Techniques for replication rule evaluation are provided. A replication rule is received at a first node of a plurality of nodes where the replication rule defines object replication among the plurality of nodes. The replication rule is labeled as pending, where a second replication rule on the first node is labeled as active. Upon receiving a request to predict an effect of the replication rule, a first object of a plurality of objects is identified based on the first replication rule. Upon determining that the first object is present on the first node but is not present on a second node of the plurality of nodes, an indication of the first object is outputted.