{"id":"merkle-diff-prunes-matching-subtrees","text":"`MerkleTree._diff_recursive()` returns immediately when subtree hashes match, making the diff cost proportional to the number of divergent keys rather than total tree size — the logarithmic efficiency that makes anti-entropy practical.","truth_value":"IN","source":"entries/2026/05/29/topic-anti-entropy-vs-read-repair.md","source_url":"","source_hash":"","justifications":[],"dependents":[],"metadata":{},"explanation":{"steps":[{"node":"merkle-diff-prunes-matching-subtrees","truth_value":"IN","reason":"premise"}]}}