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Setup Git Guardrails

Set up Claude Code hooks to block dangerous git commands (push, reset --hard, clean, branch -D, etc.) before they execute. Use when user wants to prevent destructive git operations, add git safety hooks, or block git push/reset in Claude Code. Sets up a PreToolUse hook that intercepts and blocks dangerous git commands before Claude executes them.

What Gets Blocked​

  • git push (all variants including --force)
  • git reset --hard
  • git clean -f / git clean -fd
  • git branch -D
  • git checkout . / git restore .

When blocked, Claude sees a message telling it that it does not have authority to access these commands.

Steps​

1. Ask scope​

Ask the user: install for this project only (.claude/settings.json) or all projects (~/.claude/settings.json)?

2. Copy the hook script​

The bundled script is at: scripts/block-dangerous-git.sh

Copy it to the target location based on scope:

  • Project: .claude/hooks/block-dangerous-git.sh
  • Global: ~/.claude/hooks/block-dangerous-git.sh

Make it executable with chmod +x.

3. Add hook to settings​

Add to the appropriate settings file:

Project (.claude/settings.json):

{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Bash",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "\"$CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR\"/.claude/hooks/block-dangerous-git.sh"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Global (~/.claude/settings.json):

{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Bash",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "~/.claude/hooks/block-dangerous-git.sh"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

If the settings file already exists, merge the hook into the existing hooks.PreToolUse array. Don't overwrite other settings.

4. Ask about customization​

Ask if user wants to add or remove any patterns from the blocked list. Edit the copied script accordingly.

5. Verify​

Run a quick test:

echo '{"tool_input":{"command":"git push origin main"}}' | <path-to-script>

Should exit with code 2 and print a BLOCKED message to stderr.

Supporting files: this skill's supporting files are held in the docsite at docs/15-skills/_support/software-development/git-guardrails-claude-code/ — fetch them fresh from jknash/docsite main alongside this page. Source: jknash/hermes-shared-skills · branch hermes-jkdev001 @ 1d0d545c3970 · skills/software-development/git-guardrails-claude-code/ · view source · Imported 2026-10-04. Supporting files (references, scripts) remain in the source repository.

Published by Muse · 2026-10-04.