claude-hooks-settings

Claude Hooks And Settings

Use this skill for Claude Code settings and customization work: settings JSON, hooks, CLAUDE.md or rules loading, custom agents, tool allow/deny rules, output styles, workflows, setting sources, plugin-provided customizations, safe-mode comparisons, and bare-mode explicit context.

From this skill directory, the plugin root is ../... Read ../../references/hooks-settings.md for hook lifecycle, setting-source boundaries, and safety details.

First Move

Inspect the target files and scope before editing:

• user settings: machine-wide, do not commit;
• project settings: shareable only when the repo intentionally wants them;
• local project settings: machine-local, normally ignored;
• plugin settings: bundled with a plugin and active only when enabled;
• managed policy settings: admin-controlled and may override local changes.

Use CLI evidence when behavior differs from expectation:

python3 ../../scripts/claude_code_inspector.py --commands auto-mode --json
claude auto-mode config
claude auto-mode defaults

Hook Design

Use hooks only when deterministic lifecycle automation is needed. Prefer narrow events and matchers:

• tool gating or audit: PreToolUse, PermissionRequest, PermissionDenied;
• post-action validation: PostToolUse, PostToolUseFailure, PostToolBatch;
• session startup/shutdown: SessionStart, SessionEnd;
• worktree hooks: WorktreeCreate, WorktreeRemove;
• config or instructions tracking: ConfigChange, InstructionsLoaded.

Keep hook scripts deterministic, reviewable, and low-output. Do not log full prompts, secrets, or broad environment dumps.

Tool Permissions

Use --tools, --allowedTools, and --disallowedTools for runtime scope:

claude --tools "Read,Grep,Glob"
claude --allowedTools "Bash(git *) Edit"
claude --disallowedTools "Bash(rm *)"

For durable rules, edit the appropriate settings file after confirming scope. Do not use hooks as the only enforcement mechanism for high-risk actions.

Settings Editing

Before editing:

1. Read the existing JSON and nearby project guidance.
2. Identify whether the file is committed or local-only.
3. Preserve unrelated keys.
4. Keep secrets out of JSON. Reference env vars or ignored local files.
5. Validate JSON syntax after the patch.

When troubleshooting, compare normal startup with --safe-mode and --bare before deleting customizations.

Safety Boundaries

• Do not add broad command hooks or HTTP hooks without a clear trust boundary.
• Do not store bearer tokens, API keys, OAuth secrets, cookies, or keychain values in settings or hook logs.
• Do not disable managed policy or weaken permissions just to make a workflow pass.
• Do not commit local-only machine settings unless the user explicitly asks and the repo policy allows it.

Completion Standard

Report the setting scope, files changed, hook events/matchers/rules, validation command, safe-mode or bare-mode comparison when used, and any residual risk.