Guide · Open source
How to use husky: Git hooks for JavaScript projects
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
Husky is an open-source JavaScript tool for managing Git hooks, the scripts Git runs automatically at points such as before a commit. This guide explains what husky does, what you need before starting, and how to get the project from its repository. It also covers the limits of the README, so you know what to check on the homepage.
Huskytypicode/husky · ★ 35.4k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Confirm prerequisites. Make sure Git and Node.js are installed. Check the homepage for the Node.js version it needs, since the source does not state one.
- 2Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/typicode/husky in a terminal to download the project.
- 3Open the homepage. Visit https://typicode.github.io/husky for setup steps that come after the clone.
- 4Set up your Git hooks. Follow the homepage instructions to store your hook scripts in the repository so every contributor gets them.
- 5Add your checks. Choose the checks you want to run before commits, such as linting or tests, and confirm they run as described in the official docs.
What husky does and why teams use it
Git runs hook scripts automatically at certain points in your workflow, for example before a commit is created. Husky is a tool for managing those hooks in a JavaScript project.
The project's description says it lets a project keep its hook scripts in the repository. Because the scripts live with the code, everyone who works on the project gets the same checks instead of setting them up by hand on each machine.
- Keeps Git hook scripts in the repository alongside your code
- Aims to give every contributor the same automated checks
- Written in JavaScript and aimed at Node.js or JavaScript tooling
Check the prerequisites before you start
The source lists two prerequisites: Git and Node.js. It does not state which Node.js version is required, so check the project homepage before you install anything.
If your project does not use Node.js or JavaScript tooling, the README provided here does not describe another setup, so husky may not be a good fit.
- Git, installed and working in your project
- Node.js (the minimum version is not stated in the provided README)
- A Git repository you are allowed to change
Get the husky source with git clone
The README gives one install command: clone the repository from GitHub. Run it in a terminal to download a copy of the project.
The README provided is truncated and only links to the homepage at https://typicode.github.io/husky, so the setup steps that follow the clone are not included in this source. Read the homepage for the full instructions.
- Open a terminal in the folder where you want the project
- Run the clone command below
- Open the homepage for the remaining setup steps
git clone https://github.com/typicode/huskyChoose husky for shared pre-commit checks
Husky is a good match for JavaScript or Node.js projects that want shared pre-commit checks, and for teams that prefer Git hooks stored with the code rather than configured on each machine.
It also suits developers who already use Git and want automated checks such as linting or tests before commits. The source names these uses, but it does not list specific hook names or configuration options.
- Pre-commit linting or tests for a JavaScript project
- Team projects that want the same hooks for everyone
- Projects already built around Git and Node.js
Compare husky with similar tools
The source lists three comparable projects: pre-commit, lefthook, and lint-staged. Each handles Git hooks or staged-file checks in its own way, so compare them against your project's needs.
The provided README does not say how husky compares with these tools on features, speed, or install method, so do not assume differences that the source does not state.
- pre-commit
- lefthook
- lint-staged
Know what this source does not cover
This README is truncated. It does not describe husky's install model in detail, its configuration format, or how hooks are declared and run. People who need a hook manager with no npm dependency should confirm that point on the homepage before choosing husky.
Treat this page as an orientation guide. For exact commands beyond the clone step, use the official homepage.
What people use it for
- Run linting before each commit in a JavaScript project so style problems are caught early
- Run tests before commits so broken code is less likely to reach the shared branch
- Keep Git hook scripts in the repository so new contributors get the same checks automatically
- Standardise pre-commit checks across a team that works on the same Node.js codebase
Frequently asked questions
What is husky used for?
Husky is a JavaScript tool for managing Git hooks, which are scripts Git runs automatically at points such as before a commit. It lets a project keep these hook scripts in its repository so everyone working on the code gets the same checks.
Is husky free to use?
The project is published under the MIT licence, which the source lists. Check the licence file in the repository for the full terms.
What do I need to install husky?
The source lists Git and Node.js as prerequisites. It does not state a required Node.js version, so check the official homepage before you start.
How do I get husky?
The README gives one command: git clone https://github.com/typicode/husky. The provided README is truncated, so the steps after cloning are on the homepage at https://typicode.github.io/husky.
What are alternatives to husky?
The source lists pre-commit, lefthook, and lint-staged as comparable projects. The README does not compare their features, so review each one against your project's needs.
Can I use husky if my project is not JavaScript?
The provided README does not describe other setups. Husky is aimed at JavaScript and Node.js projects, so projects outside that ecosystem should look at the homepage or the comparable tools before deciding.
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Our verdict
Husky suits JavaScript or Node.js teams that want Git hooks such as linting or tests stored with the code, so everyone runs the same checks. Pick something else if your project does not use Node.js or JavaScript tooling, or if you need a hook manager with no npm dependency, since this README does not confirm that.
Install options & downloads