'Committed, but push rejected — remote has new commits. Pull first.'
+  return result.message
+}
+
+function isPushRejected(result: CommitResult): boolean {
+  return result.status === 'rejected'
+}
+
+function formatCommitError(error: unknown): string {
+  return error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error)
+}
+
+/** Manages the commit dialog state and the save→commit→push/local flow. */
+export function useCommitFlow({
+  savePending,
+  loadModifiedFiles,
+  resolveRemoteStatus,
+  setToastMessage,
+  onPushRejected,
+  vaultPath,
+}: CommitFlowConfig) {
   const [showCommitDialog, setShowCommitDialog] = useState(false)
+  const [commitMode, setCommitMode] = useState<CommitMode>('push')
 
   const openCommitDialog = useCallback(async () => {
     await savePending()
     await loadModifiedFiles()
+    const remoteStatus = await resolveRemoteStatus()
+    setCommitMode(commitModeFromRemoteStatus(remoteStatus))
     setShowCommitDialog(true)
-  }, [savePending, loadModifiedFiles])
+  }, [loadModifiedFiles, resolveRemoteStatus, savePending])
 
   const handleCommitPush = useCallback(async (message: string) => {
     setShowCommitDialog(false)
     try {
       await savePending()
-      const result = await commitAndPush(message)
-      if (result.status === 'ok') {
-        trackEvent('commit_made')
-        setToastMessage('Committed and pushed')
-      } else if (result.status === 'rejected') {
-        setToastMessage('Committed, but push rejected — remote has new commits. Pull first.')
+      const remoteStatus = await resolveRemoteStatus()
+      const nextCommitMode = commitModeFromRemoteStatus(remoteStatus)
+      const result = await executeCommitAction(vaultPath, message, nextCommitMode)
+
+      trackEvent('commit_made')
+      setToastMessage(commitToastMessage(result))
+      if (isPushRejected(result)) {
         onPushRejected?.()
-      } else {
-        setToastMessage(result.message)
       }
-      loadModifiedFiles()
+
+      await loadModifiedFiles()
+      await resolveRemoteStatus()
     } catch (err) {
       console.error('Commit failed:', err)
-      setToastMessage(`Commit failed: ${err}`)
+      setToastMessage(`Commit failed: ${formatCommitError(err)}`)
     }
-  }, [savePending, commitAndPush, loadModifiedFiles, setToastMessage, onPushRejected])
+  }, [loadModifiedFiles, onPushRejected, resolveRemoteStatus, savePending, setToastMessage, vaultPath])
 
   const closeCommitDialog = useCallback(() => setShowCommitDialog(false), [])
 
-  return { showCommitDialog, openCommitDialog, handleCommitPush, closeCommitDialog }
+  return { showCommitDialog, commitMode, openCommitDialog, handleCommitPush, closeCommitDialog }
 }

src/hooks/useGitRemoteStatus.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import { renderHook, waitFor, act } from '@testing-library/react'
+import { describe, expect, it, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
+import { useGitRemoteStatus } from './useGitRemoteStatus'
+
+const mockInvokeFn = vi.fn()
+
+vi.mock('@tauri-apps/api/core', () => ({
+  invoke: (command: string, args: Record<string, unknown>) => mockInvokeFn(command, args),
+}))
+
+vi.mock('../mock-tauri', () => ({
+  isTauri: () => false,
+  mockInvoke: (command: string, args: Record<string, unknown>) => mockInvokeFn(command, args),
+}))
+
+describe('useGitRemoteStatus', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks()
+  })
+
+  it('loads remote status on mount', async () => {
+    mockInvokeFn.mockResolvedValue({ branch: 'main', ahead: 0, behind: 0, hasRemote: false })
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useGitRemoteStatus('/vault'))
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(result.current.remoteStatus).toEqual({ branch: 'main', ahead: 0, behind: 0, hasRemote: false })
+    })
+    expect(mockInvokeFn).toHaveBeenCalledWith('git_remote_status', { vaultPath: '/vault' })
+  })
+
+  it('refreshRemoteStatus updates the current remote state', async () => {
+    mockInvokeFn
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce({ branch: 'main', ahead: 0, behind: 0, hasRemote: true })
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce({ branch: 'main', ahead: 1, behind: 0, hasRemote: false })
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useGitRemoteStatus('/vault'))
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(result.current.remoteStatus?.hasRemote).toBe(true)
+    })
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      await result.current.refreshRemoteStatus()
+    })
+
+    expect(result.current.remoteStatus).toEqual({ branch: 'main', ahead: 1, behind: 0, hasRemote: false })
+  })
+})

src/hooks/useGitRemoteStatus.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from 'react'
+import { invoke } from '@tauri-apps/api/core'
+import { isTauri, mockInvoke } from '../mock-tauri'
+import type { GitRemoteStatus } from '../types'
+
+function tauriCall<T>(command: string, args: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<T> {
+  return isTauri() ? invoke<T>(command, args) : mockInvoke<T>(command, args)
+}
+
+export interface GitRemoteState {
+  remoteStatus: GitRemoteStatus | null
+  refreshRemoteStatus: () => Promise<GitRemoteStatus | null>
+}
+
+async function readRemoteStatus(vaultPath: string): Promise<GitRemoteStatus> {
+  return tauriCall<GitRemoteStatus>('git_remote_status', { vaultPath })
+}
+
+export function useGitRemoteStatus(vaultPath: string): GitRemoteState {
+  const [remoteStatus, setRemoteStatus] = useState<GitRemoteStatus | null>(null)
+
+  const refreshRemoteStatus = useCallback(async () => {
+    try {
+      const status = await readRemoteStatus(vaultPath)
+      setRemoteStatus(status)
+      return status
+    } catch {
+      setRemoteStatus(null)
+      return null
+    }
+  }, [vaultPath])
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    let cancelled = false
+
+    async function loadRemoteStatus() {
+      try {
+        const status = await readRemoteStatus(vaultPath)
+        if (!cancelled) setRemoteStatus(status)
+      } catch {
+        if (!cancelled) setRemoteStatus(null)
+      }
+    }
+
+    void loadRemoteStatus()
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true
+    }
+  }, [vaultPath])
+
+  return { remoteStatus, refreshRemoteStatus }
+}

tests/smoke/git-no-remote-commit-only.spec.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test'
+import { executeCommand, openCommandPalette } from './helpers'
+
+test('commit flow stays local when the active vault has no remote @smoke', async ({ page }) => {
+  await page.addInitScript(() => {
+    type Handler = (args?: Record<string, unknown>) => unknown
+    type BrowserWindow = Window & typeof globalThis & {
+      __gitPushCalls?: number
+      __mockHandlers?: Record<string, Handler>
+      __mockHandlersRef?: Record<string, Handler> | null
+    }
+
+    const browserWindow = window as BrowserWindow
+
+    const applyOverrides = (handlers?: Record<string, Handler> | null) => {
+      if (!handlers) return handlers ?? null
+
+      handlers.git_remote_status = () => ({ branch: 'main', ahead: 0, behind: 0, hasRemote: false })
+      handlers.git_push = () => {
+        browserWindow.__gitPushCalls = (browserWindow.__gitPushCalls ?? 0) + 1
+        return { status: 'ok', message: 'Pushed to remote' }
+      }
+
+      return handlers
+    }
+
+    browserWindow.__gitPushCalls = 0
+
+    let ref = applyOverrides(browserWindow.__mockHandlers) ?? null
+    Object.defineProperty(browserWindow, '__mockHandlers', {
+      configurable: true,
+      set(value) {
+        ref = applyOverrides(value as Record<string, Handler> | undefined) ?? null
+      },
+      get() {
+        return applyOverrides(ref) ?? ref
+      },
+    })
+  })
+
+  await page.goto('/')
+  await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle')
+
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('status-no-remote')).toContainText('No remote')
+
+  await openCommandPalette(page)
+  await executeCommand(page, 'Commit & Push')
+
+  await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Commit' })).toBeVisible()
+  await expect(page.getByText(/local commit only/i)).toBeVisible()
+
+  await page.locator('textarea[placeholder="Commit message..."]').fill('test local commit')
+  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Commit' }).click()
+
+  await expect(page.locator('.fixed.bottom-8')).toContainText('Committed locally', { timeout: 5000 })
+  await expect.poll(async () =>
+    page.evaluate(() => (window as Window & { __gitPushCalls?: number }).__gitPushCalls ?? 0),
+  ).toBe(0)
+})