Use Claude Code hooks for status notifications

Claude Code hooks can signal when a session needs your attention, per the hook reference. A status widget or notification can react to those events without approving a tool call. ^[1]

Choose events for each state

The reference describes these lifecycle events. ^[1]

UserPromptSubmit fires when you submit a prompt.
PostToolUse fires after a tool succeeds.
PermissionRequest fires when Claude is about to request permission.
Stop fires when Claude finishes responding; an interrupted response does not trigger it.

Use the first two for a working indicator, PermissionRequest for an attention indicator and Stop for completion. Keep the display separate from permission-decision output. ^[1]

Add a notification hook

Follow the hook guide's desktop-notification example in your Claude settings. Choose a command for your operating system. The guide includes macOS and Linux options. ^[2]

Warning: hooks run shell commands. Read a hook before installing it, especially if it comes from another repository. ^[2]

Check the configured hooks

Inside Claude Code, inspect the configured hooks with the guide's command. ^[2]

text

/hooks

You should see your event and command listed. Trigger a notification with a harmless task before connecting the same signal to a light or desktop widget. ^[2]

The permission_prompt notification waits before firing. Use PermissionRequest when you need the signal at the permission request itself; the reference notes separate behavior for sandbox network prompts. ^[1]