diff --git a/lib/tests/test_commit_concurrent.rs b/lib/tests/test_commit_concurrent.rs
index b98133422..0084cd872 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_commit_concurrent.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_commit_concurrent.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ use std::thread;
 use jujutsu_lib::dag_walk;
 use jujutsu_lib::repo::{ReadonlyRepo, StoreFactories};
 use test_case::test_case;
-use testutils::{create_random_commit, TestWorkspace};
+use testutils::{write_random_commit, TestWorkspace};
 
 fn count_non_merge_operations(repo: &ReadonlyRepo) -> usize {
     let op_store = repo.op_store();
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ fn test_commit_parallel(use_git: bool) {
         let repo = repo.clone();
         let handle = thread::spawn(move || {
             let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-            create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+            write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
             tx.commit();
         });
         threads.push(handle);
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ fn test_commit_parallel_instances(use_git: bool) {
                 .unwrap();
         let handle = thread::spawn(move || {
             let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-            create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+            write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
             tx.commit();
         });
         threads.push(handle);
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_git.rs b/lib/tests/test_git.rs
index 82afdfd72..83f9c6250 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_git.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_git.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ use jujutsu_lib::repo::ReadonlyRepo;
 use jujutsu_lib::settings::UserSettings;
 use maplit::{btreemap, hashset};
 use tempfile::TempDir;
-use testutils::{create_random_commit, TestRepo};
+use testutils::{create_random_commit, write_random_commit, TestRepo};
 
 fn empty_git_commit<'r>(
     git_repo: &'r git2::Repository,
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ fn test_export_refs_unborn_git_branch() {
     mut_repo.rebase_descendants(&test_data.settings).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(git::export_refs(mut_repo, &git_repo), Ok(vec![]));
 
-    let new_commit = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
+    let new_commit = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
     mut_repo.set_local_branch(
         "main".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(new_commit.id().clone()),
@@ -572,9 +572,9 @@ fn test_export_import_sequence() {
         .repo
         .start_transaction(&test_data.settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let commit_a = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
-    let commit_b = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
-    let commit_c = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
+    let commit_a = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
+    let commit_b = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
+    let commit_c = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
 
     // Import the branch pointing to A
     git_repo
@@ -622,9 +622,9 @@ fn test_export_conflicts() {
         .repo
         .start_transaction(&test_data.settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let commit_a = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
-    let commit_b = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
-    let commit_c = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
+    let commit_a = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
+    let commit_b = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
+    let commit_c = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
     mut_repo.set_local_branch("main".to_string(), RefTarget::Normal(commit_a.id().clone()));
     mut_repo.set_local_branch(
         "feature".to_string(),
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ fn test_export_partial_failure() {
         .repo
         .start_transaction(&test_data.settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let commit_a = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
+    let commit_a = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
     let target = RefTarget::Normal(commit_a.id().clone());
     // Empty string is disallowed by Git
     mut_repo.set_local_branch("".to_string(), target.clone());
@@ -723,9 +723,9 @@ fn test_export_reexport_transitions() {
         .repo
         .start_transaction(&test_data.settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let commit_a = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
-    let commit_b = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
-    let commit_c = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings).write();
+    let commit_a = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
+    let commit_b = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
+    let commit_c = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &test_data.settings);
     // Create a few branches whose names indicate how they change in jj in git. The
     // first letter represents the branch's target in the last export. The second
     // letter represents the branch's target in jj. The third letter represents the
@@ -1229,7 +1229,7 @@ fn test_push_updates_not_fast_forward() {
     let temp_dir = testutils::new_temp_dir();
     let mut setup = set_up_push_repos(&settings, &temp_dir);
     let mut tx = setup.jj_repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let new_commit = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let new_commit = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     setup.jj_repo = tx.commit();
     let result = git::push_updates(
         &setup.jj_repo.store().git_repo().unwrap(),
@@ -1250,7 +1250,7 @@ fn test_push_updates_not_fast_forward_with_force() {
     let temp_dir = testutils::new_temp_dir();
     let mut setup = set_up_push_repos(&settings, &temp_dir);
     let mut tx = setup.jj_repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let new_commit = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let new_commit = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     setup.jj_repo = tx.commit();
     let result = git::push_updates(
         &setup.jj_repo.store().git_repo().unwrap(),
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_index.rs b/lib/tests/test_index.rs
index c9270d645..519591e6e 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_index.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_index.rs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ use jujutsu_lib::index::IndexRef;
 use jujutsu_lib::repo::{MutableRepo, ReadonlyRepo, StoreFactories};
 use jujutsu_lib::settings::UserSettings;
 use test_case::test_case;
-use testutils::{create_random_commit, CommitGraphBuilder, TestRepo};
+use testutils::{create_random_commit, write_random_commit, CommitGraphBuilder, TestRepo};
 
 #[must_use]
 fn child_commit<'repo>(
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ fn create_n_commits(
 ) -> Arc<ReadonlyRepo> {
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(settings, "test");
     for _ in 0..num_commits {
-        create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), settings).write();
+        write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), settings);
     }
     tx.commit()
 }
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_init.rs b/lib/tests/test_init.rs
index 51f924c2d..3e7ff89b1 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_init.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_init.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ use jujutsu_lib::op_store::WorkspaceId;
 use jujutsu_lib::settings::UserSettings;
 use jujutsu_lib::workspace::Workspace;
 use test_case::test_case;
-use testutils::{create_random_commit, TestWorkspace};
+use testutils::{write_random_commit, TestWorkspace};
 
 fn canonicalize(input: &Path) -> (PathBuf, PathBuf) {
     let uncanonical = input.join("..").join(input.file_name().unwrap());
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ fn test_init_local() {
 
     // Just test that we can write a commit to the store
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ fn test_init_internal_git() {
 
     // Just test that we ca write a commit to the store
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ fn test_init_external_git() {
 
     // Just test that we can write a commit to the store
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
 }
 
 #[test_case(false ; "local backend")]
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_load_repo.rs b/lib/tests/test_load_repo.rs
index cc2a42db1..95b98cb83 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_load_repo.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_load_repo.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 use jujutsu_lib::repo::{RepoLoader, StoreFactories};
 use test_case::test_case;
-use testutils::{create_random_commit, TestRepo};
+use testutils::{write_random_commit, TestRepo};
 
 #[test_case(false ; "local backend")]
 #[test_case(true ; "git backend")]
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ fn test_load_at_operation(use_git: bool) {
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "add commit");
-    let commit = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let commit = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "remove commit");
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_mut_repo.rs b/lib/tests/test_mut_repo.rs
index f71316a31..c3e91175a 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_mut_repo.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_mut_repo.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@ use jujutsu_lib::commit_builder::CommitBuilder;
 use jujutsu_lib::op_store::{RefTarget, WorkspaceId};
 use maplit::hashset;
 use test_case::test_case;
-use testutils::{assert_rebased, create_random_commit, CommitGraphBuilder, TestRepo};
+use testutils::{
+    assert_rebased, create_random_commit, write_random_commit, CommitGraphBuilder, TestRepo,
+};
 
 #[test_case(false ; "local backend")]
 #[test_case(true ; "git backend")]
@@ -27,7 +29,7 @@ fn test_edit(use_git: bool) {
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let wc_commit = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let wc_commit = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
@@ -46,7 +48,7 @@ fn test_checkout(use_git: bool) {
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let requested_checkout = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let requested_checkout = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
@@ -75,14 +77,14 @@ fn test_checkout_previous_not_empty(use_git: bool) {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let old_checkout = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let old_checkout = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     let ws_id = WorkspaceId::default();
     mut_repo.edit(ws_id.clone(), &old_checkout).unwrap();
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let new_checkout = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let new_checkout = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.edit(ws_id, &new_checkout).unwrap();
     mut_repo.rebase_descendants(&settings).unwrap();
     assert!(mut_repo.view().heads().contains(old_checkout.id()));
@@ -112,7 +114,7 @@ fn test_checkout_previous_empty(use_git: bool) {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let new_wc_commit = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let new_wc_commit = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.edit(ws_id, &new_wc_commit).unwrap();
     mut_repo.rebase_descendants(&settings).unwrap();
     assert!(!mut_repo.view().heads().contains(old_checkout.id()));
@@ -143,7 +145,7 @@ fn test_checkout_previous_empty_with_description(use_git: bool) {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let new_checkout = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let new_checkout = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.edit(ws_id, &new_checkout).unwrap();
     mut_repo.rebase_descendants(&settings).unwrap();
     assert!(mut_repo.view().heads().contains(old_checkout.id()));
@@ -180,7 +182,7 @@ fn test_checkout_previous_empty_non_head(use_git: bool) {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let new_checkout = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let new_checkout = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.edit(ws_id, &new_checkout).unwrap();
     mut_repo.rebase_descendants(&settings).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
@@ -199,7 +201,7 @@ fn test_edit_initial(use_git: bool) {
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let checkout = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let checkout = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
@@ -224,7 +226,7 @@ fn test_add_head_success(use_git: bool) {
     // Create a commit outside of the repo by using a temporary transaction. Then
     // add that as a head.
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let new_commit = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let new_commit = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     drop(tx);
 
     let index_stats = repo.index().stats();
@@ -287,7 +289,7 @@ fn test_add_head_not_immediate_child(use_git: bool) {
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let initial = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let initial = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     // Create some commit outside of the repo by using a temporary transaction. Then
@@ -373,7 +375,7 @@ fn test_add_public_head(use_git: bool) {
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
@@ -421,7 +423,7 @@ fn test_remove_public_head(use_git: bool) {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.add_public_head(&commit1);
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
@@ -446,8 +448,8 @@ fn test_has_changed(use_git: bool) {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit2 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit2 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.remove_head(commit2.id());
     mut_repo.add_public_head(&commit1);
     let ws_id = WorkspaceId::default();
@@ -610,7 +612,7 @@ fn test_rename_remote(use_git: bool) {
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let commit = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     let target = RefTarget::Normal(commit.id().clone());
     mut_repo.set_remote_branch("main".to_string(), "origin".to_string(), target.clone());
     mut_repo.rename_remote("origin", "upstream");
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_operations.rs b/lib/tests/test_operations.rs
index 08e49292c..a382225e8 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_operations.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_operations.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ use jujutsu_lib::backend::CommitId;
 use jujutsu_lib::commit_builder::CommitBuilder;
 use jujutsu_lib::repo::RepoRef;
 use test_case::test_case;
-use testutils::{create_random_commit, TestRepo};
+use testutils::{create_random_commit, write_random_commit, TestRepo};
 
 fn list_dir(dir: &Path) -> Vec<String> {
     std::fs::read_dir(dir)
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ fn test_unpublished_operation(use_git: bool) {
     assert_eq!(list_dir(&op_heads_dir), vec![repo.op_id().hex()]);
 
     let mut tx1 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "transaction 1");
-    create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let unpublished_op = tx1.write();
     let op_id1 = unpublished_op.operation().id().clone();
     assert_ne!(op_id1, op_id0);
@@ -63,14 +63,14 @@ fn test_consecutive_operations(use_git: bool) {
     assert_eq!(list_dir(&op_heads_dir), vec![repo.op_id().hex()]);
 
     let mut tx1 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "transaction 1");
-    create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let op_id1 = tx1.commit().operation().id().clone();
     assert_ne!(op_id1, op_id0);
     assert_eq!(list_dir(&op_heads_dir), vec![op_id1.hex()]);
 
     let repo = repo.reload_at_head(&settings).unwrap();
     let mut tx2 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "transaction 2");
-    create_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    write_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let op_id2 = tx2.commit().operation().id().clone();
     assert_ne!(op_id2, op_id0);
     assert_ne!(op_id2, op_id1);
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ fn test_concurrent_operations(use_git: bool) {
     assert_eq!(list_dir(&op_heads_dir), vec![repo.op_id().hex()]);
 
     let mut tx1 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "transaction 1");
-    create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let op_id1 = tx1.commit().operation().id().clone();
     assert_ne!(op_id1, op_id0);
     assert_eq!(list_dir(&op_heads_dir), vec![op_id1.hex()]);
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ fn test_concurrent_operations(use_git: bool) {
     // After both transactions have committed, we should have two op-heads on disk,
     // since they were run in parallel.
     let mut tx2 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "transaction 2");
-    create_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    write_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let op_id2 = tx2.commit().operation().id().clone();
     assert_ne!(op_id2, op_id0);
     assert_ne!(op_id2, op_id1);
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_revset.rs b/lib/tests/test_revset.rs
index ccb307815..4bb2251f6 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_revset.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_revset.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,9 @@ use jujutsu_lib::revset::{
 };
 use jujutsu_lib::workspace::Workspace;
 use test_case::test_case;
-use testutils::{create_random_commit, CommitGraphBuilder, TestRepo, TestWorkspace};
+use testutils::{
+    create_random_commit, write_random_commit, CommitGraphBuilder, TestRepo, TestWorkspace,
+};
 
 #[test_case(false ; "local backend")]
 #[test_case(true ; "git backend")]
@@ -288,8 +290,8 @@ fn test_resolve_symbol_checkout(use_git: bool) {
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
 
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit2 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit2 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
 
     let ws1 = WorkspaceId::new("ws1".to_string());
     let ws2 = WorkspaceId::new("ws2".to_string());
@@ -340,11 +342,11 @@ fn test_resolve_symbol_git_refs() {
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
 
     // Create some commits and refs to work with and so the repo is not empty
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit2 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit3 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit4 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit5 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit2 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit3 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit4 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit5 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.set_git_ref(
         "refs/heads/branch1".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(commit1.id().clone()),
@@ -502,7 +504,7 @@ fn test_evaluate_expression_root_and_checkout(use_git: bool) {
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
 
     let root_commit = repo.store().root_commit();
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
 
     // Can find the root commit
     assert_eq!(
@@ -747,7 +749,7 @@ fn test_evaluate_expression_children(use_git: bool) {
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
 
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     let commit2 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings)
         .set_parents(vec![commit1.id().clone()])
         .write();
@@ -1088,7 +1090,7 @@ fn test_evaluate_expression_descendants(use_git: bool) {
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
 
     let root_commit_id = repo.store().root_commit_id().clone();
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     let commit2 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings)
         .set_parents(vec![commit1.id().clone()])
         .write();
@@ -1227,10 +1229,10 @@ fn test_evaluate_expression_git_refs(use_git: bool) {
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
 
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit2 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit3 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit4 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit2 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit3 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit4 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
 
     // Can get git refs when there are none
     assert_eq!(
@@ -1296,7 +1298,7 @@ fn test_evaluate_expression_git_head(use_git: bool) {
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
 
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
 
     // Can get git head when it's not set
     assert_eq!(
@@ -1320,10 +1322,10 @@ fn test_evaluate_expression_branches(use_git: bool) {
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
 
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit2 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit3 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit4 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit2 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit3 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit4 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
 
     // Can get branches when there are none
     assert_eq!(
@@ -1389,10 +1391,10 @@ fn test_evaluate_expression_remote_branches(use_git: bool) {
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
 
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit2 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit3 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let commit4 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit2 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit3 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let commit4 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
 
     // Can get branches when there are none
     assert_eq!(
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_rewrite.rs b/lib/tests/test_rewrite.rs
index 582b51ab7..f7405540e 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_rewrite.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_rewrite.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ use jujutsu_lib::repo_path::RepoPath;
 use jujutsu_lib::rewrite::DescendantRebaser;
 use maplit::{hashmap, hashset};
 use test_case::test_case;
-use testutils::{assert_rebased, create_random_commit, CommitGraphBuilder, TestRepo};
+use testutils::{
+    assert_rebased, create_random_commit, write_random_commit, CommitGraphBuilder, TestRepo,
+};
 
 #[test_case(false ; "local backend")]
 #[test_case(true ; "git backend")]
@@ -1277,7 +1279,7 @@ fn test_rebase_descendants_update_checkout(use_git: bool) {
     // |/
     // A
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let commit_a = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let commit_a = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let commit_b = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings)
         .set_parents(vec![commit_a.id().clone()])
         .write();
@@ -1323,7 +1325,7 @@ fn test_rebase_descendants_update_checkout_abandoned(use_git: bool) {
     // |
     // A
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let commit_a = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let commit_a = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let commit_b = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings)
         .set_parents(vec![commit_a.id().clone()])
         .write();
@@ -1376,7 +1378,7 @@ fn test_rebase_descendants_update_checkout_abandoned_merge(use_git: bool) {
     // |/
     // A
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let commit_a = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let commit_a = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let commit_b = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings)
         .set_parents(vec![commit_a.id().clone()])
         .write();
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_view.rs b/lib/tests/test_view.rs
index 752da142d..a55f295df 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_view.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_view.rs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ use jujutsu_lib::settings::UserSettings;
 use jujutsu_lib::transaction::Transaction;
 use maplit::{btreemap, hashset};
 use test_case::test_case;
-use testutils::{create_random_commit, CommitGraphBuilder, TestRepo};
+use testutils::{create_random_commit, write_random_commit, CommitGraphBuilder, TestRepo};
 
 #[test_case(false ; "local backend")]
 #[test_case(true ; "git backend")]
@@ -89,14 +89,14 @@ fn test_merge_views_heads() {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let head_unchanged = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let head_remove_tx1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let head_remove_tx2 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let public_head_unchanged = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let head_unchanged = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let head_remove_tx1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let head_remove_tx2 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let public_head_unchanged = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.add_public_head(&public_head_unchanged);
-    let public_head_remove_tx1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let public_head_remove_tx1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.add_public_head(&public_head_remove_tx1);
-    let public_head_remove_tx2 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let public_head_remove_tx2 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.add_public_head(&public_head_remove_tx2);
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
@@ -104,8 +104,8 @@ fn test_merge_views_heads() {
     tx1.mut_repo().remove_head(head_remove_tx1.id());
     tx1.mut_repo()
         .remove_public_head(public_head_remove_tx1.id());
-    let head_add_tx1 = create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
-    let public_head_add_tx1 = create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let head_add_tx1 = write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
+    let public_head_add_tx1 = write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx1.mut_repo().add_public_head(&public_head_add_tx1);
     tx1.commit();
 
@@ -113,8 +113,8 @@ fn test_merge_views_heads() {
     tx2.mut_repo().remove_head(head_remove_tx2.id());
     tx2.mut_repo()
         .remove_public_head(public_head_remove_tx2.id());
-    let head_add_tx2 = create_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
-    let public_head_add_tx2 = create_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let head_add_tx2 = write_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings);
+    let public_head_add_tx2 = write_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx2.mut_repo().add_public_head(&public_head_add_tx2);
     tx2.commit();
 
@@ -155,9 +155,9 @@ fn test_merge_views_checkout() {
     // Workspace 6 gets added in tx1.
     // Workspace 7 gets added in tx2.
     let mut initial_tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let commit1 = create_random_commit(initial_tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
-    let commit2 = create_random_commit(initial_tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
-    let commit3 = create_random_commit(initial_tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let commit1 = write_random_commit(initial_tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
+    let commit2 = write_random_commit(initial_tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
+    let commit3 = write_random_commit(initial_tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let ws1_id = WorkspaceId::new("ws1".to_string());
     let ws2_id = WorkspaceId::new("ws2".to_string());
     let ws3_id = WorkspaceId::new("ws3".to_string());
@@ -245,10 +245,10 @@ fn test_merge_views_branches() {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let main_branch_local_tx0 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let main_branch_origin_tx0 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let main_branch_origin_tx1 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
-    let main_branch_alternate_tx0 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let main_branch_local_tx0 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let main_branch_origin_tx0 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let main_branch_origin_tx1 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
+    let main_branch_alternate_tx0 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.set_local_branch(
         "main".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(main_branch_local_tx0.id().clone()),
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ fn test_merge_views_branches() {
         "alternate".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(main_branch_alternate_tx0.id().clone()),
     );
-    let feature_branch_local_tx0 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let feature_branch_local_tx0 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.set_git_ref(
         "feature".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(feature_branch_local_tx0.id().clone()),
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ fn test_merge_views_branches() {
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx1 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let main_branch_local_tx1 = create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let main_branch_local_tx1 = write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx1.mut_repo().set_local_branch(
         "main".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(main_branch_local_tx1.id().clone()),
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ fn test_merge_views_branches() {
         "origin".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(main_branch_origin_tx1.id().clone()),
     );
-    let feature_branch_tx1 = create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let feature_branch_tx1 = write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx1.mut_repo().set_local_branch(
         "feature".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(feature_branch_tx1.id().clone()),
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ fn test_merge_views_branches() {
     tx1.commit();
 
     let mut tx2 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let main_branch_local_tx2 = create_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let main_branch_local_tx2 = write_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx2.mut_repo().set_local_branch(
         "main".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(main_branch_local_tx2.id().clone()),
@@ -338,23 +338,23 @@ fn test_merge_views_tags() {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let v1_tx0 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let v1_tx0 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.set_tag("v1.0".to_string(), RefTarget::Normal(v1_tx0.id().clone()));
-    let v2_tx0 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let v2_tx0 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.set_tag("v2.0".to_string(), RefTarget::Normal(v2_tx0.id().clone()));
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx1 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let v1_tx1 = create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let v1_tx1 = write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx1.mut_repo()
         .set_tag("v1.0".to_string(), RefTarget::Normal(v1_tx1.id().clone()));
-    let v2_tx1 = create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let v2_tx1 = write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx1.mut_repo()
         .set_tag("v2.0".to_string(), RefTarget::Normal(v2_tx1.id().clone()));
     tx1.commit();
 
     let mut tx2 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let v1_tx2 = create_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let v1_tx2 = write_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx2.mut_repo()
         .set_tag("v1.0".to_string(), RefTarget::Normal(v1_tx2.id().clone()));
     tx2.commit();
@@ -384,12 +384,12 @@ fn test_merge_views_git_refs() {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let main_branch_tx0 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let main_branch_tx0 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.set_git_ref(
         "refs/heads/main".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(main_branch_tx0.id().clone()),
     );
-    let feature_branch_tx0 = create_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings).write();
+    let feature_branch_tx0 = write_random_commit(mut_repo, &settings);
     mut_repo.set_git_ref(
         "refs/heads/feature".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(feature_branch_tx0.id().clone()),
@@ -397,12 +397,12 @@ fn test_merge_views_git_refs() {
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx1 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let main_branch_tx1 = create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let main_branch_tx1 = write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx1.mut_repo().set_git_ref(
         "refs/heads/main".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(main_branch_tx1.id().clone()),
     );
-    let feature_branch_tx1 = create_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let feature_branch_tx1 = write_random_commit(tx1.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx1.mut_repo().set_git_ref(
         "refs/heads/feature".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(feature_branch_tx1.id().clone()),
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ fn test_merge_views_git_refs() {
     tx1.commit();
 
     let mut tx2 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let main_branch_tx2 = create_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let main_branch_tx2 = write_random_commit(tx2.mut_repo(), &settings);
     tx2.mut_repo().set_git_ref(
         "refs/heads/main".to_string(),
         RefTarget::Normal(main_branch_tx2.id().clone()),
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ fn test_merge_views_divergent() {
     let test_repo = TestRepo::init(false);
 
     let mut tx = test_repo.repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let commit_a = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let commit_a = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx1 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ fn test_merge_views_child_on_rewritten(child_first: bool) {
     let test_repo = TestRepo::init(false);
 
     let mut tx = test_repo.repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let commit_a = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let commit_a = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx1 = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@ fn test_merge_views_child_on_rewritten_divergent(on_rewritten: bool, child_first
     let test_repo = TestRepo::init(false);
 
     let mut tx = test_repo.repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let commit_a2 = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let commit_a2 = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let commit_a3 = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings)
         .set_change_id(commit_a2.change_id().clone())
         .write();
@@ -583,7 +583,7 @@ fn test_merge_views_child_on_abandoned(child_first: bool) {
     let test_repo = TestRepo::init(false);
 
     let mut tx = test_repo.repo.start_transaction(&settings, "test");
-    let commit_a = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).write();
+    let commit_a = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings);
     let commit_b = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings)
         .set_parents(vec![commit_a.id().clone()])
         .write();
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_working_copy.rs b/lib/tests/test_working_copy.rs
index 1ae64f99f..9f4fbd2a0 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_working_copy.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_working_copy.rs
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ use jujutsu_lib::settings::UserSettings;
 use jujutsu_lib::tree_builder::TreeBuilder;
 use jujutsu_lib::working_copy::WorkingCopy;
 use test_case::test_case;
-use testutils::{create_random_commit, TestWorkspace};
+use testutils::{write_random_commit, TestWorkspace};
 
 #[test_case(false ; "local backend")]
 #[test_case(true ; "git backend")]
@@ -164,10 +164,7 @@ fn test_checkout_file_transitions(use_git: bool) {
             }
             Kind::GitSubmodule => {
                 let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(settings, "test");
-                let id = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), settings)
-                    .write()
-                    .id()
-                    .clone();
+                let id = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), settings).id().clone();
                 tx.commit();
                 TreeValue::GitSubmodule(id)
             }
@@ -691,10 +688,7 @@ fn test_gitsubmodule() {
     );
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction(&settings, "create submodule commit");
-    let submodule_id = create_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings)
-        .write()
-        .id()
-        .clone();
+    let submodule_id = write_random_commit(tx.mut_repo(), &settings).id().clone();
     tx.commit();
 
     tree_builder.set(
diff --git a/lib/testutils/src/lib.rs b/lib/testutils/src/lib.rs
index d3ddbf0da..0842833d8 100644
--- a/lib/testutils/src/lib.rs
+++ b/lib/testutils/src/lib.rs
@@ -224,6 +224,10 @@ pub fn create_random_commit<'repo>(
     .set_description(format!("random commit {number}"))
 }
 
+pub fn write_random_commit(mut_repo: &mut MutableRepo, settings: &UserSettings) -> Commit {
+    create_random_commit(mut_repo, settings).write()
+}
+
 pub fn write_working_copy_file(workspace_root: &Path, path: &RepoPath, contents: &str) {
     let mut file = OpenOptions::new()
         .write(true)
@@ -248,7 +252,7 @@ impl<'settings, 'repo> CommitGraphBuilder<'settings, 'repo> {
     }
 
     pub fn initial_commit(&mut self) -> Commit {
-        create_random_commit(self.mut_repo, self.settings).write()
+        write_random_commit(self.mut_repo, self.settings)
     }
 
     pub fn commit_with_parents(&mut self, parents: &[&Commit]) -> Commit {