Source: https://codereviewguide.fyi/perch-vs-graphite/ Perch vs Graphite · reviewed 2026-10-14 # Graphite alternative for checks before opening a PR stack Perch runs a saved rule before a change enters a PR stack. The requirement lives with the repository and can be checked again by the next coding agent or CI job without adding a developer seat fee. `perch check` reads working files; `perch scan` reads Git HEAD. Relevant source is sent to TypeSafe’s hosted models. The MIT CLI does not run model inference offline. [See the rule catch a regression](https://codereviewguide.fyi/perch-vs-graphite/#check)[Install the Perch CLI](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/install.md) ## Perch ~50¢ per mid-sized pull request · estimate - 10¢ per 1,000 fresh rule checks - Cached checks free - No seat fees · $5 free usage credit - MIT CLI · English project rules **Graphite**Starter: $20/user/month billed annually. Team: $40 annually. Hobby is free for personal repositories. Perch estimate: approximately 150 methods read, based on September–October 2026 check density. [Compare billing assumptions](https://codereviewguide.fyi/perch-vs-graphite/#pricing). **Run it locally**Check uncommitted files **Keep the rule**Version it with the code **Read each method**Within the selected parsed scope **Pay for checks**No per-developer subscription ## Catch the fix an agent removes later. A saved requirement makes a recurring mistake checkable. In this Perch capture from September 20, 2026, the same rule flags a missing guard and passes after the guard is restored. ### The regression ``` def refund(order, payment): payment.refund(order.total) order.status = "refunded" return order ``` 1 check, 1 broken. Refunded orders cannot be refunded again. ### The guarded method ``` def refund(order, payment): if order.status == "refunded": return order payment.refund(order.total) order.status = "refunded" return order ``` 1 check, nothing to report. Source: [public order-service checkout.py at the linked commit](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/4af67af46d76ac99398d61c7ad0a45441760d4dc/test/fixtures/order-service/checkout.py). The captured standalone file is refund.py. [Perch command output and timestamp](https://codereviewguide.fyi/perch-vs-graphite/refund-capture.json). This saved-rule demonstration does not measure Graphite's detection rate. ## Perch vs Graphite: what your team runs. Perch turns project behavior into focused checks that agents can run before committing. Use these differences to choose the review workflow and billing model your team needs. Published Perch capabilities and Graphite documentation, reviewed 2026-10-14 | Capability | Perch | Graphite | | --- | --- | --- | | Billing | 10¢ per 1,000 fresh rule checks. Cached checks free. No seat fees. | Starter: $20/user/month billed annually. Team: $40 annually. Hobby is free for personal repositories.[Vendor documentation ↗](https://www.graphite.com/pricing) | | Before commit | perch check reads the files on disk, including uncommitted edits. | gt provides a stacked-Git workflow; a standalone local AI review command was not verified.[Vendor documentation ↗](https://graphite.com/docs/cli-quick-start) | | Custom requirements | English ensure rules in perch.yaml: project, file or method scope. No paid custom-rule tier. | English review prompts and path-scoped customization.[Vendor documentation ↗](https://graphite.com/docs/ai-reviews) | | Coverage | Each parsed non-test application method in the selected scan scope is read, with caller and callee context. No method-count cap. | AI PR reviews within a broader stacking and merge workflow.[Vendor documentation ↗](https://graphite.com/docs/ai-reviews) | | Open source | MIT-licensed CLI. Hosted model analysis is a paid service. | Commercial platform and CLI terms.[Vendor documentation ↗](https://graphite.com/terms-of-service) | ## Graphite alternative for checks before opening a PR stack Keep Graphite for a stacked-PR workflow and add Perch when the requirement needs checking before the commit. Perch gives the agent a direct working-tree check and a versioned rule. Team size adds no review seat fee to Perch's usage bill. ## Review before committing Graphite: gt provides a stacked-Git workflow; a standalone local AI review command was not verified. [Graphite workflow documentation](https://graphite.com/docs/cli-quick-start). Perch reads the current working file with `perch check`. For a known requirement, select its rule name and method instead of requesting another broad review. A local CLI describes where the command runs; Perch sends relevant source to hosted TypeSafe models for analysis. ## How do saved requirements differ? Graphite: English review prompts and path-scoped customization. [Graphite rule documentation](https://graphite.com/docs/ai-review-customization). Perch stores English `ensure` rules in `perch.yaml` or `.perch/rules/`. Project, file and method scopes determine what is checked. Run the named check after an edit and after the repair; a rule finding can fail the command and a CI gate. [Perch rules](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/rules.md) · [Working-file checks](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/check.md). ## What does the review bill depend on? [Compare Graphite's billing unit and Perch's usage estimate](https://reviewpricing.fyi/graphite/) ## Is the CLI open source and offline? Graphite: Commercial platform and CLI terms. [Graphite product or license source](https://www.graphite.com/pricing). Perch’s CLI is MIT-licensed; hosted model inference is a separate paid service included in its published check rate. It does not run the model offline. Unchanged requests can reuse cached answers for free. Fresh judgments can vary, and a passing requirement check does not prove application correctness. [Perch MIT license](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/LICENSE). ## When does Graphite fit the workflow? Graphite combines AI PR review with stacked changes and merge workflows. Its Git CLI does not by itself establish that the same AI reviewer runs on uncommitted files; that standalone review command was not verified. ## Estimate the review bill [Perch and Graphite: pricing, allowances and workload calculator](https://reviewpricing.fyi/graphite/) ## Make the agent check its next edit. ### Install the CLI ``` npm install -g @lakeday/perch ``` [Perch installation and quick start](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/install.md) ### Save a behavior rule ``` perch rules add refund-once \ --where refund.py --each method \ --ensure "Refunded orders cannot be refunded again." ``` The captured rule checks the requirement shown above. [Rule syntax and selectors](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/rules.md) ### Check the working file ``` perch check refund.py::refund --rules refund-once ``` Run the check after an edit and after the fix. [Working-tree check documentation](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/check.md) Use [perch scan](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/scan.md) for repository code at Git HEAD and [changed-code CI checks](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/ci.md) for pull requests. New model judgments can vary. Repeatability comes from cached answers for unchanged requests; a pass does not prove application correctness. ## Keep your project requirements checkable. Choose Perch when you want an MIT CLI, English behavior rules and usage pricing that stays independent of team size. Give your coding agent a saved check it can run after every relevant edit. [Install Perch](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/install.md) ## Sources and price details Published by Perch. Vendor facts were reviewed on 2026-10-14; plans and allowances can change. Vendor marks belong to their owners. - [www.graphite.com/pricing](https://www.graphite.com/pricing) - [graphite.com/docs/billing-plans](https://graphite.com/docs/billing-plans) - [graphite.com/docs/ai-reviews](https://graphite.com/docs/ai-reviews) - [graphite.com/docs/ai-review-customization](https://graphite.com/docs/ai-review-customization) - [graphite.com/docs/cli-quick-start](https://graphite.com/docs/cli-quick-start) - [graphite.com/terms-of-service](https://graphite.com/terms-of-service) Perch sources and example arithmetic - [Public CLI source](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch) · [MIT license](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/LICENSE) - [English rules](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/rules.md) · [Working-tree checks](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/check.md) · [Method scope and context](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/docs/scanning.md) - [Published Perch rate and estimate assumptions](https://codereviewguide.fyi/perch-vs-graphite/pricing-evidence.json) - [September 20, 2026 refund-rule capture](https://codereviewguide.fyi/perch-vs-graphite/refund-capture.json) ## Compare Graphite with other review tools - [CodeRabbit vs Graphite](https://codereviewguide.fyi/coderabbit-vs-graphite/) [Full head-to-head library and tool selector](https://codereviewguide.fyi/tool-comparisons/) **Code Review Guide** Tools & workflows. Published by Perch · © 2026 Verglas LLC. Code Review Guide is a Perch publication. Perch’s MIT license covers the CLI; hosted model analysis is a paid service. Relevant source is sent to the configured model service. [Perch CLI MIT license](https://github.com/lakeday-org/perch/blob/main/LICENSE) · [Article text](https://codereviewguide.fyi/perch-vs-graphite/index.md) · [Resource index](https://codereviewguide.fyi/llms.txt)