Reviewers need to verify findings offline
Run the same check locally that CI will run. No black-box comment you cannot replay with `npx @critiq/cli check`.
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Compare
Critiq vs Copilot code review for pull request checks.
Copilot code review brings fluent AI comments to GitHub pull requests. Critiq is an open source CLI with deterministic rules you can read, run locally, and gate in CI before merge.
Where Copilot code review shines
Fast, conversational feedback on the diff
Copilot meets reviewers where they already work in GitHub. It summarizes changes and suggests fixes in natural language without asking teams to install a separate analyzer first.
- Native GitHub pull request integration with comments surfaced on the diff.
- Natural-language summaries that read quickly for small, familiar changes.
- Low setup for teams already paying for Copilot across the org.
- Useful nudges on style, missing tests, and obvious issues during review.
- Part of a broader Copilot surface (IDE, chat, agents) when you want one vendor.
Side by side
AI fluency vs inspectable rules
Both can comment on pull requests. The trade-off is reproducible rule IDs and local runs vs AI-generated prose you cannot diff across CLI versions.
| Feature | Critiq | GitHub Copilot code review |
|---|---|---|
| Open source core you can audit | Yes. CLI, rules catalog, and GitHub Action are OSS. | No. Copilot code review is a hosted GitHub / Microsoft product. |
| Runs locally without sending the repo to a review API | Yes. `npx @critiq/cli check` on your machine or in CI. | No for Copilot review. Analysis runs on GitHub-hosted infrastructure. |
| Stable rule IDs and severities across runs | Yes. Findings fingerprint on catalog rule hashes. | No. Comments are model output, not tied to versioned rule fixtures. |
| Inline PR comments on the diff | Yes via the open source critiq-action GitHub Action. | Yes via Copilot code review on supported GitHub plans. |
| Reproduce a finding on your laptop before CI | Yes. Same command and rules pack locally and in CI. | Limited. You cannot replay the exact Copilot comment outside GitHub. |
| Custom org rules in git with RuleSpec tests | Yes. YAML rules in `.critiq/rules` or `@critiq/rules` catalog. | No equivalent public rule DSL. Prompting and org policy only. |
| AI-generated summaries and suggested fixes | No AI reviewer shipped. Deterministic rules only today. | Yes. Core value is fluent AI review on the diff. |
When Critiq fits
Choose Critiq when trust requires evidence, not vibes
Critiq is for teams that want review automation they can argue about on the merits: rule IDs, severities, and local reproduction before merge.
Security and compliance want inspectable policy
Rules live in git with fixtures. Auditors can read what blocked a merge instead of trusting model prose.
You want OSS exit ramps
Fork the catalog, pin rule versions, and diff behavior across releases without a single-vendor AI lock-in.
You still use Copilot in the IDE
Many teams pair IDE assistance with deterministic PR gates. Critiq does not ask you to uninstall Copilot.
From the blog
Related reading
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The trust gap in AI-assisted coding, and what inspectable feedback looks like
AI code review vs rule-based review: why developers distrust PR bots and how inspectable rules, evidence, and local checks close the gap.
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Rule-based vs AI code review: reproducible findings at merge time
Rule-based vs AI code review: stable rule IDs and local reproduction vs fluent PR summaries that shift between runs.
Read article
Go deeper
Install, docs, and related reading
Frequently asked questions
- Is Critiq a replacement for Copilot code review?
- Not if you want AI-generated summaries on every pull request inside GitHub. Critiq is a rule-based code review CLI for teams that need reproducible, inspectable checks. Many teams use both: Copilot in the IDE and Critiq as a deterministic gate in CI.
- Can Critiq and Copilot review the same pull request?
- Yes. Critiq-action can comment alongside Copilot review. Critiq findings cite stable rule IDs; Copilot comments are independent AI output.
- Does Critiq use large language models for review?
- The shipped OSS CLI does not use an LLM reviewer. Findings come from the rules engine and adapters over your source. Optional AI layers are roadmap, not marketed today.
- Which is better for regulated environments?
- Teams under audit pressure often prefer Critiq because rules, severities, and fixtures are versioned artifacts. Copilot review is harder to diff across model or policy changes.
npx @critiq/cli check --base origin/main --head HEAD
Run deterministic checks before you merge.
Install the OSS CLI, scan your diff locally, and read the rules behind every finding.