diff --git a/dev.yml b/dev.yml
index 1fd373ab..7523cc6b 100644
--- a/dev.yml
+++ b/dev.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
 up:
   - ruby
   - bundler
+
+check:
+  rubocop: bundle exec rubocop
+  test: bundle exec rake test
diff --git a/lib/rubocop/shopify/rubocop_reference_common_param_forwardport.rb b/lib/rubocop/shopify/rubocop_reference_common_param_forwardport.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b52bb192
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/rubocop/shopify/rubocop_reference_common_param_forwardport.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+# Once rubocop#13833 is merged, and we update our minimum RuboCop version, this will be true for everyone.
+return if RuboCop::ConfigValidator::COMMON_PARAMS.include?('Reference')
+
+module RuboCop
+  module Shopify
+    # Forward-port of https://github.com/rubocop/rubocop/pull/13833, until it's merged.
+    #
+    # In the meantime, this allow us to specify a `Reference` for all cops, regardless of it the defaults include one.
+    #
+    # Once the PR is merged, released, and we update our minimum RuboCop version, we can remove this file.
+    module RubocopReferenceCommonParamForwardport
+      # AFAICT we can only do this through side effects. Still, we put them in this module to keep it organized.
+      RuboCop::ConfigValidator::COMMON_PARAMS = [
+        *RuboCop::ConfigValidator.send(:remove_const, :COMMON_PARAMS),
+        "Reference",
+      ].freeze
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/rubocop.yml b/rubocop.yml
index 61c5305f..279f25b2 100644
--- a/rubocop.yml
+++ b/rubocop.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 <%
   require "rubocop/shopify/gem_version_string_comparable_backport"
+  require "rubocop/shopify/rubocop_reference_common_param_forwardport" # Remove once rubocop#13833 is merged and we bump our minimum version..
 
   rubocop_version = Gem.loaded_specs.fetch("rubocop").version
 %>
@@ -8,36 +9,87 @@ inherit_mode:
   merge:
   - Exclude
   - Include
+  - Reference
 
 AllCops:
   StyleGuideBaseURL: https://shopify.github.io/ruby-style-guide/
   NewCops: disable # New cops will be triaged by style guide maintainers instead.
 
 # Bundler Department
+Bundler/DuplicatedGem:
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
+
+Bundler/DuplicatedGroup:
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
+
+Bundler/GemComment:
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
+
+Bundler/GemFilename:
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
+
+Bundler/GemVersion:
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
+
+Bundler/InsecureProtocolSource:
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
+
 Bundler/OrderedGems:
   Enabled: false
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 
 
 # Gemspec Department
 <% if rubocop_version >= "1.65" %>
 Gemspec/AddRuntimeDependency:
   Enabled: false
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 <% end %>
 
+Gemspec/DependencyVersion:
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
+
 Gemspec/DeprecatedAttributeAssignment:
   Enabled: true
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 
 Gemspec/DevelopmentDependencies:
   Enabled: true
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
+
+Gemspec/DuplicatedAssignment:
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 
 Gemspec/OrderedDependencies:
   Enabled: false
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 
 Gemspec/RequireMFA:
   Enabled: false
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 
 Gemspec/RequiredRubyVersion:
   Enabled: false
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
+
+Gemspec/RubyVersionGlobalsUsage:
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 
 
 # Layout Department
@@ -113,6 +165,8 @@ Layout/HeredocIndentation:
 <% if rubocop_version >= "1.67" %>
 Layout/LeadingCommentSpace:
   AllowRBSInlineAnnotation: true
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/693
 <% end %>
 
 Layout/LineContinuationLeadingSpace:
@@ -995,6 +1049,8 @@ Style/FrozenStringLiteralComment:
   Details: 'Add `# frozen_string_literal: true` to the top of the file. Frozen string
     literals will become the default in a future Ruby version, and we want to make
     sure we''re ready.'
+  Reference:
+    - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 
 Style/GlobalStdStream:
   Enabled: false
diff --git a/test/config_test.rb b/test/config_test.rb
index 183fcad5..b7fd77d7 100644
--- a/test/config_test.rb
+++ b/test/config_test.rb
@@ -75,8 +75,7 @@ def test_config_is_sorted_alphabetically
   def test_no_cops_are_configured_as_pending
     pending_cops = []
 
-    load_method = YAML.respond_to?(:unsafe_load_file) ? :unsafe_load_file : :load_file
-    YAML.public_send(load_method, FULL_CONFIG_PATH).each do |cop_name, cop_config|
+    YAML.unsafe_load_file(FULL_CONFIG_PATH).each do |cop_name, cop_config|
       pending_cops << cop_name if Hash === cop_config && cop_config["Enabled"] == "pending"
     end
 
@@ -91,6 +90,58 @@ def test_no_cops_are_configured_as_pending
     ERROR_MESSAGE
   end
 
+  def test_all_cops_in_our_config_have_a_reference
+    # We want to document the "why(s)" behind:
+    # - every enabled cop (regardless of if it was enabled by us, or by default), and
+    # - every cop where we diverge from the default configuration (including cops we disable).
+    # We can ignore cops that are disabled by default, although it is not an error to have references for why we left them disabled.
+
+    config_keys = RuboCop::ConfigLoader.load_file("rubocop.yml").to_hash.keys
+    explicitly_configured_cops = config_keys[(config_keys.index("AllCops") + 1)..-1]
+
+    not_cops = ["AllCops", "inherit_mode"]
+
+    # Update as we re-triage each department.
+    departments_requiring_triage = [
+      "Layout",
+      "Lint",
+      "Metrics",
+      "Migration",
+      "Naming",
+      "Rails",
+      "Security",
+      "Style",
+    ]
+
+    cops_missing_references_to_us = []
+
+    YAML.unsafe_load_file(FULL_CONFIG_PATH).each do |cop_name, cop_config|
+      next if not_cops.include?(cop_name)
+      next if references_our_style_guide?(cop_config)
+      next if cop_config["Enabled"] == "false" && !explicitly_configured_cops.include?(cop_name) # WE didn't disable it
+
+      # FIXME: Remove this once we've triaged all the departments.
+      dept_name = cop_name.split("/").first
+      next if departments_requiring_triage.include?(dept_name)
+
+      cops_missing_references_to_us << cop_name
+    end
+
+    return pass if cops_missing_references_to_us.empty?
+
+    flunk(<<~ERROR_MESSAGE.chomp)
+      The following cops are missing a `Reference` to our style guide:
+
+      #{cops_missing_references_to_us.map { "  - #{_1}" }.join("\n")}
+
+      Add a `Reference` to our style guide for each cop, explaining why it is enabled/disabled, or its configuration changed.
+
+        DepartmentName/CopName:
+          Reference:
+            - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/12345
+    ERROR_MESSAGE
+  end
+
   private
 
   def checking_rubocop_version_compatibility?
@@ -103,4 +154,11 @@ def assert_sorted(actual, message)
 
     assert_equal(expected_string, actual_string, message)
   end
+
+  def references_our_style_guide?(cop_config)
+    Array(cop_config["Reference"]).any? do |reference|
+      # For now, references are the PRs that introduced the cop.
+      reference.match?(%r{^https://github\.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/\d+(?:/|$)})
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/test/fixtures/full_config.yml b/test/fixtures/full_config.yml
index 335465f6..ec54a49a 100644
--- a/test/fixtures/full_config.yml
+++ b/test/fixtures/full_config.yml
@@ -115,6 +115,8 @@ Bundler/DuplicatedGem:
   - "**/*.gemfile"
   - "**/Gemfile"
   - "**/gems.rb"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Bundler/DuplicatedGroup:
   Description: Checks for duplicate group entries in Gemfile.
   Enabled: true
@@ -124,6 +126,8 @@ Bundler/DuplicatedGroup:
   - "**/*.gemfile"
   - "**/Gemfile"
   - "**/gems.rb"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Bundler/GemComment:
   Description: Add a comment describing each gem.
   Enabled: false
@@ -135,6 +139,8 @@ Bundler/GemComment:
   - "**/gems.rb"
   IgnoredGems: []
   OnlyFor: []
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Bundler/GemFilename:
   Description: Enforces the filename for managing gems.
   Enabled: true
@@ -148,6 +154,8 @@ Bundler/GemFilename:
   - "**/gems.rb"
   - "**/Gemfile.lock"
   - "**/gems.locked"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Bundler/GemVersion:
   Description: Requires or forbids specifying gem versions.
   Enabled: false
@@ -161,6 +169,8 @@ Bundler/GemVersion:
   - "**/Gemfile"
   - "**/gems.rb"
   AllowedGems: []
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Bundler/InsecureProtocolSource:
   Description: The source `:gemcutter`, `:rubygems` and `:rubyforge` are deprecated
     because HTTP requests are insecure. Please change your source to 'https://rubygems.org'
@@ -174,6 +184,8 @@ Bundler/InsecureProtocolSource:
   - "**/*.gemfile"
   - "**/Gemfile"
   - "**/gems.rb"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Bundler/OrderedGems:
   Description: Gems within groups in the Gemfile should be alphabetically sorted.
   Enabled: false
@@ -185,10 +197,13 @@ Bundler/OrderedGems:
   - "**/*.gemfile"
   - "**/Gemfile"
   - "**/gems.rb"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Gemspec/AddRuntimeDependency:
   Description: Prefer `add_dependency` over `add_runtime_dependency`.
   StyleGuide: "#add_dependency_vs_add_runtime_dependency"
-  Reference: https://github.com/rubygems/rubygems/issues/7799#issuecomment-2192720316
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
   Enabled: false
   VersionAdded: '1.65'
   Include:
@@ -204,6 +219,8 @@ Gemspec/DependencyVersion:
   Include:
   - "**/*.gemspec"
   AllowedGems: []
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Gemspec/DeprecatedAttributeAssignment:
   Description: Checks that deprecated attribute assignments are not set in a gemspec
     file.
@@ -213,6 +230,8 @@ Gemspec/DeprecatedAttributeAssignment:
   VersionChanged: '1.40'
   Include:
   - "**/*.gemspec"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Gemspec/DevelopmentDependencies:
   Description: Checks that development dependencies are specified in Gemfile rather
     than gemspec.
@@ -228,6 +247,8 @@ Gemspec/DevelopmentDependencies:
   - "**/*.gemspec"
   - "**/Gemfile"
   - "**/gems.rb"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Gemspec/DuplicatedAssignment:
   Description: An attribute assignment method calls should be listed only once in
     a gemspec.
@@ -237,6 +258,8 @@ Gemspec/DuplicatedAssignment:
   VersionChanged: '1.40'
   Include:
   - "**/*.gemspec"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Gemspec/OrderedDependencies:
   Description: Dependencies in the gemspec should be alphabetically sorted.
   Enabled: false
@@ -245,6 +268,8 @@ Gemspec/OrderedDependencies:
   ConsiderPunctuation: false
   Include:
   - "**/*.gemspec"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Gemspec/RequireMFA:
   Description: Checks that the gemspec has metadata to require Multi-Factor Authentication
     from RubyGems.
@@ -254,6 +279,7 @@ Gemspec/RequireMFA:
   VersionChanged: '1.40'
   Reference:
   - https://guides.rubygems.org/mfa-requirement-opt-in/
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
   Include:
   - "**/*.gemspec"
 Gemspec/RequiredRubyVersion:
@@ -265,6 +291,8 @@ Gemspec/RequiredRubyVersion:
   VersionChanged: '1.40'
   Include:
   - "**/*.gemspec"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Gemspec/RubyVersionGlobalsUsage:
   Description: Checks usage of RUBY_VERSION in gemspec.
   StyleGuide: "#no-ruby-version-in-the-gemspec"
@@ -274,6 +302,8 @@ Gemspec/RubyVersionGlobalsUsage:
   VersionChanged: '1.40'
   Include:
   - "**/*.gemspec"
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Layout/AccessModifierIndentation:
   Description: Check indentation of private/protected visibility modifiers.
   StyleGuide: "#indent-public-private-protected"
@@ -699,6 +729,8 @@ Layout/LeadingCommentSpace:
   AllowGemfileRubyComment: false
   AllowRBSInlineAnnotation: true
   AllowSteepAnnotation: false
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/693
 Layout/LeadingEmptyLines:
   Description: Check for unnecessary blank lines at the beginning of a file.
   Enabled: true
@@ -3074,6 +3106,8 @@ Style/FrozenStringLiteralComment:
   Details: 'Add `# frozen_string_literal: true` to the top of the file. Frozen string
     literals will become the default in a future Ruby version, and we want to make
     sure we''re ready.'
+  Reference:
+  - https://github.com/Shopify/ruby-style-guide/pull/687
 Style/GlobalStdStream:
   Description: Enforces the use of `$stdout/$stderr/$stdin` instead of `STDOUT/STDERR/STDIN`.
   StyleGuide: "#global-stdout"
@@ -4518,3 +4552,4 @@ inherit_mode:
   merge:
   - Exclude
   - Include
+  - Reference