Nits are fake optionality
Nits are fake optionality
A nit is often fake optionality. It still costs the author attention, and because it came from a reviewer, it carries pressure. "Optional" comments are rarely truly optional in practice.
The frame
- If it matters, ask for it clearly.
- If it does not matter, usually do not comment.
- If it keeps coming up, automate it or write a convention.
- If it is a tiny thing the author can apply in one click, use a suggestion and mark it non-blocking.
- If you leave a nit, make it genuinely disposable: "Optional, no response needed."
A nit should not be a way to smuggle taste into the PR.
Why
Review comments are not neutral. Even a small optional note interrupts the author's attention and asks them to decide whether ignoring it will be read as disagreement, laziness, or disrespect.
That cost is sometimes fine. Mostly it is noise.
Formatting, import order, and style rules should be automated. If the issue is not worth asking for directly and does not affect readability, it probably is not worth leaving as a comment.