Common Hook Patterns

This reference provides common, proven patterns for implementing Claude Code hooks. Use these patterns as starting points for typical hook use cases.

Pattern 1: Security Validation

Block dangerous file writes using prompt-based hooks:

{
  "PreToolUse": [
    {
      "matcher": "Write|Edit",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "prompt",
          "prompt": "File path: $TOOL_INPUT.file_path. Verify: 1) Not in /etc or system directories 2) Not .env or credentials 3) Path doesn't contain '..' traversal. Return 'approve' or 'deny'."
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Use for: Preventing writes to sensitive files or system directories.

Pattern 2: Test Enforcement

Ensure tests run before stopping:

{
  "Stop": [
    {
      "matcher": "*",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "prompt",
          "prompt": "Review transcript. If code was modified (Write/Edit tools used), verify tests were executed. If no tests were run, block with reason 'Tests must be run after code changes'."
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Use for: Enforcing quality standards and preventing incomplete work.

Pattern 3: Context Loading

Load project-specific context at session start:

{
  "SessionStart": [
    {
      "matcher": "*",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "command",
          "command": "bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/load-context.sh"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Example script (load-context.sh):

#!/bin/bash
cd "$CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR" || exit 1

# Detect project type
if [ -f "package.json" ]; then
  echo "📦 Node.js project detected"
  echo "export PROJECT_TYPE=nodejs" >> "$CLAUDE_ENV_FILE"
elif [ -f "Cargo.toml" ]; then
  echo "🦀 Rust project detected"
  echo "export PROJECT_TYPE=rust" >> "$CLAUDE_ENV_FILE"
fi

Use for: Automatically detecting and configuring project-specific settings.

Pattern 4: Notification Logging

Log all notifications for audit or analysis:

{
  "Notification": [
    {
      "matcher": "*",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "command",
          "command": "bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/log-notification.sh"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Use for: Tracking user notifications or integration with external logging systems.

Pattern 5: MCP Tool Monitoring

Monitor and validate MCP tool usage:

{
  "PreToolUse": [
    {
      "matcher": "mcp__.*__delete.*",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "prompt",
          "prompt": "Deletion operation detected. Verify: Is this deletion intentional? Can it be undone? Are there backups? Return 'approve' only if safe."
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Use for: Protecting against destructive MCP operations.

Pattern 6: Build Verification

Ensure project builds after code changes:

{
  "Stop": [
    {
      "matcher": "*",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "prompt",
          "prompt": "Check if code was modified. If Write/Edit tools were used, verify the project was built (npm run build, cargo build, etc). If not built, block and request build."
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Use for: Catching build errors before committing or stopping work.

Pattern 7: Permission Confirmation

Ask user before dangerous operations:

{
  "PreToolUse": [
    {
      "matcher": "Bash",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "prompt",
          "prompt": "Command: $TOOL_INPUT.command. If command contains 'rm', 'delete', 'drop', or other destructive operations, return 'ask' to confirm with user. Otherwise 'approve'."
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Use for: User confirmation on potentially destructive commands.

Pattern 8: Code Quality Checks

Run linters or formatters on file edits:

{
  "PostToolUse": [
    {
      "matcher": "Write|Edit",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "command",
          "command": "bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/check-quality.sh"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Example script (check-quality.sh):

#!/bin/bash
input=$(cat)
file_path=$(echo "$input" | jq -r '.tool_input.file_path')

# Run linter if applicable
if [[ "$file_path" == *.js ]] || [[ "$file_path" == *.ts ]]; then
  npx eslint "$file_path" 2>&1 || true
fi

Use for: Automatic code quality enforcement.

Pattern Combinations

Combine multiple patterns for comprehensive protection:

{
  "PreToolUse": [
    {
      "matcher": "Write|Edit",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "prompt",
          "prompt": "Validate file write safety"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "matcher": "Bash",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "prompt",
          "prompt": "Validate bash command safety"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "Stop": [
    {
      "matcher": "*",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "prompt",
          "prompt": "Verify tests run and build succeeded"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "SessionStart": [
    {
      "matcher": "*",
      "hooks": [
        {
          "type": "command",
          "command": "bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/load-context.sh"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

This provides multi-layered protection and automation.

Pattern 9: Temporarily Active Hooks

Create hooks that only run when explicitly enabled via flag files:

#!/bin/bash
# Hook only active when flag file exists
FLAG_FILE="$CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR/.enable-security-scan"

if [ ! -f "$FLAG_FILE" ]; then
  # Quick exit when disabled
  exit 0
fi

# Flag present, run validation
input=$(cat)
file_path=$(echo "$input" | jq -r '.tool_input.file_path')

# Run security scan
security-scanner "$file_path"

Activation:

# Enable the hook
touch .enable-security-scan

# Disable the hook
rm .enable-security-scan

Use for:

Temporary debugging hooks
Feature flags for development
Project-specific validation that's opt-in
Performance-intensive checks only when needed

Note: Must restart Claude Code after creating/removing flag files for hooks to recognize changes.

Pattern 10: Configuration-Driven Hooks

Use JSON configuration to control hook behavior:

#!/bin/bash
CONFIG_FILE="$CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR/.claude/my-plugin.local.json"

# Read configuration
if [ -f "$CONFIG_FILE" ]; then
  strict_mode=$(jq -r '.strictMode // false' "$CONFIG_FILE")
  max_file_size=$(jq -r '.maxFileSize // 1000000' "$CONFIG_FILE")
else
  # Defaults
  strict_mode=false
  max_file_size=1000000
fi

# Skip if not in strict mode
if [ "$strict_mode" != "true" ]; then
  exit 0
fi

# Apply configured limits
input=$(cat)
file_size=$(echo "$input" | jq -r '.tool_input.content | length')

if [ "$file_size" -gt "$max_file_size" ]; then
  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "File exceeds configured size limit"}' >&2
  exit 2
fi

Configuration file (.claude/my-plugin.local.json):

{
  "strictMode": true,
  "maxFileSize": 500000,
  "allowedPaths": ["/tmp", "/home/user/projects"]
}