Index: docs/MIRLangRef.rst
===================================================================
--- docs/MIRLangRef.rst
+++ docs/MIRLangRef.rst
@@ -72,6 +72,48 @@
 specify a target triple or a target architecture either in the run line or in
 the embedded LLVM IR module.
 
+Simplifying MIR files
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+The MIR code coming out of ``-stop-after``/``-stop-before`` is very verbose;
+You can usually make the tests more accessible and future proof by simplifying
+it:
+
+- Machine function attributes often have default values or the test works just
+  as well with default values. Typical candidates for this are: `alignment:`,
+  `exposesReturnsTwice`, `legalized`, `regBankSelected`, `selected`.
+  The whole `frameInfo` section is often unnecessary if there is no special
+  frame usage in the function. `tracksRegLiveness` on the other hand is often
+  necessary for some passes that care about block livein lists.
+
+- The (global) `liveins:` list is typically only interesting for early
+  instruction selection passes and can be removed when testing later passes.
+  The per-block `liveins:` on the other hand are necessary if
+  `tracksRegLiveness` is true.
+
+- MIR code contains a whole IR module. This is necessary because there are
+  no equivalents in MIR for global variables, references to external functions,
+  function attributes, metadata, debug info. Instead some MIR data references
+  the IR constructs. You can often remove them if the test doesn't depend on
+  them.
+
+- Alias Analysis is performed on IR values. These are referenced by memory
+  operands in MIR. Example: `:: (load 8 from %ir.foobar, !alias.scope !9)`.
+  If the test doesn't depend on (good) alias analysis the references can be
+  dropped: `:: (load 8)`
+
+- MIR blocks can reference IR blocks for debug printing, profile information
+  or debug locations. Example: `bb.42.myblock` in MIR references the IR block
+  `myblock`. It is usually possible to drop the `.myblock` reference and simply
+  use `bb.42`.
+
+- If there are no memory operands or blocks left that reference then the IR
+  function can be replaced by a dummy in the form `define @func() { ret void }`.
+
+- It is possible to drop the whole IR section of the MIR file if it only
+  contains dummy function (see above). In this case the .mir loader will
+  create dummy automatically.
+
 Limitations
 -----------