diff --git a/tildewiki/compilation.py b/tildewiki/compilation.py
index 1bfe9a1..91aaf6a 100644
--- a/tildewiki/compilation.py
+++ b/tildewiki/compilation.py
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@ def compile_wiki(source_path: str, dest_path: str) -> None:
     Be absolutely sure you know what you are doing when you call this ^_^
     """
     # TODO progress bar
-    # TODO recursively delete dest_path (maybe after gzipping, backing up)
-    # TODO lockfile on dest_path
     # TODO put useful metadata in footer
 
     header_content = compile_markdown(path_join(source_path, 'src/header.md'))
@@ -35,7 +33,6 @@ def compile_wiki(source_path: str, dest_path: str) -> None:
             current_suffix = current_suffix[1:]
         preview_root = path_join(dest_path, current_suffix)
 
-
         for directory in dirs:
             os.mkdir(path_join(preview_root, directory))
 
diff --git a/tildewiki/git_wrapper.py b/tildewiki/git_wrapper.py
index f08dba5..7aeedcd 100644
--- a/tildewiki/git_wrapper.py
+++ b/tildewiki/git_wrapper.py
@@ -1,34 +1,40 @@
 import git as gitpython
 import pygit2
 
+# it's fucking weird to be using two different git libraries, i know.
+# gitpython:
+# - couldn't figure out how to check repo status
+# pygit2:
+# - had trouble with committing after a merge
+# - can't push to local repos
+#
+# i want to standardize on gitpython, but gotta figure out the repo status and
+# also do the cloning
+
 def create_repo(to_clone, local_path, author_name, author_email):
+    # TODO port to GitPython
     repo = pygit2.clone_repository(to_clone, local_path)
     repo.config['user.name'] = author_name
     repo.config['user.email'] = author_email
 
+def dirty(repo_path):
+    # TODO figure out how to do with GitPython
+    repo = pygit2.Repository(repo_path)
+    return repo.status() == {}
 
 def make_commit(repo_path, author_name, author_email):
     """Given a path to a repository, adds everything and commits it. If there
     are no unstaged changes, does nothing."""
-    # TODO do nothing if no changes
-    repo = pygit2.Repository(repo_path)
-    repo.index.add_all()
-    repo.index.write()
-    tree = repo.index.write_tree()
-    author = pygit2.Signature(author_name, author_email)
-    committer = pygit2.Signature(author_name, author_email)
-    oid = repo.create_commit(
-        'refs/head/master',
-        author,
-        committer,
-        'wiki update'.format(author_name),
-        tree,
-        [repo.head.get_object().hex])
-    repo.reset(oid, pygit2.GIT_RESET_HARD)
+    if not dirty(repo_path):
+        return
+    repo = gitpython.Repo(repo_path)
+    index = repo.index
+
+    index.add([path for (path, _), __ in index.entries.items()])
+
+    actor = gitpython.Actor(author_name, author_email)
+    index.commit('wiki update', author=actor, committer=actor)
 
-# These next two functions use GitPython because libgit2 was having issues with
-# a local repo. it sucks. honestly this is a more pleasant interface anyway so
-# i might eventually just use GitPython.
 def push_all(repo_path):
     repo = gitpython.Repo(repo_path)
     repo.remotes['origin'].push()
diff --git a/tildewiki/main.py b/tildewiki/main.py
index 796029c..390a66f 100644
--- a/tildewiki/main.py
+++ b/tildewiki/main.py
@@ -159,6 +159,8 @@ def publish(config, local_repo_path):
             raise ClickException('Could not remove some paths: {}'.format(rm_error_paths))
 
         compile_wiki(config.repo_path, config.publish_path)
+    except ClickException:
+        raise
     except Exception as e:
         error = e
     finally: