Hook Development

Files (11)

• SKILL.md
• load-context.sh · examples/
• validate-bash.sh · examples/
• validate-write.sh · examples/
• advanced.md · references/
• migration.md · references/
• patterns.md · references/
• README.md · scripts/
• hook-linter.sh · scripts/
• test-hook.sh · scripts/
• validate-hook-schema.sh · scripts/

SKILL.md (first lines)

# Hook Development for Claude Code Plugins

## Overview

Hooks are event-driven automation scripts that execute in response to Claude Code events. Use hooks to validate operations, enforce policies, add context, and integrate external tools into workflows.

**Key capabilities:**
- Validate tool calls before execution (PreToolUse)
- React to tool results (PostToolUse)
- Enforce completion standards (Stop, SubagentStop)
- Load project context (SessionStart)
- Automate workflows across the development lifecycle

## Hook Types

### Prompt-Based Hooks (Recommended)

Use LLM-driven decision making for context-aware validation:

```json
{
  "type": "prompt",
  "prompt": "Evaluate if this tool use is appropriate: $TOOL_INPUT",
  "timeout": 30
}
```

**Supported events:** Stop, SubagentStop, UserPromptSubmit, PreToolUse

**Benefits:**
- Context-aware decisions based on natural language reasoning
- Flexible evaluation logic without bash scripting
- Better edge case handling
- Easier to maintain and extend

### Command Hooks

Execute bash commands for deterministic checks:

```json
{
  "type": "command",
  "command": "bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/validate.sh",
  "timeout": 60
}
```

**Use for:**
- Fast deterministic validations
- File system operations
- External tool integrations
- Performance-critical checks

## Hook Configuration Formats

### Plugin hooks.json Format

**For plugin hooks** in `hooks/hooks.json`, use wrapper format:

```json
{
  "description": "Brief explanation of hooks (optional)",
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [...],
    "Stop": [...],
    "SessionStart": [...]
  }
}
```

**Key points:**
- `description` field is optional
- `hooks` field is required wrapper containing actual hook events
- This is the **plugin-specific format**

**Example:**
```json
{
  "description": "Validation hooks for code quality",
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Write",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/hooks/validate.sh"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

### Settings Format (Direct)

**For user settings** in `.claude/settings.json`, use direct format:

```json
{
  "PreToolUse": [...],
  "Stop": [...],
  "SessionStart": [...]
}
```

**Key points:**
- No wrapper - events directly at top level
- No description field
- This is the **settings format**

**Important:** The examples below show the hook event structure that goes inside either format. For plugin hooks.json, wrap these in `{"hooks": {...}}`.

## Hook Events

### PreToolUse

Execute before any tool runs. Use to approve, deny, or modify tool calls.

From HelixDevelopment/agent, MIT.

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