@google/gemini-cli-core 0.26.0-preview.4 → 0.27.0-nightly.20260126.cb772a5b7

package/dist/docs/hooks/reference.md

@@ -1,178 +1,322 @@
-# Hooks Reference
+# Hooks reference
 
 This document provides the technical specification for Gemini CLI hooks,
-including the JSON schemas for input and output, exit code behaviors, and the
-stable model API.
+including JSON schemas and API details.
 
-## Communication Protocol
+## Global hook mechanics
 
-Hooks communicate with Gemini CLI via standard streams and exit codes:
+- **Communication**: `stdin` for Input (JSON), `stdout` for Output (JSON), and
+  `stderr` for logs and feedback.
+- **Exit codes**:
+  - `0`: Success. `stdout` is parsed as JSON. **Preferred for all logic.**
+  - `2`: System Block. The action is blocked; `stderr` is used as the rejection
+    reason.
+  - `Other`: Warning. A non-fatal failure occurred; the CLI continues with a
+    warning.
+- **Silence is Mandatory**: Your script **must not** print any plain text to
+  `stdout` other than the final JSON.
 
-- **Input**: Gemini CLI sends a JSON object to the hook's `stdin`.
-- **Output**: The hook sends a JSON object (or plain text) to `stdout`.
-- **Exit Codes**: Used to signal success or blocking errors.
+---
+
+## Configuration schema
+
+Hooks are defined in `settings.json` within the `hooks` object. Each event
+(e.g., `BeforeTool`) contains an array of **hook definitions**.
+
+### Hook definition
+
+| Field        | Type      | Required | Description                                                                             |
+| :----------- | :-------- | :------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `matcher`    | `string`  | No       | A regex (for tools) or exact string (for lifecycle) to filter when the hook runs.       |
+| `sequential` | `boolean` | No       | If `true`, hooks in this group run one after another. If `false`, they run in parallel. |
+| `hooks`      | `array`   | **Yes**  | An array of **hook configurations**.                                                    |
 
-### Exit Code Behavior
+### Hook configuration
 
-| Exit Code | Meaning            | Behavior                                                                                        |
-| :-------- | :----------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| `0`       | **Success**        | `stdout` is parsed as JSON. If parsing fails, it's treated as a `systemMessage`.                |
-| `2`       | **Blocking Error** | Interrupts the current operation. `stderr` is shown to the agent (for tool events) or the user. |
-| Other     | **Warning**        | Execution continues. `stderr` is logged as a non-blocking warning.                              |
+| Field         | Type     | Required  | Description                                                          |
+| :------------ | :------- | :-------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `type`        | `string` | **Yes**   | The execution engine. Currently only `"command"` is supported.       |
+| `command`     | `string` | **Yes\*** | The shell command to execute. (Required when `type` is `"command"`). |
+| `name`        | `string` | No        | A friendly name for identifying the hook in logs and CLI commands.   |
+| `timeout`     | `number` | No        | Execution timeout in milliseconds (default: 60000).                  |
+| `description` | `string` | No        | A brief explanation of the hook's purpose.                           |
 
 ---
 
-## Input Schema (`stdin`)
-
-Every hook receives a base JSON object. Extra fields are added depending on the
-specific event.
-
-### Base Fields (All Events)
-
-| Field             | Type     | Description                                           |
-| :---------------- | :------- | :---------------------------------------------------- |
-| `session_id`      | `string` | Unique identifier for the current CLI session.        |
-| `transcript_path` | `string` | Path to the session's JSON transcript (if available). |
-| `cwd`             | `string` | The current working directory.                        |
-| `hook_event_name` | `string` | The name of the firing event (e.g., `BeforeTool`).    |
-| `timestamp`       | `string` | ISO 8601 timestamp of the event.                      |
-
-### Event-Specific Fields
-
-#### Tool Events (`BeforeTool`, `AfterTool`)
-
-- `tool_name`: (`string`) The internal name of the tool (e.g., `write_file`,
-  `run_shell_command`).
-- `tool_input`: (`object`) The arguments passed to the tool.
-- `tool_response`: (`object`, **AfterTool only**) The raw output from the tool
-  execution.
-- `mcp_context`: (`object`, **optional**) Present only for MCP tool invocations.
-  Contains server identity information:
-  - `server_name`: (`string`) The configured name of the MCP server.
-  - `tool_name`: (`string`) The original tool name from the MCP server.
-  - `command`: (`string`, optional) For stdio transport, the command used to
-    start the server.
-  - `args`: (`string[]`, optional) For stdio transport, the command arguments.
-  - `cwd`: (`string`, optional) For stdio transport, the working directory.
-  - `url`: (`string`, optional) For SSE/HTTP transport, the server URL.
-  - `tcp`: (`string`, optional) For WebSocket transport, the TCP address.
-
-#### Agent Events (`BeforeAgent`, `AfterAgent`)
-
-- `prompt`: (`string`) The user's submitted prompt.
-- `prompt_response`: (`string`, **AfterAgent only**) The final response text
-  from the model.
-- `stop_hook_active`: (`boolean`, **AfterAgent only**) Indicates if a stop hook
-  is already handling a continuation.
-
-#### Model Events (`BeforeModel`, `AfterModel`, `BeforeToolSelection`)
-
-- `llm_request`: (`LLMRequest`) A stable representation of the outgoing request.
-  See [Stable Model API](#stable-model-api).
-- `llm_response`: (`LLMResponse`, **AfterModel only**) A stable representation
-  of the incoming response.
-
-#### Session & Notification Events
-
-- `source`: (`startup` | `resume` | `clear`, **SessionStart only**) The trigger
-  source.
-- `reason`: (`exit` | `clear` | `logout` | `prompt_input_exit` | `other`,
-  **SessionEnd only**) The reason for session end.
-- `trigger`: (`manual` | `auto`, **PreCompress only**) What triggered the
-  compression event.
-- `notification_type`: (`ToolPermission`, **Notification only**) The type of
-  notification being fired.
-- `message`: (`string`, **Notification only**) The notification message.
-- `details`: (`object`, **Notification only**) Payload-specific details for the
-  notification.
+## Base input schema
+
+All hooks receive these common fields via `stdin`:
+
+```typescript
+{
+  "session_id": string,      // Unique ID for the current session
+  "transcript_path": string, // Absolute path to session transcript JSON
+  "cwd": string,             // Current working directory
+  "hook_event_name": string, // The firing event (e.g. "BeforeTool")
+  "timestamp": string        // ISO 8601 execution time
+}
+```
 
 ---
 
-## Output Schema (`stdout`)
+## Common output fields
 
-If the hook exits with `0`, the CLI attempts to parse `stdout` as JSON.
+Most hooks support these fields in their `stdout` JSON:
 
-### Common Output Fields
+| Field            | Type      | Description                                                                    |
+| :--------------- | :-------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `systemMessage`  | `string`  | Displayed immediately to the user in the terminal.                             |
+| `suppressOutput` | `boolean` | If `true`, hides internal hook metadata from logs/telemetry.                   |
+| `continue`       | `boolean` | If `false`, stops the entire agent loop immediately.                           |
+| `stopReason`     | `string`  | Displayed to the user when `continue` is `false`.                              |
+| `decision`       | `string`  | `"allow"` or `"deny"` (alias `"block"`). Specific impact depends on the event. |
+| `reason`         | `string`  | The feedback/error message provided when a `decision` is `"deny"`.             |
+
+---
 
-| Field                | Type      | Description                                                                            |
-| :------------------- | :-------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| `decision`           | `string`  | One of: `allow`, `deny`, `block`, `ask`, `approve`.                                    |
-| `reason`             | `string`  | Explanation shown to the **agent** when a decision is `deny` or `block`.               |
-| `systemMessage`      | `string`  | Message displayed in Gemini CLI terminal to provide warning or context to the **user** |
-| `continue`           | `boolean` | If `false`, immediately terminates the agent loop for this turn.                       |
-| `stopReason`         | `string`  | Message shown to the user when `continue` is `false`.                                  |
-| `suppressOutput`     | `boolean` | If `true`, the hook execution is hidden from the CLI transcript.                       |
-| `hookSpecificOutput` | `object`  | Container for event-specific data (see below).                                         |
+## Tool hooks
+
+### Matchers and tool names
+
+For `BeforeTool` and `AfterTool` events, the `matcher` field in your settings is
+compared against the name of the tool being executed.
+
+- **Built-in Tools**: You can match any built-in tool (e.g., `read_file`,
+  `run_shell_command`). See the [Tools Reference](/docs/tools) for a full list
+  of available tool names.
+- **MCP Tools**: Tools from MCP servers follow the naming pattern
+  `mcp__<server_name>__<tool_name>`.
+- **Regex Support**: Matchers support regular expressions (e.g.,
+  `matcher: "read_.*"` matches all file reading tools).
+
+### `BeforeTool`
+
+Fires before a tool is invoked. Used for argument validation, security checks,
+and parameter rewriting.
+
+- **Input Fields**:
+  - `tool_name`: (`string`) The name of the tool being called.
+  - `tool_input`: (`object`) The raw arguments generated by the model.
+  - `mcp_context`: (`object`) Optional metadata for MCP-based tools.
+- **Relevant Output Fields**:
+  - `decision`: Set to `"deny"` (or `"block"`) to prevent the tool from
+    executing.
+  - `reason`: Required if denied. This text is sent **to the agent** as a tool
+    error, allowing it to respond or retry.
+  - `hookSpecificOutput.tool_input`: An object that **merges with and
+    overrides** the model's arguments before execution.
+  - `continue`: Set to `false` to **kill the entire agent loop** immediately.
+- **Exit Code 2 (Block Tool)**: Prevents execution. Uses `stderr` as the
+  `reason` sent to the agent. **The turn continues.**
+
+### `AfterTool`
+
+Fires after a tool executes. Used for result auditing, context injection, or
+hiding sensitive output from the agent.
+
+- **Input Fields**:
+  - `tool_name`: (`string`)
+  - `tool_input`: (`object`) The original arguments.
+  - `tool_response`: (`object`) The result containing `llmContent`,
+    `returnDisplay`, and optional `error`.
+  - `mcp_context`: (`object`)
+- **Relevant Output Fields**:
+  - `decision`: Set to `"deny"` to hide the real tool output from the agent.
+  - `reason`: Required if denied. This text **replaces** the tool result sent
+    back to the model.
+  - `hookSpecificOutput.additionalContext`: Text that is **appended** to the
+    tool result for the agent.
+  - `continue`: Set to `false` to **kill the entire agent loop** immediately.
+- **Exit Code 2 (Block Result)**: Hides the tool result. Uses `stderr` as the
+  replacement content sent to the agent. **The turn continues.**
 
-### `hookSpecificOutput` Reference
+---
 
-| Field               | Supported Events                           | Description                                                                       |
-| :------------------ | :----------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| `additionalContext` | `SessionStart`, `BeforeAgent`, `AfterTool` | Appends text directly to the agent's context.                                     |
-| `llm_request`       | `BeforeModel`                              | A `Partial<LLMRequest>` to override parameters of the outgoing call.              |
-| `llm_response`      | `BeforeModel`                              | A **full** `LLMResponse` to bypass the model and provide a synthetic result.      |
-| `llm_response`      | `AfterModel`                               | A `Partial<LLMResponse>` to modify the model's response before the agent sees it. |
-| `toolConfig`        | `BeforeToolSelection`                      | Object containing `mode` (`AUTO`/`ANY`/`NONE`) and `allowedFunctionNames`.        |
+## Agent hooks
+
+### `BeforeAgent`
+
+Fires after a user submits a prompt, but before the agent begins planning. Used
+for prompt validation or injecting dynamic context.
+
+- **Input Fields**:
+  - `prompt`: (`string`) The original text submitted by the user.
+- **Relevant Output Fields**:
+  - `hookSpecificOutput.additionalContext`: Text that is **appended** to the
+    prompt for this turn only.
+  - `decision`: Set to `"deny"` to block the turn and **discard the user's
+    message** (it will not appear in history).
+  - `continue`: Set to `false` to block the turn but **save the message to
+    history**.
+  - `reason`: Required if denied or stopped.
+- **Exit Code 2 (Block Turn)**: Aborts the turn and erases the prompt from
+  context. Same as `decision: "deny"`.
+
+### `AfterAgent`
+
+Fires once per turn after the model generates its final response. Primary use
+case is response validation and automatic retries.
+
+- **Input Fields**:
+  - `prompt`: (`string`) The user's original request.
+  - `prompt_response`: (`string`) The final text generated by the agent.
+  - `stop_hook_active`: (`boolean`) Indicates if this hook is already running as
+    part of a retry sequence.
+- **Relevant Output Fields**:
+  - `decision`: Set to `"deny"` to **reject the response** and force a retry.
+  - `reason`: Required if denied. This text is sent **to the agent as a new
+    prompt** to request a correction.
+  - `continue`: Set to `false` to **stop the session** without retrying.
+  - `clearContext`: If `true`, clears conversation history (LLM memory) while
+    preserving UI display.
+- **Exit Code 2 (Retry)**: Rejects the response and triggers an automatic retry
+  turn using `stderr` as the feedback prompt.
 
 ---
 
-## Stable Model API
+## Model hooks
+
+### `BeforeModel`
+
+Fires before sending a request to the LLM. Operates on a stable, SDK-agnostic
+request format.
+
+- **Input Fields**:
+  - `llm_request`: (`object`) Contains `model`, `messages`, and `config`
+    (generation params).
+- **Relevant Output Fields**:
+  - `hookSpecificOutput.llm_request`: An object that **overrides** parts of the
+    outgoing request (e.g., changing models or temperature).
+  - `hookSpecificOutput.llm_response`: A **Synthetic Response** object. If
+    provided, the CLI skips the LLM call entirely and uses this as the response.
+  - `decision`: Set to `"deny"` to block the request and abort the turn.
+- **Exit Code 2 (Block Turn)**: Aborts the turn and skips the LLM call. Uses
+  `stderr` as the error message.
+
+### `BeforeToolSelection`
+
+Fires before the LLM decides which tools to call. Used to filter the available
+toolset or force specific tool modes.
+
+- **Input Fields**:
+  - `llm_request`: (`object`) Same format as `BeforeModel`.
+- **Relevant Output Fields**:
+  - `hookSpecificOutput.toolConfig.mode`: (`"AUTO" | "ANY" | "NONE"`)
+    - `"NONE"`: Disables all tools (Wins over other hooks).
+    - `"ANY"`: Forces at least one tool call.
+  - `hookSpecificOutput.toolConfig.allowedFunctionNames`: (`string[]`) Whitelist
+    of tool names.
+- **Union Strategy**: Multiple hooks' whitelists are **combined**.
+- **Limitations**: Does **not** support `decision`, `continue`, or
+  `systemMessage`.
+
+### `AfterModel`
+
+Fires immediately after an LLM response chunk is received. Used for real-time
+redaction or PII filtering.
+
+- **Input Fields**:
+  - `llm_request`: (`object`) The original request.
+  - `llm_response`: (`object`) The model's response (or a single chunk during
+    streaming).
+- **Relevant Output Fields**:
+  - `hookSpecificOutput.llm_response`: An object that **replaces** the model's
+    response chunk.
+  - `decision`: Set to `"deny"` to discard the response chunk and block the
+    turn.
+  - `continue`: Set to `false` to **kill the entire agent loop** immediately.
+- **Note on Streaming**: Fired for **every chunk** generated by the model.
+  Modifying the response only affects the current chunk.
+- **Exit Code 2 (Block Response)**: Aborts the turn and discards the model's
+  output. Uses `stderr` as the error message.
+
+---
 
-Gemini CLI uses a decoupled format for model interactions to ensure hooks remain
-stable even if the underlying Gemini SDK changes.
+## Lifecycle & system hooks
 
-### `LLMRequest` Object
+### `SessionStart`
 
-Used in `BeforeModel` and `BeforeToolSelection`.
+Fires on application startup, resuming a session, or after a `/clear` command.
+Used for loading initial context.
 
-> 💡 **Note**: In v1, model hooks are primarily text-focused. Non-text parts
-> (like images or function calls) provided in the `content` array will be
-> simplified to their string representation by the translator.
+- **Input fields**:
+  - `source`: (`"startup" | "resume" | "clear"`)
+- **Relevant output fields**:
+  - `hookSpecificOutput.additionalContext`: (`string`)
+    - **Interactive**: Injected as the first turn in history.
+    - **Non-interactive**: Prepended to the user's prompt.
+  - `systemMessage`: Shown at the start of the session.
+- **Advisory only**: `continue` and `decision` fields are **ignored**. Startup
+  is never blocked.
+
+### `SessionEnd`
+
+Fires when the CLI exits or a session is cleared. Used for cleanup or final
+telemetry.
+
+- **Input Fields**:
+  - `reason`: (`"exit" | "clear" | "logout" | "prompt_input_exit" | "other"`)
+- **Relevant Output Fields**:
+  - `systemMessage`: Displayed to the user during shutdown.
+- **Best Effort**: The CLI **will not wait** for this hook to complete and
+  ignores all flow-control fields (`continue`, `decision`).
+
+### `Notification`
+
+Fires when the CLI emits a system alert (e.g., Tool Permissions). Used for
+external logging or cross-platform alerts.
+
+- **Input Fields**:
+  - `notification_type`: (`"ToolPermission"`)
+  - `message`: Summary of the alert.
+  - `details`: JSON object with alert-specific metadata (e.g., tool name, file
+    path).
+- **Relevant Output Fields**:
+  - `systemMessage`: Displayed alongside the system alert.
+- **Observability Only**: This hook **cannot** block alerts or grant permissions
+  automatically. Flow-control fields are ignored.
+
+### `PreCompress`
+
+Fires before the CLI summarizes history to save tokens. Used for logging or
+state saving.
+
+- **Input Fields**:
+  - `trigger`: (`"auto" | "manual"`)
+- **Relevant Output Fields**:
+  - `systemMessage`: Displayed to the user before compression.
+- **Advisory Only**: Fired asynchronously. It **cannot** block or modify the
+  compression process. Flow-control fields are ignored.
+
+---
+
+## Stable Model API
+
+Gemini CLI uses these structures to ensure hooks don't break across SDK updates.
+
+**LLMRequest**:
 
 ```typescript
 {
   "model": string,
   "messages": Array<{
     "role": "user" | "model" | "system",
-    "content": string | Array<{ "type": string, [key: string]: any }>
+    "content": string // Non-text parts are filtered out for hooks
   }>,
-  "config"?: {
-    "temperature"?: number,
-    "maxOutputTokens"?: number,
-    "topP"?: number,
-    "topK"?: number
-  },
-  "toolConfig"?: {
-    "mode"?: "AUTO" | "ANY" | "NONE",
-    "allowedFunctionNames"?: string[]
-  }
+  "config": { "temperature": number, ... },
+  "toolConfig": { "mode": string, "allowedFunctionNames": string[] }
 }
-```
 
-### `LLMResponse` Object
+```
 
-Used in `AfterModel` and as a synthetic response in `BeforeModel`.
+**LLMResponse**:
 
 ```typescript
 {
-  "text"?: string,
   "candidates": Array<{
-    "content": {
-      "role": "model",
-      "parts": string[]
-    },
-    "finishReason"?: "STOP" | "MAX_TOKENS" | "SAFETY" | "RECITATION" | "OTHER",
-    "index"?: number,
-    "safetyRatings"?: Array<{
-      "category": string,
-      "probability": string,
-      "blocked"?: boolean
-    }>
+    "content": { "role": "model", "parts": string[] },
+    "finishReason": string
   }>,
-  "usageMetadata"?: {
-    "promptTokenCount"?: number,
-    "candidatesTokenCount"?: number,
-    "totalTokenCount"?: number
-  }
+  "usageMetadata": { "totalTokenCount": number }
 }
 ```