Git Hooks are a built-in feature of Git that allow developers to automate tasks and enforce policies throughout the
Git workflow. By writing custom scripts that Git can execute at key points in the development process, Git Hooks
enable developers to streamline their workflow, ensure code quality, and enforce project-specific policies. In this
guide, we will explore Git Hooks and show you how to use them effectively.
What are Git Hooks?
Git Hooks are scripts that Git can execute automatically when certain events occur, such as before or after a commit,
push, or merge. There are several types of Git Hooks, each with a specific purpose. Pre-commit hooks, for example, can
be used to enforce code formatting or run tests before a commit is made. Pre-push hooks can be used to prevent pushes to
certain branches or run additional tests before pushing. Post-merge hooks can be used to perform actions after a merge
is completed, such as updating dependencies or generating documentation.
These hook scripts are only limited by a developer's imagination.
Some example hook scripts include:
pre-commit: Check the commit message for spelling errors.
pre-receive: Enforce project coding standards.
post-commit: Email/SMS team members of a new commit.
post-receive: Push the code to production.
How to Use Git Hooks:
To use Git Hooks, you simply need to create executable scripts in the .git/hooks directory of your Git
repository. The
scripts should be named after the Git Hook event they correspond to (e.g., pre-commit,
pre-push, post-merge) and have
the appropriate permissions (chmod +x). Once the scripts are in place, Git will automatically execute them
at the
corresponding events.
Here's a full list of hooks you can attach scripts to:
When writing Git Hooks, it's important to keep a few things in mind:
Git Hooks should be fast and reliable. Slow or unreliable scripts can slow down the Git workflow and cause
errors.
Git Hooks should be well-documented. Make sure to include comments in your scripts so that other developers
can
understand what they do.
Git Hooks should be non-intrusive. Avoid scripts that modify code or files without the user's consent.
Conclusion
Git Hooks are a powerful tool for automating tasks and enforcing policies in Git. By writing custom scripts that Git can
execute at key points in the development process, developers can streamline their workflow and ensure code quality. With
the tips and techniques outlined in this guide, you'll be able to use Git Hooks effectively in your own projects.
Git Build Hook Maven Plugin
- A maven plugin for managing client side (local) git configuration and installing hooks for those working on your project.
Git::Hooks - A
framework for implementing Git (and Gerrit) hooks.
git-pre-commit-hook
- Hook that blocks bad commits. Useful for Python-development.
.githooker
- Eases setup, maintenance, handling of git-hooks across
teams/projects for virtually all languages + common git-hook-ish
tasks as declarative configuration inside your repo!
GJira
- Automatically add Jira task ID and story ID to the body of the
commit message.
Commit lint
- Commitlint helps your team adhere to a commit convention.