ACSP Suggestion 2025.8: Make Commit Messages to the NRPM Gitlab More Informative
Suggestion
Author: Adair Thaxton
Submitted On: 30 October 2025
Description: Make commit messages to the NRPM Gitlab more informative
Value to Community:
I have been pointed to the NRPM in Gitlab as a way to track historical changes to the NRPM. However, the commit messages (https://bitbucket.org/arin-rir/number-resource-policy-manual/commits/branch/master) do not tell me what changes are actually being made, only what version is current.
If we intend for the Gitlab to be able to provide historical context, it’s currently not really easy to find that information. For example, during discussion of Draft Policy ARIN-2025-6, I went to the Gitlab to see the history of the phrase “provider assignment unit” in section 6.5.2.1. I checked the commit messages to see if I could tell when this section was added or updated, but the sections that have been changed in each commit are not listed.
Please consider the community’s ability to track changes to specific policies when committing changes to NRPM. Adding specific policies that are being reflected in commits would help too, but specifying policy changes would be very helpful.
Timeframe: Not specified
Status: Open Updated: 21 November 2025
Tracking Information
ARIN Comment
21 Nov 2025
Thank you for your suggestion, numbered 2025.8 upon confirmed receipt, asking that ARIN make the commit messages to the Number Resource Policy Manual (NRPM) in GitLab more informative. The initial implementation was completed in response to Suggestion 2018.1: Revision Management System for NRPM to provide a simple web-based method to compare versions. We understand that your request aims to improve the ability to track the history of specific sections and phrases in the NRPM by having commit messages that more clearly describe what has changed.
ARIN is investigating and assessing the options for providing this information in GitLab.
This suggestion will remain open pending a determination on the viability of this request. Thank you for participating in ARIN’s Consultation and Suggestion Process.
Regards,
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)