Learn how to Implement Git hooks

Learn how to Implement Git hooks

Git hooks are simple scripts that run automatically at specific points in the Git workflow. Below, we’ll walk through how to create, enable, and use Git hooks for common tasks.

Step-by-Step Guide to Implement Git Hooks

1. Create a Git Hook

1. Navigate to Git Hooks Directory: Inside your Git repository, go to the .git/hooks/ directory:

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   cd /path/to/repo/.git/hooks/
   

2. Create a New Hook: Create a new script file with the appropriate name for the hook. For example:

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   touch pre-commit
   

3. Make the Hook Executable: Make the hook executable:

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   chmod +x pre-commit
   

4. Edit the Hook Script: Open the hook script for editing:

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   nano pre-commit
   

5. Add Logic to the Hook: Add custom commands inside the script. For example, a simple pre-commit hook to run tests:

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   #!/bin/sh
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   npm test
   

2. Enable the Git Hook

The hook will now execute whenever the specified Git event occurs (e.g., git commit).

Example Git Hooks

1. pre-commit: Runs before a commit is made.

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   #!/bin/sh
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   npm run lint && npm test
   

2. post-merge: Runs after a merge is completed.

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   #!/bin/sh
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   echo "Merge completed successfully."
   

3. pre-push: Runs before changes are pushed to the remote repository.

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   #!/bin/sh
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   echo "Running pre-push hook..."
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   npm run build
   

4. post-receive (Server-Side): Runs after a push event is received on the server.

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   #!/bin/sh
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   echo "New code pushed to repository."
   

Testing and Debugging Git Hooks

1. Run the Hook Manually: To test a hook manually, use the following command:

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   ./pre-commit
   

2. Debugging: Add debug statements to the script to better understand what's going wrong:

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   #!/bin/sh
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   echo "Running pre-commit hook at $(date)" >> ~/hook_debug.log
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   npm test
   

Best Practices

1. Consistency: Ensure all hooks follow a consistent naming convention and logic.

2. Error Handling: Implement error handling to prevent silent failures.

3. Documentation: Document the purpose and usage of each hook for team members.