The Evidentiary Value of a Repository#
A version control repository is not just a storage location for code; it is a ledger of evidence. It shows what decisions were made, why they were made, and how they were verified. When using AI coding assistants, maintaining this ledger becomes crucial.
If a repository is cluttered with untracked files, temp scripts, stale branches, or uncommitted changes, it becomes impossible to determine which code was generated, which was reviewed, and what has been verified.
Repository Hygiene as a Reliability Constraint#
Good repository hygiene is a pre-requisite for reliable AI-assisted development. This includes:
- Clean worktrees: Ensuring no untracked or dirty files are left in the workspace.
- Granular commits: Committing small, logical changes rather than large, generated blobs.
- Verifiable histories: Linking commits directly to requirements and test evidence.
When the repository history is clean and structured, the team can verify the integrity of the development process, ensuring that AI tools are used reliably and transparently.