diff --git a/docs/tools/pre-exec-hooks.md b/docs/tools/pre-exec-hooks.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ea2b92635
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/tools/pre-exec-hooks.md
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+# Pre-Exec Hooks
+
+Pre-exec hooks let workspace-level scripts intercept and approve/deny shell commands before they run. This provides a safety net for AI agent operations — preventing pushes to protected branches, writes to production databases, or dangerous file operations.
+
+## How It Works
+
+```
+Agent runs: git push origin develop
+         ↓
+Clawdbot exec tool → runs pre-exec hooks
+         ↓
+~/.clawdbot/hooks/safe-git.sh → receives command as JSON
+         ↓
+Hook outputs: {"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Protected branch"}
+         ↓
+Exec tool throws error instead of running command
+```
+
+## Hook Discovery
+
+Hooks are discovered from these directories (in order):
+
+1. `<workspace>/.clawdbot/hooks/` (preferred)
+2. `<workspace>/hooks/` (fallback)
+
+Any executable shell script in these directories is treated as a hook.
+
+## Hook Protocol
+
+### Input (JSON on stdin)
+
+```json
+{
+  "tool_name": "exec",
+  "tool_input": {
+    "command": "git push origin main",
+    "workdir": "/path/to/workspace",
+    "env": {}
+  }
+}
+```
+
+### Output (JSON on stdout)
+
+```json
+{
+  "decision": "approve",
+  "reason": "optional message"
+}
+```
+
+Or to deny:
+
+```json
+{
+  "decision": "deny", 
+  "reason": "🚫 Pushing to protected branches is blocked."
+}
+```
+
+## Writing a Hook
+
+Create an executable script in `.clawdbot/hooks/`:
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# .clawdbot/hooks/block-sudo.sh
+
+INPUT=$(cat)
+COMMAND=$(echo "$INPUT" | jq -r '.tool_input.command // empty')
+
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE '(^|\s)sudo\s'; then
+  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 sudo is not allowed."}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+echo '{"decision": "approve"}'
+```
+
+Make it executable:
+
+```bash
+chmod +x .clawdbot/hooks/block-sudo.sh
+```
+
+## Example Hooks
+
+Clawdbot includes example hooks in `examples/pre-exec-hooks/`:
+
+### safe-git.sh
+
+Blocks:
+- Force pushes (`--force`, `-f`)
+- Pushes to protected branches (main, develop, staging, production)
+- Remote modifications (`git remote add/remove/set-url`)
+
+### safe-db.sh
+
+Blocks:
+- Non-SELECT operations on remote databases
+- Migrations/seeds targeting staging/production environments
+
+### safe-rm.sh
+
+Blocks:
+- `rm -rf /`
+- `rm` on home/system directories
+- `rm -rf *` (wildcard deletion)
+
+## Behavior
+
+- **Sequential execution**: Hooks run in alphabetical order
+- **Short-circuit**: First "deny" stops execution
+- **Fail-open**: Timeouts and errors default to "approve"
+- **Timeout**: 10 seconds per hook (configurable)
+
+## Environment Variables
+
+Hooks receive these environment variables:
+
+| Variable | Description |
+|----------|-------------|
+| `CLAWDBOT_HOOK_NAME` | Name of the current hook |
+| `CLAWDBOT_TOOL_NAME` | Tool being invoked (`exec` or `Bash`) |
+
+## Tips
+
+1. **Use jq** for parsing JSON input
+2. **Keep hooks fast** — they run on every command
+3. **Log to stderr** — only stdout is parsed
+4. **Test locally** before deploying
+
+```bash
+# Test a hook manually
+echo '{"tool_name":"exec","tool_input":{"command":"git push origin main"}}' | .clawdbot/hooks/safe-git.sh
+```
+
+## Related
+
+- [Exec Tool](exec.md) — Shell command execution
+- [Exec Approvals](exec-approvals.md) — Allowlist-based command approval
diff --git a/examples/pre-exec-hooks/README.md b/examples/pre-exec-hooks/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..754e5aee7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/pre-exec-hooks/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+# Pre-Exec Hooks Examples
+
+Example shell scripts that intercept Bash/exec tool calls before they run.
+
+## Installation
+
+Copy hooks to your workspace:
+
+```bash
+mkdir -p .clawdbot/hooks
+cp safe-git.sh safe-db.sh .clawdbot/hooks/
+chmod +x .clawdbot/hooks/*.sh
+```
+
+## Included Hooks
+
+### safe-git.sh
+
+Protects your git workflow:
+- ❌ Blocks force pushes (`--force`, `-f`)
+- ❌ Blocks pushes to protected branches (main, develop, staging, production)
+- ❌ Blocks remote modifications
+- ✅ Allows normal git operations
+
+### safe-db.sh
+
+Protects production databases:
+- ❌ Blocks INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, DROP on remote hosts
+- ❌ Blocks migrations/seeds targeting staging/production
+- ✅ Allows SELECT queries on remote DBs
+- ✅ Allows all operations on localhost
+
+### safe-rm.sh
+
+Prevents catastrophic deletions:
+- ❌ Blocks `rm -rf /`
+- ❌ Blocks `rm` on system directories
+- ❌ Blocks `rm -rf *` (wildcard)
+- ✅ Allows normal file deletion
+
+## Testing
+
+```bash
+# Test safe-git.sh
+echo '{"tool_name":"exec","tool_input":{"command":"git push origin main"}}' | ./safe-git.sh
+# → {"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Pushing to protected branches is blocked..."}
+
+# Test safe-db.sh  
+echo '{"tool_name":"exec","tool_input":{"command":"psql -h prod.db.com -c \"DROP TABLE users\""}}' | ./safe-db.sh
+# → {"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Non-SELECT operations on remote databases are blocked."}
+```
+
+## Writing Your Own
+
+See [Pre-Exec Hooks Documentation](../../docs/tools/pre-exec-hooks.md) for the full protocol.
+
+Basic template:
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+INPUT=$(cat)
+COMMAND=$(echo "$INPUT" | jq -r '.tool_input.command // empty')
+
+# Your logic here
+if should_block "$COMMAND"; then
+  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "Your message here"}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+echo '{"decision": "approve"}'
+```
diff --git a/examples/pre-exec-hooks/safe-db.sh b/examples/pre-exec-hooks/safe-db.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..6f67ae2a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/pre-exec-hooks/safe-db.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Clawdbot PreToolUse Hook: STRICT read-only for non-local databases
+# Based on Claude Code hooks in ~/code/yieldnest/yieldnest-api/.claude/hooks/
+#
+# Only SELECT allowed on remote DBs - everything else blocked
+
+INPUT=$(cat)
+TOOL=$(echo "$INPUT" | jq -r '.tool_name // empty')
+COMMAND=$(echo "$INPUT" | jq -r '.tool_input.command // empty')
+
+# Only process Bash/exec tools
+[[ "$TOOL" != "Bash" && "$TOOL" != "exec" ]] && echo '{"decision": "approve"}' && exit 0
+
+# Known non-local DB patterns (customize as needed)
+REMOTE_HOSTS="gondola|maglev|railway|\.up\.railway\.app|staging|prod|amazonaws\.com|azure|supabase|neon\.tech|planetscale"
+
+# Check if command involves any remote database
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qiE "($REMOTE_HOSTS)"; then
+  
+  # Block any non-SELECT SQL operations
+  if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qiE "(INSERT|UPDATE|DELETE|DROP|TRUNCATE|ALTER|CREATE|GRANT|REVOKE|EXECUTE|COPY|VACUUM|ANALYZE|REINDEX|REFRESH|LOCK|COMMENT)\s"; then
+    echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Write operation blocked on remote DB. Only SELECT queries allowed on staging/prod. Use local DB for writes."}'
+    exit 0
+  fi
+  
+  # Block psql -c with non-SELECT
+  if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qiE "psql.*-c\s*['\"]?\s*(INSERT|UPDATE|DELETE|DROP|TRUNCATE|ALTER|CREATE)"; then
+    echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Write operation blocked on remote DB. Only SELECT allowed."}'
+    exit 0
+  fi
+  
+  # Block piped writes
+  if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qiE "(echo|cat|printf).*\|.*psql" && echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qiE "(INSERT|UPDATE|DELETE|DROP|CREATE|ALTER)"; then
+    echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Piped write operation blocked on remote DB."}'
+    exit 0
+  fi
+fi
+
+# Block ORM/migration commands on non-local
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qiE "(prisma|typeorm|knex|sequelize|drizzle|migrate|seed|db:push|db:seed|sync)"; then
+  if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qiE "($REMOTE_HOSTS|APP_ENV.*(prod|staging)|NODE_ENV.*(prod|staging))"; then
+    echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Migrations/seeds blocked on remote DB. Only run on local."}'
+    exit 0
+  fi
+fi
+
+# Block connection strings pointing to remote with potential writes
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qiE "(DATABASE_URL|postgres://|postgresql://|mysql://|mongodb).*($REMOTE_HOSTS)"; then
+  if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qiE "(INSERT|UPDATE|DELETE|DROP|CREATE|ALTER|migrate|seed|push|sync)"; then
+    echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Non-read operation blocked on remote DB."}'
+    exit 0
+  fi
+fi
+
+echo '{"decision": "approve"}'
diff --git a/examples/pre-exec-hooks/safe-git.sh b/examples/pre-exec-hooks/safe-git.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..ae8df7dcd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/pre-exec-hooks/safe-git.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Clawdbot PreToolUse Hook: Prevent pushes to protected branches
+# Based on Claude Code hooks in ~/code/yieldnest/yieldnest-api/.claude/hooks/
+#
+# Allows: all git operations EXCEPT pushing to protected branches
+# Protected branches: develop, production, staging, main
+
+INPUT=$(cat)
+TOOL=$(echo "$INPUT" | jq -r '.tool_name // empty')
+COMMAND=$(echo "$INPUT" | jq -r '.tool_input.command // empty')
+
+# Only process Bash/exec tools
+[[ "$TOOL" != "Bash" && "$TOOL" != "exec" ]] && echo '{"decision": "approve"}' && exit 0
+
+# Block git remote modifications  
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE 'git\s+remote\s+(add|remove|rm|set-url|rename)'; then
+  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Modifying git remotes is blocked."}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# Block force push operations
+# Match -f or --force as standalone arguments (preceded by whitespace, not as part of branch name)
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE 'git\s+push\s+(-f\s|--force\s|-f$|--force$)'; then
+  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Force push is blocked."}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE 'git\s+push\s+\S+\s+(-f\s|--force\s|-f$|--force$)'; then
+  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Force push is blocked."}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE 'git\s+push\s+\S+\s+\S+\s+(-f|--force)(\s|$)'; then
+  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Force push is blocked."}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# Block pushes to protected branches
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE '(^|\s|;|\||&&)git\s+push'; then
+  # Check for protected branch names in the push command
+  if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE 'git\s+push\s+[^\s]+\s+(develop|production|staging|main)(\s|$|:)'; then
+    echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Pushing to protected branches (develop/production/staging/main) is blocked."}'
+    exit 0
+  fi
+  
+  # Check for push to origin with protected branch
+  if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE 'git\s+push\s+origin\s+(develop|production|staging|main)'; then
+    echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 Pushing to protected branches (develop/production/staging/main) is blocked."}'
+    exit 0
+  fi
+fi
+
+echo '{"decision": "approve"}'
diff --git a/examples/pre-exec-hooks/safe-rm.sh b/examples/pre-exec-hooks/safe-rm.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..28db82c3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/pre-exec-hooks/safe-rm.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Clawdbot PreToolUse Hook: Prevent dangerous rm operations
+#
+# Blocks:
+# - rm -rf /
+# - rm on home directory
+# - rm on common system directories
+# - rm without -i on important directories
+
+INPUT=$(cat)
+TOOL=$(echo "$INPUT" | jq -r '.tool_name // empty')
+COMMAND=$(echo "$INPUT" | jq -r '.tool_input.command // empty')
+
+# Only process Bash/exec tools
+[[ "$TOOL" != "Bash" && "$TOOL" != "exec" ]] && echo '{"decision": "approve"}' && exit 0
+
+# Skip if not an rm command
+if ! echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE '(^|\s|;|\||&&)rm\s'; then
+  echo '{"decision": "approve"}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# Block rm -rf /
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE 'rm\s+.*-[a-zA-Z]*r[a-zA-Z]*f[a-zA-Z]*\s+/?(\s|$|;|\||&&)'; then
+  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 rm -rf / is blocked. Use trash instead for safe deletion."}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# Block rm on home directory
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE 'rm\s+.*(\$HOME|~|/home/[^/]+)\s*/?(\s|$|;|\||&&)'; then
+  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 rm on home directory is blocked. Use trash instead."}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# Block rm on system directories
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE 'rm\s+.*(^|\s)/(usr|bin|sbin|etc|var|opt|lib|System|Applications)\s*/?'; then
+  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 rm on system directories is blocked."}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# Block rm -rf without explicit path (could be dangerous)
+if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE 'rm\s+.*-[a-zA-Z]*r[a-zA-Z]*f[a-zA-Z]*\s*\*'; then
+  echo '{"decision": "deny", "reason": "🚫 rm -rf * is too dangerous. Be more specific or use trash."}'
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+echo '{"decision": "approve"}'
diff --git a/src/agents/bash-tools.exec.ts b/src/agents/bash-tools.exec.ts
index ad77d10e6..1f1e09bf6 100644
--- a/src/agents/bash-tools.exec.ts
+++ b/src/agents/bash-tools.exec.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import {
   resolveExecApprovals,
   resolveExecApprovalsFromFile,
 } from "../infra/exec-approvals.js";
+import { checkPreExecApproval } from "../infra/pre-exec-hooks.js";
 import { requestHeartbeatNow } from "../infra/heartbeat-wake.js";
 import { buildNodeShellCommand } from "../infra/node-shell.js";
 import {
@@ -755,6 +756,22 @@ export function createExecTool(
         throw new Error("Provide a command to start.");
       }
 
+      // Pre-exec hooks check (workspace-level command validation)
+      const workspaceDir = defaults?.cwd || process.cwd();
+      const preExecResult = await checkPreExecApproval({
+        workspaceDir,
+        toolName: "exec",
+        command: params.command,
+        workdir: params.workdir,
+        env: params.env,
+      });
+      if (!preExecResult.allowed) {
+        const hookInfo = preExecResult.hookName ? ` (hook: ${preExecResult.hookName})` : "";
+        throw new Error(
+          `Command blocked by pre-exec hook${hookInfo}: ${preExecResult.reason || "denied"}`
+        );
+      }
+
       const maxOutput = DEFAULT_MAX_OUTPUT;
       const pendingMaxOutput = DEFAULT_PENDING_MAX_OUTPUT;
       const warnings: string[] = [];
diff --git a/src/infra/pre-exec-hooks.ts b/src/infra/pre-exec-hooks.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3a80bb020
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/infra/pre-exec-hooks.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,448 @@
+/**
+ * Pre-Exec Hooks for Clawdbot
+ *
+ * Claude Code-style hook system for intercepting and approving/denying
+ * Bash/exec tool calls before they run.
+ *
+ * Hook Discovery:
+ * - <workspace>/.clawdbot/hooks/ (preferred)
+ * - <workspace>/hooks/ (fallback, for workspace compatibility)
+ *
+ * Hook Format (shell scripts):
+ * - Receive JSON on stdin: {"tool_name": "exec"|"Bash", "tool_input": {...}}
+ * - Output JSON: {"decision": "approve"|"deny", "reason": "optional message"}
+ *
+ * Reference: Claude Code hooks in ~/code/yieldnest/yieldnest-api/.claude/hooks/
+ */
+
+import { spawn } from "node:child_process";
+import fs from "node:fs";
+import path from "node:path";
+
+// ============================================================================
+// Types
+// ============================================================================
+
+export interface PreExecHookInput {
+  tool_name: string; // "exec" | "Bash"
+  tool_input: {
+    command: string;
+    workdir?: string;
+    env?: Record<string, string>;
+    [key: string]: unknown;
+  };
+}
+
+export interface PreExecHookOutput {
+  decision: "approve" | "deny";
+  reason?: string;
+}
+
+export interface PreExecHookResult {
+  decision: "approve" | "deny";
+  reason?: string;
+  hookPath?: string;
+  hookName?: string;
+  durationMs: number;
+}
+
+export interface DiscoveredHook {
+  path: string;
+  name: string;
+  source: "clawdbot-hooks" | "workspace-hooks";
+}
+
+export interface PreExecHookConfig {
+  enabled?: boolean;
+  timeoutMs?: number;
+  // Hook directories to search (relative to workspace)
+  hookDirs?: string[];
+  // Skip hooks matching these patterns
+  skipPatterns?: string[];
+}
+
+// ============================================================================
+// Constants
+// ============================================================================
+
+const DEFAULT_HOOK_DIRS = [".clawdbot/hooks", "hooks"];
+const DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS = 10_000;
+const HOOK_FILE_EXTENSIONS = [".sh", ".bash", ".zsh", ".fish", ""];
+
+// ============================================================================
+// Hook Discovery
+// ============================================================================
+
+/**
+ * Check if a file is executable
+ */
+function isExecutable(filePath: string): boolean {
+  try {
+    fs.accessSync(filePath, fs.constants.X_OK);
+    return true;
+  } catch {
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if a file looks like a shell script
+ */
+function isShellScript(filePath: string): boolean {
+  try {
+    const stat = fs.statSync(filePath);
+    if (!stat.isFile()) return false;
+
+    // Check extension
+    const ext = path.extname(filePath).toLowerCase();
+    if (HOOK_FILE_EXTENSIONS.includes(ext)) {
+      // Check shebang for extensionless files
+      if (ext === "") {
+        const content = fs.readFileSync(filePath, "utf-8");
+        const firstLine = content.split("\n")[0] || "";
+        return firstLine.startsWith("#!");
+      }
+      return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+  } catch {
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Discover all pre-exec hooks in a directory
+ */
+function discoverHooksInDir(
+  dir: string,
+  source: DiscoveredHook["source"]
+): DiscoveredHook[] {
+  const hooks: DiscoveredHook[] = [];
+
+  if (!fs.existsSync(dir)) return hooks;
+
+  try {
+    const stat = fs.statSync(dir);
+    if (!stat.isDirectory()) return hooks;
+
+    const entries = fs.readdirSync(dir, { withFileTypes: true });
+
+    for (const entry of entries) {
+      const fullPath = path.join(dir, entry.name);
+
+      if (entry.isFile() && isExecutable(fullPath) && isShellScript(fullPath)) {
+        hooks.push({
+          path: fullPath,
+          name: entry.name,
+          source,
+        });
+      }
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.warn(`[pre-exec-hooks] Failed to scan directory ${dir}:`, err);
+  }
+
+  return hooks;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Discover all pre-exec hooks for a workspace
+ */
+export function discoverPreExecHooks(
+  workspaceDir: string,
+  config?: PreExecHookConfig
+): DiscoveredHook[] {
+  const hookDirs = config?.hookDirs ?? DEFAULT_HOOK_DIRS;
+  const allHooks: DiscoveredHook[] = [];
+  const seenNames = new Set<string>();
+
+  // Process directories in order (first wins for duplicates)
+  for (const relDir of hookDirs) {
+    const absDir = path.resolve(workspaceDir, relDir);
+    const source: DiscoveredHook["source"] =
+      relDir === ".clawdbot/hooks" ? "clawdbot-hooks" : "workspace-hooks";
+
+    const hooks = discoverHooksInDir(absDir, source);
+
+    for (const hook of hooks) {
+      if (!seenNames.has(hook.name)) {
+        seenNames.add(hook.name);
+        allHooks.push(hook);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Filter by skip patterns if configured
+  if (config?.skipPatterns?.length) {
+    const patterns = config.skipPatterns.map(
+      (p) => new RegExp(p.replace(/\*/g, ".*"), "i")
+    );
+    return allHooks.filter(
+      (hook) => !patterns.some((p) => p.test(hook.name) || p.test(hook.path))
+    );
+  }
+
+  return allHooks;
+}
+
+// ============================================================================
+// Hook Execution
+// ============================================================================
+
+/**
+ * Execute a single pre-exec hook
+ */
+async function executeHook(
+  hook: DiscoveredHook,
+  input: PreExecHookInput,
+  timeoutMs: number
+): Promise<PreExecHookOutput> {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => {
+    const startTime = Date.now();
+    let settled = false;
+
+    const settle = (output: PreExecHookOutput) => {
+      if (settled) return;
+      settled = true;
+      resolve(output);
+    };
+
+    // Default to approve on timeout/error (fail-open for safety)
+    const timer = setTimeout(() => {
+      console.warn(
+        `[pre-exec-hooks] Hook ${hook.name} timed out after ${timeoutMs}ms`
+      );
+      settle({ decision: "approve", reason: "hook timed out" });
+    }, timeoutMs);
+
+    try {
+      const child = spawn(hook.path, [], {
+        cwd: path.dirname(hook.path),
+        env: {
+          ...process.env,
+          CLAWDBOT_HOOK_NAME: hook.name,
+          CLAWDBOT_TOOL_NAME: input.tool_name,
+        },
+        stdio: ["pipe", "pipe", "pipe"],
+        timeout: timeoutMs,
+      });
+
+      let stdout = "";
+      let stderr = "";
+
+      child.stdout.on("data", (data: Buffer) => {
+        stdout += data.toString();
+      });
+
+      child.stderr.on("data", (data: Buffer) => {
+        stderr += data.toString();
+      });
+
+      // Write input JSON to stdin
+      child.stdin.write(JSON.stringify(input));
+      child.stdin.end();
+
+      child.on("error", (err) => {
+        clearTimeout(timer);
+        console.warn(`[pre-exec-hooks] Hook ${hook.name} error:`, err);
+        settle({ decision: "approve", reason: `hook error: ${err.message}` });
+      });
+
+      child.on("close", (code) => {
+        clearTimeout(timer);
+        const duration = Date.now() - startTime;
+
+        if (code !== 0) {
+          console.warn(
+            `[pre-exec-hooks] Hook ${hook.name} exited with code ${code}`
+          );
+          if (stderr) {
+            console.warn(`[pre-exec-hooks] stderr: ${stderr.slice(0, 500)}`);
+          }
+          // Non-zero exit defaults to approve (fail-open)
+          settle({
+            decision: "approve",
+            reason: `hook exited with code ${code}`,
+          });
+          return;
+        }
+
+        // Parse output
+        try {
+          const trimmed = stdout.trim();
+          if (!trimmed) {
+            settle({ decision: "approve" });
+            return;
+          }
+
+          // Handle multiple lines of output - take the last JSON line
+          const lines = trimmed.split("\n").filter((l) => l.trim());
+          const lastLine = lines[lines.length - 1];
+
+          const output = JSON.parse(lastLine) as PreExecHookOutput;
+
+          // Validate decision field
+          if (output.decision !== "approve" && output.decision !== "deny") {
+            console.warn(
+              `[pre-exec-hooks] Hook ${hook.name} returned invalid decision: ${output.decision}`
+            );
+            settle({ decision: "approve", reason: "invalid hook response" });
+            return;
+          }
+
+          settle(output);
+        } catch (parseErr) {
+          console.warn(
+            `[pre-exec-hooks] Hook ${hook.name} output parse error:`,
+            parseErr
+          );
+          console.warn(`[pre-exec-hooks] stdout: ${stdout.slice(0, 500)}`);
+          settle({ decision: "approve", reason: "hook output parse error" });
+        }
+      });
+    } catch (err) {
+      clearTimeout(timer);
+      console.warn(`[pre-exec-hooks] Failed to spawn hook ${hook.name}:`, err);
+      settle({ decision: "approve", reason: "failed to spawn hook" });
+    }
+  });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Run all pre-exec hooks for a tool call
+ *
+ * Returns the aggregated result:
+ * - If any hook returns "deny", the overall result is "deny"
+ * - If all hooks return "approve", the overall result is "approve"
+ */
+export async function runPreExecHooks(
+  workspaceDir: string,
+  input: PreExecHookInput,
+  config?: PreExecHookConfig
+): Promise<PreExecHookResult> {
+  const startTime = Date.now();
+
+  // Check if hooks are enabled
+  if (config?.enabled === false) {
+    return {
+      decision: "approve",
+      reason: "hooks disabled",
+      durationMs: Date.now() - startTime,
+    };
+  }
+
+  // Discover hooks
+  const hooks = discoverPreExecHooks(workspaceDir, config);
+
+  if (hooks.length === 0) {
+    return {
+      decision: "approve",
+      reason: "no hooks found",
+      durationMs: Date.now() - startTime,
+    };
+  }
+
+  const timeoutMs = config?.timeoutMs ?? DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS;
+
+  // Run hooks sequentially (short-circuit on deny)
+  for (const hook of hooks) {
+    const result = await executeHook(hook, input, timeoutMs);
+
+    if (result.decision === "deny") {
+      return {
+        decision: "deny",
+        reason: result.reason,
+        hookPath: hook.path,
+        hookName: hook.name,
+        durationMs: Date.now() - startTime,
+      };
+    }
+  }
+
+  return {
+    decision: "approve",
+    durationMs: Date.now() - startTime,
+  };
+}
+
+// ============================================================================
+// Integration Helper
+// ============================================================================
+
+/**
+ * Check if a command should be allowed to run
+ *
+ * This is the main entry point for integrating with bash-tools.exec.ts
+ */
+export async function checkPreExecApproval(params: {
+  workspaceDir: string;
+  toolName: string;
+  command: string;
+  workdir?: string;
+  env?: Record<string, string>;
+  config?: PreExecHookConfig;
+}): Promise<{
+  allowed: boolean;
+  reason?: string;
+  hookName?: string;
+  durationMs: number;
+}> {
+  const input: PreExecHookInput = {
+    tool_name: params.toolName,
+    tool_input: {
+      command: params.command,
+      workdir: params.workdir,
+      env: params.env,
+    },
+  };
+
+  const result = await runPreExecHooks(
+    params.workspaceDir,
+    input,
+    params.config
+  );
+
+  return {
+    allowed: result.decision === "approve",
+    reason: result.reason,
+    hookName: result.hookName,
+    durationMs: result.durationMs,
+  };
+}
+
+// ============================================================================
+// CLI Testing Helper
+// ============================================================================
+
+/**
+ * Test pre-exec hooks from command line
+ */
+export async function testPreExecHooks(
+  workspaceDir: string,
+  command: string
+): Promise<void> {
+  console.log(`Testing pre-exec hooks in: ${workspaceDir}`);
+  console.log(`Command: ${command}\n`);
+
+  const hooks = discoverPreExecHooks(workspaceDir);
+  console.log(`Discovered ${hooks.length} hooks:`);
+  for (const hook of hooks) {
+    console.log(`  - ${hook.name} (${hook.source}): ${hook.path}`);
+  }
+  console.log();
+
+  const result = await checkPreExecApproval({
+    workspaceDir,
+    toolName: "Bash",
+    command,
+  });
+
+  console.log(`Result: ${result.allowed ? "APPROVED" : "DENIED"}`);
+  if (result.reason) {
+    console.log(`Reason: ${result.reason}`);
+  }
+  if (result.hookName) {
+    console.log(`Hook: ${result.hookName}`);
+  }
+  console.log(`Duration: ${result.durationMs}ms`);
+}