The Balance Challenge

Pre-commit gates need to protect code quality without becoming a bottleneck. Finding the right balance ensures you catch issues without frustrating developers or slowing down iteration.

Gate Level Selection

INFO Level: Maximum Velocity

INFO level blocks only the most serious issues (score ≥ 4). This provides protection while allowing most commits through quickly.

WARNING Level: Balanced

WARNING level (score ≥ 6) provides a good balance, catching significant issues without being overly restrictive.

CRITICAL Level: Maximum Safety

CRITICAL level (score ≥ 8) provides maximum protection but may block more commits. Use for security-sensitive projects.

Optimizing for Speed

Use Standard Models

Use standard models (not Think Harder) for routine commits. They're faster and sufficient for most cases.

STRICT Diff Scope

Use STRICT scope to focus analysis and reduce processing time. This also ensures gates only consider new issues.

Selective Full Content

Only include full file content when necessary. Diffs alone are often sufficient and process faster.

Team Considerations

Start Conservative

Begin with INFO level and increase if needed. It's easier to tighten gates than to relax them after frustration sets in.

Gather Feedback

Ask team members about gate effectiveness. If it's blocking too much or too little, adjust accordingly.

Document Overrides

When overrides are needed, require documentation. This helps understand if gates need adjustment.

Conclusion

Balancing safety and velocity requires careful configuration and team communication. Start conservative, gather feedback, and adjust based on your team's needs.

Ready to find your balance? Install AI Diff Review and configure gates that work for your team.