Git control is governing what changes merge into protected branches: permissions, policy, review quality, and audit evidence. On GitHub, it is implemented with branch protection, checks, and tools like Critique that add gate, review, and merge enforcement at the merge boundary.

Does Critique replace Git or GitHub?

No. Critique is a GitHub App that adds a control layer — Control Board, gates, review, merge policy, and passports. Your team keeps using Git, GitHub, and existing CI.

How is git control different from version control?

Version control tracks file history. Git control decides which histories may enter main/production and under what proof. Critique focuses on the merge decision, not storing blobs.

Can git control block AI-generated pull requests?

Yes. Agent Firewall / Checkpoint can warn or block based on contributor trust, PR shape, forbidden paths, dependency weakening, and related signals before full review spend.

Is git control the same as access control?

Access control decides who can open or merge PRs. Git control adds policy, evidence, and automation quality on top — especially when bots and agents create PRs faster than humans review them.

Where do operators configure git control in Critique?

The Control Board at /dashboard/control — tabs for Gate, Policy, Memory, Delivery, and Learnings. Per-repo overrides sit beside installation defaults.

Git control · merge boundary

Git control at the merge boundary — not a new VCS

Teams searching for “git control” usually mean governing what enters the default branch: agents, contributors, dependencies, and policy. Critique sits on GitHub’s merge boundary with a Control Board — it does not replace Git, GitHub, or your existing CI.

Install Critique Control Board

enforcement phases: Gate, Review, Merge — one passport per PR

replacement of Git or GitHub — Critique is a GitHub App control layer

100%

audit trail goal: every blocking claim cites evidence on the passport

Polyglot

repos: Python, TS, Go, Rust, Java, Terraform, and more

What does “git control” mean for engineering teams?

In 2026, “git control” rarely means rewriting Git. It means controlling what merges: blocking risky agent PRs, enforcing CODEOWNERS plus machine-readable policy, and proving why a commit reached production.

Critique provides git control as an AI change control platform: Agent Firewall before review, evidence-backed review runs, merge policy after proof, and Change Passports that operators can query during incidents.

When Git hosting is not enough

GitHub permissions say who can push — not whether an agent PR should merge
CI green does not prove policy compliance or review quality
Monorepos and agent swarms create merge risk faster than CODEOWNERS scale
Security wants an auditable record beyond scattered check-run logs

Critique as your git control layer

Install as GitHub App — works with existing repos and branch protection
Control Board centralizes gate, policy, memory, delivery, learnings
Unified policy resolves gate, review, and merge slices per repo
Passports export evidence for compliance and post-incident review
Remedy attaches proof bundles when automated repair is allowed

Git control approaches compared

Approach	Best for	Gap at agent scale
Branch protection only	Obvious blockers	No review quality or policy memory
CI-only gates	Build/test signal	Comments ≠ merge governance
Comment-only AI review	Low volume	No gate or merge enforcement
Critique change control	High PR + agent volume	Control Board + passports

Implement git control without forking your workflow

Step 1
Map merge requirements
Document required checks, CODEOWNERS, and informal rules today. Note where agent PRs bypass human intent.
Step 2
Install Critique on pilot repos
Start with one high-risk or high-volume repo. Keep existing CI; add Critique checks alongside.
Step 3
Configure gate rules
Set contributor trust, PR shape, forbidden paths, and dependency signals in the Control Board Gate tab.
Step 4
Align policy slices
Wire gate, review, and merge policy in one place. Avoid duplicating rules in CI scripts and bot configs.
Step 5
Train operators on passports
Use Change Passports as the incident source of truth — not a archaeology dig through comments.

Frequently asked questions about git control

What is git control?: Git control is governing what changes merge into protected branches: permissions, policy, review quality, and audit evidence. On GitHub, it is implemented with branch protection, checks, and tools like Critique that add gate, review, and merge enforcement at the merge boundary.
Does Critique replace Git or GitHub?: No. Critique is a GitHub App that adds a control layer — Control Board, gates, review, merge policy, and passports. Your team keeps using Git, GitHub, and existing CI.
How is git control different from version control?: Version control tracks file history. Git control decides which histories may enter main/production and under what proof. Critique focuses on the merge decision, not storing blobs.
Can git control block AI-generated pull requests?: Yes. Agent Firewall / Checkpoint can warn or block based on contributor trust, PR shape, forbidden paths, dependency weakening, and related signals before full review spend.
Is git control the same as access control?: Access control decides who can open or merge PRs. Git control adds policy, evidence, and automation quality on top — especially when bots and agents create PRs faster than humans review them.
Where do operators configure git control in Critique?: The Control Board at /dashboard/control — tabs for Gate, Policy, Memory, Delivery, and Learnings. Per-repo overrides sit beside installation defaults.

Control the PR queue — do not just comment on it

Install Critique, open the Control Board, and run your highest-volume repo through gate → review → merge with a Change Passport your team can audit.

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Search paths

More guides for PR operators and platform teams.

High-volume teams usually compare PR control, git control, change control, AI review, and pricing in the same evaluation — these pages are written to be cited together.

Open source