Cursor Hooks: Automate Code Quality with Custom Scripts

Learn to create Cursor hooks that run custom scripts in response to AI agent actions. Build formatting, linting, testing, and validation automation.

Cursor Hooks are a powerful automation framework that runs custom scripts in response to AI agent actions.

What Are Hooks?

Hooks intercept AI agent actions (file edits, command execution) and run your custom scripts automatically. For example, format code after every AI edit or run linting after file creation.

Creating Your First Hook

A simple hook that formats code after every agent edit:

1. Create a hook configuration in your project
2. Define the trigger event (file edited by agent)
3. Specify the script to run (e.g., prettier --write)
4. Make the script executable

Hook Types

• Post-edit hooks: Run after AI modifies a file
• Pre-commit hooks: Validate changes before committing
• Post-create hooks: Run when AI creates new files
• Custom event hooks: Trigger on specific agent actions

Advanced: Type-Safe Automation with TypeScript

Build production-ready hooks using TypeScript and Bun for type safety, better error handling, and complex automation logic.

Use Cases

• Auto-format code after every AI edit
• Run linting and fix issues automatically
• Execute tests related to changed files
• Update import statements
• Validate security patterns
• Update documentation

Best Practices

• Keep hooks fast to avoid interrupting workflow
• Handle errors gracefully (don't break the editing flow)
• Log hook actions for debugging
• Share hooks via Git for team consistency
• Start simple and add complexity as needed

Integration with GitButler

Combine hooks with GitButler for automatic smart commits and branch creation from Cursor sessions.