Setting Up Hooks in Claude Code for Reliable Workflow Automation

steps

1. Locate your configuration file. Open the main configuration file (e.g., claude.config.json). This file is where hooks are defined and enabled.

2. Add a hook to the configuration. Example of enabling a session start hook:

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   {
       "hooks": {
           "session_start": {
               "enabled": true,
               "action": "log_event"
           }
       }
   }

   Replace "log_event" with your desired action or script.

3. Test the hook functionality. Start a new Claude session to verify the session_start hook works:

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   claude start
   # Expected behavior: Triggered hook action (e.g., a logged message or sound notification)

4. Enable additional hooks as needed. Modify your configuration to add hooks for other events, such as user_prompt_submit or tool_use. Test each hook to ensure reliability.

steps

1. Enable pre-tool and post-tool hooks in the configuration.

   jsonCopy

   {
       "hooks": {
           "pre_tool_use": {
               "enabled": true,
               "action": "validate_input"
           },
           "post_tool_use": {
               "enabled": true,
               "action": "verify_output"
           }
       }
   }

   These hooks allow you to validate inputs and assess outcomes of executed tools.

2. Simulate a tool use scenario. Run a supported tool in Claude Code to observe the behavior triggered by the pre-tool and post-tool use hooks:

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   claude run-tool --name example_tool
   # Expected: Pre-tool hook validation, tool execution, post-tool output verification.

3. Handle failure scenarios with hooks. Add a tool_failed hook to respond to tool execution errors:

   jsonCopy

   {
       "hooks": {
           "tool_failed": {
               "enabled": true,
               "action": "send_notification"
           }
       }
   }