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Is anyone using Jujutsu version control (JJ) exclusively?

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As of mid-2024, exclusive use of Jujutsu (JJ) for version control is uncommon, though interest is growing, particularly among users frustrated with Git’s complexity or those who prefer a more modern, simpler approach. Here’s a breakdown of the current landscape:

1. Who Is Using JJ Exclusively?

Early Adopters & Enthusiasts

·Git-savvy users seeking alternatives: Developers frustrated with Git’s steep learning curve, performance issues with large repos, or steep onboarding costs for new team members often experiment with JJ.
·Mercurial (Hg) refugees: Those familiar with Hg’s streamlined workflow (JJ borrowed design ideas) find JJ familiar.
·CLI purists: Teams prioritizing minimalism and terminal-based workflows favor JJ’s single-binary design and cid-based storage.

Organizational Use Cases

·Smaller teams or solo projects: JJ’s simplicity reduces cognitive overhead, making it ideal for startups or prototyping.
·CI/CD pipelines: Some forward-thinking DevOps teams integrate JJ in lightweight workflows where Git’s workflows (e.g., submodules, shallow clones) add complexity.

2. Who Isn’t Using JJ Exclusively?

Barriers to Adoption

·Git’s dominance: JJ lacks native integration with platforms like GitHub/GitLab. While JJ can mirror to these platforms, workflows remain kludgey (e.g., jj git push is manual).
·Ecosystem fragmentation: Tools, IDEs, and plugins (e.g., GitLens, VS Code Git extensions) overwhelmingly target Git. JJ support is sparse.
·Security audits: Enterprises hesitate due to immature auditing tools (JJ’s operation logs or linear histories need rigorous compliance checks).
·Team inertia: Switching requires retraining, and without strong tooling support, teams default to Git.

Limited Enterprise Traction

·JJ is rarely mandated in corporate environments. Projects requiring Git submodules, CI/CD integrations, or multi-team collaboration (e.g., open-source) rely on Git.
·Git’s "good enough" problem: For most use cases (change tracking, branching, remotes), Git suffices. JJ must solve a specific pain point to justify migration.

3. Why People Consider JJ Exclusively

·Performance: JJ’s content-addressable storage (CAS) and lack of hidden metadata improve performance in repos with large binaries or history.
·Simplicity: The single command design (jj commit, jj new) and mutable local state reduce complexity.
·Workspace model: The virtual filesystem abstraction (tracking files across branches) makes WIP management cleaner than Git’s staging area.
·Deterministic output: JJ’s linear, append-only history (from pushes) is easier to audit than Git’s merge chaos.

4. Real-World Examples (As of 2024)

·Serpent OS: Uses JJ internally for distro development, citing speed and simplicity in handling large files and multiple patches.
·Personal pet projects: Some developers (e.g., on HackerNews threads) report using JJ exclusively for hobby coding, praising its ergonomics.
·Research environments: Teams in academia or data science use JJ for reproducibility when Git’s branching complexity is overkill.

5. The Verdict: Is Exclusive Use Practical?

Factor	Git	Jujutsu
Adoption	Universal	Niche
Tooling Support	Excellent	Poor
Learning Curve	Steep	Mild
Performance	Moderate (bad for large binaries)	Good
Flexibility	High	Low (linear model)

JJ is practical exclusively for:

·Solo developers or small teams prioritizing speed and simplicity.
·Projects where Git’s complexity outweighs its benefits (e.g., no multi-team collaboration).
·Users willing to forgo ecosystem tools (GitHub Actions, GitLens).

JJ is impractical exclusively for:

·Teams requiring GitHub/GitLab integrations (PRs, issues, CI).
·Projects needing complex branching (e.g., monorepos with submodules).
·Enterprises with compliance or audit requirements.

Recommendation

If you’re frustrated with Git:

·Try JJ for a small project and simulate your team’s workflow (e.g., jj new, jj close, jj git push).
·
Assess friction points:
- ·Can you train your team?
- ·Do your CI/CD tools support it?
- ·Is your repo size problematic for Git?
·If JJ solves a core pain point and your team is aligned, gradually migrate. Otherwise, stick with Git or use JJ as a supplemental tool.

Bottom line: JJ is a valid choice for exclusive use in specific contexts, but its success hinges on workflow fit rather than universal suitability.