diff --git a/COMMITMSG b/COMMITMSG
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bfa0d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/COMMITMSG
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+fix: Remove the ping() placeholder from all three contracts
+
+- audit-registry\src\lib.rs
+- payment-router\src\lib.rs
+- usage-meter\src\lib.rs
+
+Fixes #43
+
+Signed-off-by: Vedant Madane <6527493+VedantMadane@users.noreply.github.com>
diff --git a/audit-registry/src/lib.rs b/audit-registry/src/lib.rs
index aa2ebc8..9354a80 100644
--- a/audit-registry/src/lib.rs
+++ b/audit-registry/src/lib.rs
@@ -17,11 +17,6 @@ impl AuditRegistry {
             .set(&symbol_short!("admin"), &admin);
     }
 
-    /// Protocol ping — extend with domain logic.
-    pub fn ping(env: Env, marker: Symbol) -> Symbol {
-        let _ = env;
-        marker
-    }
 
     /// Contract ABI / deployment marker for integrators.
     pub fn version(_env: Env) -> u32 {
diff --git a/payment-router/src/lib.rs b/payment-router/src/lib.rs
index 3568337..594dc5d 100644
--- a/payment-router/src/lib.rs
+++ b/payment-router/src/lib.rs
@@ -17,11 +17,6 @@ impl PaymentRouter {
             .set(&symbol_short!("admin"), &admin);
     }
 
-    /// Protocol ping — extend with domain logic.
-    pub fn ping(env: Env, marker: Symbol) -> Symbol {
-        let _ = env;
-        marker
-    }
 
     /// Contract ABI / deployment marker for integrators.
     pub fn version(_env: Env) -> u32 {
diff --git a/usage-meter/src/lib.rs b/usage-meter/src/lib.rs
index ff82a9e..0589274 100644
--- a/usage-meter/src/lib.rs
+++ b/usage-meter/src/lib.rs
@@ -17,11 +17,6 @@ impl UsageMeter {
             .set(&symbol_short!("admin"), &admin);
     }
 
-    /// Protocol ping — extend with domain logic.
-    pub fn ping(env: Env, marker: Symbol) -> Symbol {
-        let _ = env;
-        marker
-    }
 
     /// Contract ABI / deployment marker for integrators.
     pub fn version(_env: Env) -> u32 {