{"id":"bitcask-compact-writes-hint-files","text":"Compaction produces `.hint` files alongside each merged data file (including mid-compaction when a merged file hits `max_file_size`), enabling O(keys) index rebuilds instead of O(records) full scans on next startup.","truth_value":"IN","source":"entries/2026/05/28/hash-index-storage-bitcask-compact.md","source_url":"","source_hash":"","justifications":[],"dependents":[],"metadata":{},"explanation":{"steps":[{"node":"bitcask-compact-writes-hint-files","truth_value":"IN","reason":"premise"}]}}