Automating Your AI Coding Workflow with Claude Code Hooks

As AI-powered coding tools become more sophisticated, one challenge consistently emerges: the need for manual post-processing steps after AI-generated code. Whether it's formatting, linting, or running tests, these repetitive tasks can break your development flow and are easy to forget.

Claude Code's new Hook functionality solves this problem elegantly by allowing you to automate commands at specific points in your development workflow. Let's explore how this feature can streamline your AI coding experience.

What are Claude Code Hooks?

Claude Code Hooks are automated commands that execute at predefined moments during your coding session. Think of them as event listeners for your development workflow – when certain conditions are met, specific commands run automatically in the background.

The primary benefit is consistency. Instead of remembering to run mix format, npm run lint, or other maintenance commands after each AI-generated code change, hooks handle these tasks automatically, ensuring your codebase stays clean and properly formatted.

Setting Up Your First Hook

Getting started with hooks is surprisingly straightforward. Claude Code supports multiple configuration locations to suit different needs.

Step 1: Understanding Configuration Locations

Claude Code hooks are configured in your settings files with different scopes:

• ~/.claude/settings.json - User settings (applies to all your projects)
• .claude/settings.json - Project settings (shared with team, committed to git)
• .claude/settings.local.json - Local project settings (personal overrides, not committed)
• Enterprise managed policy settings (for enterprise users)

The configuration hierarchy means local settings override project settings, which override user settings.

Step 2: Configure Your Hook

For this example, we'll create a project-specific hook. Create or edit .claude/settings.json in your project directory:

{
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Edit",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "mix format"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

This configuration runs mix format after any file edit operation, which is more precise than running it on every Stop event.

Pro tip: If you want this hook to apply to all your Elixir projects, you can add the same configuration to your user settings at ~/.claude/settings.json. For project-specific tweaks that you don't want to share with your team, use .claude/settings.local.json.

That's it! Now every time Claude Code edits a file, your Elixir code will be automatically formatted.

Real-World Example: My Elixir Development Workflow

Let me share why this feature has been a game-changer in my development workflow. Before hooks, my typical Claude Code session looked like this:

1. Ask Claude Code to implement a feature
2. Review the generated code
3. Remember to run mix format
4. Remember to check if tests pass
5. Commit the changes

The problem? Steps 3 and 4 were easy to forget, leading to inconsistent code formatting and unnoticed test failures.

Now, with hooks configured, my workflow is streamlined:

1. Ask Claude Code to implement a feature
2. Review the generated code (automatically formatted!)
3. Commit the changes

The Configuration I Use

Here's my actual .claude/settings.json configuration:

{
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Edit",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "mix format"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

This specifically targets file edit operations rather than running on every completion, making it more efficient and targeted.

Why This Matters

Consistency: Every piece of AI-generated code follows your project's formatting standards automatically.

Focus: You can concentrate on the logic and architecture rather than remembering maintenance tasks.

Team Collaboration: When working with others, everyone benefits from consistently formatted code, regardless of who uses Claude Code.

Hook Types and Configuration Options

Currently, Claude Code supports several hook types and trigger points:

Trigger Points

Claude Code supports several trigger points for different automation needs:

• PreToolUse: Executes before any tool call (can block dangerous operations)
• PostToolUse: Executes after successful tool completion
• Notification: Executes when Claude Code sends notifications
• Stop: Executes when Claude Code finishes responding
• SubagentStop: Executes when Claude Code subagents finish responding

Hook Types

• command: Executes shell commands in your project directory

Configuration Structure

{
  "hooks": {
    "[TRIGGER_POINT]": [
      {
        "matcher": "[OPTIONAL_PATTERN]",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "[YOUR_COMMAND]"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Matcher Patterns

The matcher field allows you to target specific operations:

• Simple strings: Edit matches only the Edit tool
• Regex patterns: Edit|Write or Notebook.* for multiple tools
• Empty or omitted: Runs for all matching events
• Common matchers: Task, Bash, Read, Edit, Write, WebFetch, etc.

Advanced Example

You can configure multiple commands to run sequentially, or target different types of operations:

{
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Edit|Write",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "mix format"
          },
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "mix credo --strict"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "PreToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Bash",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "echo 'About to run: $CLAUDE_TOOL_INPUT' >> .claude/command_log.txt"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

This example shows:

• PostToolUse hooks running formatting and linting after file edits
• PreToolUse hooks logging all bash commands before they execute
• Regex matchers like Edit|Write to match multiple tool types

Future Possibilities

The current hook implementation is just the beginning. The roadmap includes exciting possibilities that could transform how we interact with AI coding tools:

Conditional Execution Based on Command Results

One of the most anticipated features is the ability for hooks to react to command outputs. Imagine if mix test could automatically trigger a fix attempt when tests fail, or if linting errors could prompt automatic corrections.

Pattern-Based Triggers

The matcher field in the configuration suggests future support for running different hooks based on file patterns, project types, or specific conditions. This could enable context-aware automation that adapts to different parts of your codebase.

Advanced Workflow Integration

Future versions might integrate with CI/CD pipelines, automatically triggering deployments, sending notifications, or updating project documentation when certain hooks complete successfully.

Interactive Hooks

There's potential for hooks that can prompt for user input or make decisions based on the results of previous commands, creating more sophisticated automated workflows.

Best Practices and Tips

Start Simple

Begin with basic formatting commands before adding complex workflows. A simple mix format hook on PostToolUse with Edit matcher provides immediate value.

Use Appropriate Trigger Points

• PostToolUse: For formatting, linting, and cleanup after file changes
• PreToolUse: For validation and logging before operations
• Stop: For final actions when Claude Code completes a session
• Notification: For custom alerts and user interaction

Test Your Hooks

Run your hook commands manually first to ensure they work correctly in your environment. Use the /hooks slash command to verify your configuration.

Consider Command Dependencies

Make sure any commands in your hooks have their dependencies installed and configured properly.

Version Control Your Configuration

Include your .claude/settings.json file in version control so team members can benefit from the same automation. Use .claude/settings.local.json for personal overrides.

Use Precise Matchers

Instead of running hooks on every event, use specific matchers like Edit or Write to target only relevant operations.

Document Your Hooks

Consider adding a README explaining what each hook does for team members who might not be familiar with the configuration.

Conclusion

Claude Code Hooks represent a significant step forward in AI-assisted development workflows. By automating routine maintenance tasks, they allow developers to focus on what matters most: solving problems and building great software.

The current implementation, while simple, provides immediate value through consistent code formatting and basic automation. As the feature evolves to support conditional execution and more sophisticated triggers, the possibilities for workflow optimization will only grow.

Getting Started: Try implementing a basic formatting hook in your next Claude Code project. Start with your language's standard formatter, and gradually add more automation as you become comfortable with the feature.

Next Steps:

• Set up hooks for your current projects
• Experiment with multiple commands in sequence
• Share your hook configurations with your team
• Keep an eye on the official documentation for new features

The future of AI-assisted development is not just about generating better code – it's about creating seamless, automated workflows that enhance productivity without sacrificing quality. Claude Code Hooks are an excellent step in that direction.

Have you tried Claude Code Hooks in your projects? Share your configurations and experiences in the comments below!