Git - Use Hooks for Custom Workflows and Actions

Git hooks are customizable scripts that Git can run at certain points in the version control process. They allow you to automate and customize various aspects of your workflow. Git provides both client-side and server-side hooks; you can use them to perform tasks such as code validation, sending notifications, and more.

Here are a few ways you can leverage Git hooks:

1. Pre-Commit Hook: You can use a pre-commit hook to run checks on your code before committing it. For example, you can automatically format code, check for syntax errors, or run unit tests. If any checks fail, the commit is prevented.

2. Pre-Push Hook: A pre-push hook runs just before you push your changes to a remote repository. This is useful for running additional tests or checks to ensure that your code meets certain criteria before it's shared with others.

3. Post-Receive Hook: On the server side, a post-receive hook can be used to trigger actions after a push is received. For example, you can automatically deploy code to a staging environment or send notifications to team members.

4. Custom Workflow Automation: You can create custom hooks to automate specific tasks unique to your project or organization. For example, you could have a hook that triggers documentation generation, updates version numbers, or performs other project-specific actions.

To use Git hooks:

• Navigate to the .git/hooks directory in your Git repository. You'll find sample hook scripts with .sample extensions that you can use as templates.

• Create a new hook file without the .sample extension and make it executable (e.g., chmod +x pre-commit).

• Write your custom script in the hook file to perform the desired actions.

Git hooks are a powerful way to streamline your Git workflow and ensure consistency and quality in your development process. They can help automate repetitive tasks and enforce best practices for your project.