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@QuantumExplorer QuantumExplorer commented Nov 18, 2025

Issue being fixed or feature implemented

What was done?

How Has This Been Tested?

Breaking Changes

Checklist:

  • I have performed a self-review of my own code
  • I have commented my code, particularly in hard-to-understand areas
  • I have added or updated relevant unit/integration/functional/e2e tests
  • I have made corresponding changes to the documentation

For repository code-owners and collaborators only

  • I have assigned this pull request to a milestone

Summary by CodeRabbit

  • Documentation
    • Added a new Improvement Proposal detailing architectural enhancements for GroveDB query optimization. Includes protocol specifications, privacy mechanisms, verification procedures, caching strategies, security considerations, and deployment guidelines for improved query planning efficiency.

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Walkthrough

A new GroveDB improvement proposal document was added detailing hierarchical probabilistic subtree filters for private query planning. It introduces the merK_with_filters subtree type with Bloom-filter-based union-composable filters, client protocol specifications, and implementation guidance including security and deployment considerations.

Changes

Cohort / File(s) Summary
GroveDB Improvement Proposal
docs/grovedb-improvement-proposals/subtree-filters.md
New document proposing hierarchical probabilistic subtree filters for private query planning in Merk-AVL subtrees, including filter construction, client protocol (filter ladder), Bloom filter sizing, hash domain separation, new read-only endpoints, update/rotation handling, caching strategies, security considerations, and implementation notes.

Estimated code review effort

🎯 3 (Moderate) | ⏱️ ~20 minutes

This is an informational architectural proposal document without code implementation. Review effort focuses on validating technical soundness, design clarity, and completeness of the specification rather than functional correctness.

  • Verify technical accuracy of filter construction and CR-invariant maintenance
  • Confirm protocol specifications for client verification and filter ladder logic
  • Validate security and DoS mitigation strategies
  • Assess clarity of implementation guidance and backwards compatibility discussion

Poem

🐰 A filter's dream, both grand and deep,
Where subtrees dance through layers steep,
With Bloom-born blooms and proof so tight,
The queries leap to what is right!
From root to leaf, a path most clear—
The improvement hops us on from here! 🌿

Pre-merge checks and finishing touches

❌ Failed checks (1 inconclusive)
Check name Status Explanation Resolution
Title check ❓ Inconclusive The title 'improvement doc' is vague and generic, failing to clearly describe the specific improvement proposal being introduced. Consider a more descriptive title such as 'Add Hierarchical Probabilistic Subtree Filters proposal' to clearly convey the main subject of the improvement proposal.
✅ Passed checks (2 passed)
Check name Status Explanation
Description Check ✅ Passed Check skipped - CodeRabbit’s high-level summary is enabled.
Docstring Coverage ✅ Passed No functions found in the changed files to evaluate docstring coverage. Skipping docstring coverage check.
✨ Finishing touches
🧪 Generate unit tests (beta)
  • Create PR with unit tests
  • Post copyable unit tests in a comment
  • Commit unit tests in branch feat/GroveBDImprovementDocs

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Actionable comments posted: 2

🧹 Nitpick comments (3)
docs/grovedb-improvement-proposals/subtree-filters.md (3)

78-78: Reduce verbosity in filter invariant statement.

Line 78 uses "exactly the same" which is slightly wordy. Consider tightening:

- Bitwise OR must produce exactly the same filter as inserting all child elements into an empty Bloom filter with the same (`m`,`k`,`hash family`).
+ Bitwise OR must produce the same filter as inserting all child elements into an empty Bloom filter with identical (`m`,`k`,`hash family`).

This maintains clarity while reducing redundancy.


139-139: Reduce repetition of "exactly" in rotations discussion.

Line 139 repeats "exactly" within a short span. Consider rephrasing for conciseness:

- (This is exactly the hierarchical approach used by Bloofi.)
+ (This mirrors the hierarchical approach used by Bloofi.)

Or simply:

- (This is exactly the hierarchical approach used by Bloofi.)
+ (Identical to the hierarchical approach used by Bloofi.)

54-90: Terminology and filter construction sections are dense; consider expanded explanation.

Sections 4 and 5.2–5.3 introduce core concepts (cut heights, filter ladders, OR-invariance, hash commitments, double hashing) in a compressed form. For readers unfamiliar with Bloom filter hierarchies, a brief intuitive explanation or diagram reference before diving into formulas (lines 82–84, 86–87) could improve accessibility. This is particularly relevant given the document's scope as an informational proposal meant to guide implementation.

For example, before line 80, consider adding 1–2 sentences explaining why this particular parameterization is chosen (e.g., "To minimize false positives while keeping filter size manageable...").

📜 Review details

Configuration used: CodeRabbit UI

Review profile: CHILL

Plan: Pro

📥 Commits

Reviewing files that changed from the base of the PR and between 97b8779 and a80151b.

📒 Files selected for processing (1)
  • docs/grovedb-improvement-proposals/subtree-filters.md (1 hunks)
🧰 Additional context used
🪛 LanguageTool
docs/grovedb-improvement-proposals/subtree-filters.md

[style] ~78-~78: ‘exactly the same’ might be wordy. Consider a shorter alternative.
Context: ...OR BF(right(v)) Bitwise OR must produce exactly the same filter as inserting all child elements ...

(EN_WORDINESS_PREMIUM_EXACTLY_THE_SAME)


[style] ~139-~139: Consider an alternative for the overused word “exactly”.
Context: ...iant** guarantees correctness. (This is exactly the hierarchical approach used by Bloof...

(EXACTLY_PRECISELY)

⏰ Context from checks skipped due to timeout of 90000ms. You can increase the timeout in your CodeRabbit configuration to a maximum of 15 minutes (900000ms). (4)
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  • GitHub Check: Compilation errors
  • GitHub Check: Tests
  • GitHub Check: Linting
🔇 Additional comments (3)
docs/grovedb-improvement-proposals/subtree-filters.md (3)

34-51: Well‑structured motivation and prior work.

The Abstract, Motivation, and Prior Work sections clearly establish the problem (privacy in GroveDB queries), the solution (probabilistic filters), and the relevant prior art (DIP‑0016, Bloofi, BIP157/158). The rationale for adapting these techniques to index layers is compelling.


63-149: Technical specification is comprehensive and sound.

The Specification sections (5.1–5.7) cover all essential elements: subtree type definition, filter construction with the OR-invariant, hash commitments, client protocol, parameter sizing with a concrete worked example, API additions, and update/rotation handling. The choice of Bloom filters for their OR-composability, the union-invariant property, and the connection to AVL rotation correctness is technically justified. The worked example (lines 116–123) effectively demonstrates bandwidth and parameter trade-offs.


152-181: Privacy, security, and backwards compatibility are adequately addressed.

Sections 7–10 cover privacy considerations (including per-epoch salting and cover traffic), security concerns (filter integrity, DoS mitigation, false-positive bounds), backwards compatibility (opt-in per-subtree, no consensus changes), and implementation notes. These are appropriate for an informational proposal and show thoughtful risk assessment.

@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
# XX — Hierarchical Probabilistic Subtree Filters for Private Query Planning in GroveDB
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⚠️ Potential issue | 🟡 Minor

Replace placeholder "XX" with an actual proposal number.

Line 1 contains XX — which appears to be a placeholder. Assign a concrete proposal number (e.g., GIP-001 or similar) following your project's numbering convention.

🤖 Prompt for AI Agents
In docs/grovedb-improvement-proposals/subtree-filters.md around lines 1 to 1,
the title starts with the placeholder "XX —"; replace "XX" with the correct
proposal identifier following the repository convention (for example "GIP-001"
or the next available GIP number). Update only the leading token in the title so
it reads e.g. "GIP-001 — Hierarchical Probabilistic Subtree Filters for Private
Query Planning in GroveDB", and ensure the chosen number is consistent with your
project's numbering registry (or create/confirm the new GIP number in the
proposals index).


## 1. Abstract

This proposal introduces a **specialized Merk‑AVL subtree type** in GroveDB whose internal nodes at selected levels carry **union‑composable approximate‑membership filters**. By choosing a filter whose **parent equals the bitwise union of its children**, the structure remains correct across inserts, deletes, and **AVL rotations**. Clients can first download and verify a **whole “cut” layer** of filters, privately test their own keys locally, and then selectively descend only into subtrees that **might** contain matches. The technique provides **predictable bandwidth** and **reduced information leakage** compared to querying subtrees directly. GroveDB’s design already supports authenticated subtrees and **cross‑tree references**; this DIP adds a verifiable, privacy‑preserving **map‑before‑fetch** capability. [oai_citation:0‡GitHub](https://github.com/dashpay/grovedb)
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⚠️ Potential issue | 🟠 Major

Remove or restructure oai_citation artifacts.

The document contains multiple oai_citation tags (e.g., [oai_citation:0‡GitHub], [oai_citation:1‡Dash Documentation], etc.) scattered throughout. These appear to be AI-generated artifacts that should be either removed or converted to a standard markdown reference format (e.g., [1] with a numbered reference list at the end, or inline [link text](url)). The current format is non-standard and reduces readability.

If you want to keep citations, consolidate them into a numbered footnote system at the end of each section or in the References section using standard markdown syntax.

Example cleanup for the Abstract (lines 34–36):

- This proposal introduces a **specialized Merk‑AVL subtree type** in GroveDB whose internal nodes at selected levels carry **union‑composable approximate‑membership filters**. By choosing a filter whose **parent equals the bitwise union of its children**, the structure remains correct across inserts, deletes, and **AVL rotations**. Clients can first download and verify a **whole "cut" layer** of filters, privately test their own keys locally, and then selectively descend only into subtrees that **might** contain matches. The technique provides **predictable bandwidth** and **reduced information leakage** compared to querying subtrees directly. GroveDB's design already supports authenticated subtrees and **cross‑tree references**; this DIP adds a verifiable, privacy‑preserving **map‑before‑fetch** capability.  [oai_citation:0‡GitHub](https://github.com/dashpay/grovedb)
+ This proposal introduces a **specialized Merk‑AVL subtree type** in GroveDB whose internal nodes at selected levels carry **union‑composable approximate‑membership filters**. By choosing a filter whose **parent equals the bitwise union of its children**, the structure remains correct across inserts, deletes, and **AVL rotations**. Clients can first download and verify a **whole "cut" layer** of filters, privately test their own keys locally, and then selectively descend only into subtrees that **might** contain matches. The technique provides **predictable bandwidth** and **reduced information leakage** compared to querying subtrees directly. GroveDB's design already supports authenticated subtrees and **cross‑tree references**; this DIP adds a verifiable, privacy‑preserving **map‑before‑fetch** capability.[1]

Then add a References section entry:

+ [1] GroveDB: https://github.com/dashpay/grovedb

Apply this pattern consistently throughout the document.

Also applies to: 42-42, 48-48, 49-49, 50-50, 56-56, 59-59, 60-60, 79-79, 88-88, 106-106, 140-140, 146-146, 172-172, 180-180, 186-186, 192-197

🤖 Prompt for AI Agents
In docs/grovedb-improvement-proposals/subtree-filters.md (approx lines 34–197),
the document contains nonstandard `oai_citation` artifacts scattered through the
text; remove or replace each `oai_citation` token with standard Markdown links
or numeric footnote references, consolidate all citations into a single numbered
References section at the end of the document, update every inline occurrence to
use either an inline link format [link text](URL) or a numeric marker [1], [2],
etc., and ensure the References list includes the corresponding full URLs and
labels in order so all replaced markers resolve correctly and consistently
throughout the file.

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