Hook Command Has Field

Hook handlers with "type": "command" MUST include a "command" field containing the shell command to execute. Without it, Claude Code has no command to run and the hook fails silently.

Antipatterns

• Command handler without command field. Defining "type": "command" with a "matcher" or "prompt" field but forgetting the "command" field. Claude Code has nothing to execute.
• Wrong field name. Using "cmd", "script", or "exec" instead of "command". Only the exact key "command" is recognized.
• Empty command string. Setting "command": "" — technically present but produces no useful execution.

Pass / Fail

Pass

{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [
      { "type": "command", "command": "/bin/bash .claude/hooks/lint.sh" }
    ]
  }
}

Fail

{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [
      { "type": "command", "matcher": "Edit" }
    ]
  }
}

Limitations

Checks that at least one "command" field exists in the settings file. Does not verify the command is a valid executable or that it pairs correctly with a "type": "command" handler.