diff --git a/pkg/agent/hook_mount.go b/pkg/agent/hook_mount.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c92145f1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/agent/hook_mount.go
@@ -0,0 +1,317 @@
+package agent
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/sipeed/picoclaw/pkg/config"
+)
+
+type hookRuntime struct {
+	initOnce sync.Once
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	initErr  error
+	mounted  []string
+}
+
+func (r *hookRuntime) setInitErr(err error) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	r.initErr = err
+	r.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func (r *hookRuntime) getInitErr() error {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	return r.initErr
+}
+
+func (r *hookRuntime) setMounted(names []string) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	r.mounted = append([]string(nil), names...)
+	r.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func (r *hookRuntime) reset(al *AgentLoop) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	names := append([]string(nil), r.mounted...)
+	r.mounted = nil
+	r.initErr = nil
+	r.initOnce = sync.Once{}
+	r.mu.Unlock()
+
+	for _, name := range names {
+		al.UnmountHook(name)
+	}
+}
+
+// BuiltinHookFactory constructs an in-process hook from config.
+type BuiltinHookFactory func(ctx context.Context, spec config.BuiltinHookConfig) (any, error)
+
+var (
+	builtinHookRegistryMu sync.RWMutex
+	builtinHookRegistry   = map[string]BuiltinHookFactory{}
+)
+
+// RegisterBuiltinHook registers a named in-process hook factory for config-driven mounting.
+func RegisterBuiltinHook(name string, factory BuiltinHookFactory) error {
+	if name == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("builtin hook name is required")
+	}
+	if factory == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("builtin hook %q factory is nil", name)
+	}
+
+	builtinHookRegistryMu.Lock()
+	defer builtinHookRegistryMu.Unlock()
+
+	if _, exists := builtinHookRegistry[name]; exists {
+		return fmt.Errorf("builtin hook %q is already registered", name)
+	}
+	builtinHookRegistry[name] = factory
+	return nil
+}
+
+func unregisterBuiltinHook(name string) {
+	if name == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	builtinHookRegistryMu.Lock()
+	delete(builtinHookRegistry, name)
+	builtinHookRegistryMu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func lookupBuiltinHook(name string) (BuiltinHookFactory, bool) {
+	builtinHookRegistryMu.RLock()
+	defer builtinHookRegistryMu.RUnlock()
+
+	factory, ok := builtinHookRegistry[name]
+	return factory, ok
+}
+
+func configureHookManagerFromConfig(hm *HookManager, cfg *config.Config) {
+	if hm == nil || cfg == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	hm.ConfigureTimeouts(
+		hookTimeoutFromMS(cfg.Hooks.Defaults.ObserverTimeoutMS),
+		hookTimeoutFromMS(cfg.Hooks.Defaults.InterceptorTimeoutMS),
+		hookTimeoutFromMS(cfg.Hooks.Defaults.ApprovalTimeoutMS),
+	)
+}
+
+func hookTimeoutFromMS(ms int) time.Duration {
+	if ms <= 0 {
+		return 0
+	}
+	return time.Duration(ms) * time.Millisecond
+}
+
+func (al *AgentLoop) ensureHooksInitialized(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if al == nil || al.cfg == nil || al.hooks == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	al.hookRuntime.initOnce.Do(func() {
+		al.hookRuntime.setInitErr(al.loadConfiguredHooks(ctx))
+	})
+
+	return al.hookRuntime.getInitErr()
+}
+
+func (al *AgentLoop) loadConfiguredHooks(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
+	if al == nil || al.cfg == nil || !al.cfg.Hooks.Enabled {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	mounted := make([]string, 0)
+	defer func() {
+		if err != nil {
+			for _, name := range mounted {
+				al.UnmountHook(name)
+			}
+			return
+		}
+		al.hookRuntime.setMounted(mounted)
+	}()
+
+	builtinNames := enabledBuiltinHookNames(al.cfg.Hooks.Builtins)
+	for _, name := range builtinNames {
+		spec := al.cfg.Hooks.Builtins[name]
+		factory, ok := lookupBuiltinHook(name)
+		if !ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("builtin hook %q is not registered", name)
+		}
+
+		hook, factoryErr := factory(ctx, spec)
+		if factoryErr != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("build builtin hook %q: %w", name, factoryErr)
+		}
+		if err := al.MountHook(HookRegistration{
+			Name:     name,
+			Priority: spec.Priority,
+			Source:   HookSourceInProcess,
+			Hook:     hook,
+		}); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("mount builtin hook %q: %w", name, err)
+		}
+		mounted = append(mounted, name)
+	}
+
+	processNames := enabledProcessHookNames(al.cfg.Hooks.Processes)
+	for _, name := range processNames {
+		spec := al.cfg.Hooks.Processes[name]
+		opts, buildErr := processHookOptionsFromConfig(spec)
+		if buildErr != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("configure process hook %q: %w", name, buildErr)
+		}
+
+		processHook, buildErr := NewProcessHook(ctx, name, opts)
+		if buildErr != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("start process hook %q: %w", name, buildErr)
+		}
+		if err := al.MountHook(HookRegistration{
+			Name:     name,
+			Priority: spec.Priority,
+			Source:   HookSourceProcess,
+			Hook:     processHook,
+		}); err != nil {
+			_ = processHook.Close()
+			return fmt.Errorf("mount process hook %q: %w", name, err)
+		}
+		mounted = append(mounted, name)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func enabledBuiltinHookNames(specs map[string]config.BuiltinHookConfig) []string {
+	if len(specs) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	names := make([]string, 0, len(specs))
+	for name, spec := range specs {
+		if spec.Enabled {
+			names = append(names, name)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+	return names
+}
+
+func enabledProcessHookNames(specs map[string]config.ProcessHookConfig) []string {
+	if len(specs) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	names := make([]string, 0, len(specs))
+	for name, spec := range specs {
+		if spec.Enabled {
+			names = append(names, name)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+	return names
+}
+
+func processHookOptionsFromConfig(spec config.ProcessHookConfig) (ProcessHookOptions, error) {
+	transport := spec.Transport
+	if transport == "" {
+		transport = "stdio"
+	}
+	if transport != "stdio" {
+		return ProcessHookOptions{}, fmt.Errorf("unsupported transport %q", transport)
+	}
+	if len(spec.Command) == 0 {
+		return ProcessHookOptions{}, fmt.Errorf("command is required")
+	}
+
+	opts := ProcessHookOptions{
+		Command: append([]string(nil), spec.Command...),
+		Dir:     spec.Dir,
+		Env:     processHookEnvFromMap(spec.Env),
+	}
+
+	observeKinds, observeEnabled, err := processHookObserveKindsFromConfig(spec.Observe)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ProcessHookOptions{}, err
+	}
+	opts.Observe = observeEnabled
+	opts.ObserveKinds = observeKinds
+
+	for _, intercept := range spec.Intercept {
+		switch intercept {
+		case "before_llm", "after_llm":
+			opts.InterceptLLM = true
+		case "before_tool", "after_tool":
+			opts.InterceptTool = true
+		case "approve_tool":
+			opts.ApproveTool = true
+		case "":
+			continue
+		default:
+			return ProcessHookOptions{}, fmt.Errorf("unsupported intercept %q", intercept)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if !opts.Observe && !opts.InterceptLLM && !opts.InterceptTool && !opts.ApproveTool {
+		return ProcessHookOptions{}, fmt.Errorf("no hook modes enabled")
+	}
+
+	return opts, nil
+}
+
+func processHookEnvFromMap(envMap map[string]string) []string {
+	if len(envMap) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(envMap))
+	for key := range envMap {
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+
+	env := make([]string, 0, len(keys))
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		env = append(env, key+"="+envMap[key])
+	}
+	return env
+}
+
+func processHookObserveKindsFromConfig(observe []string) ([]string, bool, error) {
+	if len(observe) == 0 {
+		return nil, false, nil
+	}
+
+	validKinds := validHookEventKinds()
+	normalized := make([]string, 0, len(observe))
+	for _, kind := range observe {
+		switch kind {
+		case "", "*", "all":
+			return nil, true, nil
+		default:
+			if _, ok := validKinds[kind]; !ok {
+				return nil, false, fmt.Errorf("unsupported observe event %q", kind)
+			}
+			normalized = append(normalized, kind)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if len(normalized) == 0 {
+		return nil, false, nil
+	}
+	return normalized, true, nil
+}
+
+func validHookEventKinds() map[string]struct{} {
+	kinds := make(map[string]struct{}, int(eventKindCount))
+	for kind := EventKind(0); kind < eventKindCount; kind++ {
+		kinds[kind.String()] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	return kinds
+}
diff --git a/pkg/agent/hook_mount_test.go b/pkg/agent/hook_mount_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a9d8f27c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/agent/hook_mount_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+package agent
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/sipeed/picoclaw/pkg/bus"
+	"github.com/sipeed/picoclaw/pkg/config"
+)
+
+type builtinAutoHookConfig struct {
+	Model  string `json:"model"`
+	Suffix string `json:"suffix"`
+}
+
+type builtinAutoHook struct {
+	model  string
+	suffix string
+}
+
+func (h *builtinAutoHook) BeforeLLM(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	req *LLMHookRequest,
+) (*LLMHookRequest, HookDecision, error) {
+	next := req.Clone()
+	next.Model = h.model
+	return next, HookDecision{Action: HookActionModify}, nil
+}
+
+func (h *builtinAutoHook) AfterLLM(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	resp *LLMHookResponse,
+) (*LLMHookResponse, HookDecision, error) {
+	next := resp.Clone()
+	if next.Response != nil {
+		next.Response.Content += h.suffix
+	}
+	return next, HookDecision{Action: HookActionModify}, nil
+}
+
+func newConfiguredHookLoop(t *testing.T, provider *llmHookTestProvider, hooks config.HooksConfig) *AgentLoop {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	cfg := &config.Config{
+		Agents: config.AgentsConfig{
+			Defaults: config.AgentDefaults{
+				Workspace:         t.TempDir(),
+				Model:             "test-model",
+				MaxTokens:         4096,
+				MaxToolIterations: 10,
+			},
+		},
+		Hooks: hooks,
+	}
+
+	return NewAgentLoop(cfg, bus.NewMessageBus(), provider)
+}
+
+func TestAgentLoop_ProcessDirectWithChannel_AutoMountsBuiltinHook(t *testing.T) {
+	const hookName = "test-auto-builtin-hook"
+
+	if err := RegisterBuiltinHook(hookName, func(
+		ctx context.Context,
+		spec config.BuiltinHookConfig,
+	) (any, error) {
+		var hookCfg builtinAutoHookConfig
+		if len(spec.Config) > 0 {
+			if err := json.Unmarshal(spec.Config, &hookCfg); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+		}
+		return &builtinAutoHook{
+			model:  hookCfg.Model,
+			suffix: hookCfg.Suffix,
+		}, nil
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("RegisterBuiltinHook failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		unregisterBuiltinHook(hookName)
+	})
+
+	rawCfg, err := json.Marshal(builtinAutoHookConfig{
+		Model:  "builtin-model",
+		Suffix: "|builtin",
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("json.Marshal failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	provider := &llmHookTestProvider{}
+	al := newConfiguredHookLoop(t, provider, config.HooksConfig{
+		Enabled: true,
+		Builtins: map[string]config.BuiltinHookConfig{
+			hookName: {
+				Enabled: true,
+				Config:  rawCfg,
+			},
+		},
+	})
+	defer al.Close()
+
+	resp, err := al.ProcessDirectWithChannel(context.Background(), "hello", "session-1", "cli", "direct")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ProcessDirectWithChannel failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp != "provider content|builtin" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected builtin-hooked content, got %q", resp)
+	}
+
+	provider.mu.Lock()
+	lastModel := provider.lastModel
+	provider.mu.Unlock()
+	if lastModel != "builtin-model" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected builtin model, got %q", lastModel)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAgentLoop_ProcessDirectWithChannel_AutoMountsProcessHook(t *testing.T) {
+	provider := &llmHookTestProvider{}
+	eventLog := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "events.log")
+
+	al := newConfiguredHookLoop(t, provider, config.HooksConfig{
+		Enabled: true,
+		Processes: map[string]config.ProcessHookConfig{
+			"ipc-auto": {
+				Enabled: true,
+				Command: processHookHelperCommand(),
+				Env: map[string]string{
+					"PICOCLAW_HOOK_HELPER":    "1",
+					"PICOCLAW_HOOK_MODE":      "rewrite",
+					"PICOCLAW_HOOK_EVENT_LOG": eventLog,
+				},
+				Observe:   []string{"turn_end"},
+				Intercept: []string{"before_llm", "after_llm"},
+			},
+		},
+	})
+	defer al.Close()
+
+	resp, err := al.ProcessDirectWithChannel(context.Background(), "hello", "session-1", "cli", "direct")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ProcessDirectWithChannel failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp != "provider content|ipc" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected process-hooked content, got %q", resp)
+	}
+
+	provider.mu.Lock()
+	lastModel := provider.lastModel
+	provider.mu.Unlock()
+	if lastModel != "process-model" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected process model, got %q", lastModel)
+	}
+
+	waitForFileContains(t, eventLog, "turn_end")
+}
+
+func TestAgentLoop_ProcessDirectWithChannel_InvalidConfiguredHookFails(t *testing.T) {
+	provider := &llmHookTestProvider{}
+	al := newConfiguredHookLoop(t, provider, config.HooksConfig{
+		Enabled: true,
+		Processes: map[string]config.ProcessHookConfig{
+			"bad-hook": {
+				Enabled:   true,
+				Command:   processHookHelperCommand(),
+				Intercept: []string{"not_supported"},
+			},
+		},
+	})
+	defer al.Close()
+
+	_, err := al.ProcessDirectWithChannel(context.Background(), "hello", "session-1", "cli", "direct")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected invalid configured hook error")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/agent/hook_process.go b/pkg/agent/hook_process.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e5632913d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/agent/hook_process.go
@@ -0,0 +1,511 @@
+package agent
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/sipeed/picoclaw/pkg/logger"
+)
+
+const (
+	processHookJSONRPCVersion = "2.0"
+	processHookReadBufferSize = 1024 * 1024
+	processHookCloseTimeout   = 2 * time.Second
+)
+
+type ProcessHookOptions struct {
+	Command       []string
+	Dir           string
+	Env           []string
+	Observe       bool
+	ObserveKinds  []string
+	InterceptLLM  bool
+	InterceptTool bool
+	ApproveTool   bool
+}
+
+type ProcessHook struct {
+	name string
+	opts ProcessHookOptions
+
+	cmd          *exec.Cmd
+	stdin        io.WriteCloser
+	observeKinds map[string]struct{}
+
+	writeMu sync.Mutex
+
+	pendingMu sync.Mutex
+	pending   map[uint64]chan processHookRPCMessage
+	nextID    atomic.Uint64
+
+	closed    atomic.Bool
+	done      chan struct{}
+	closeErr  error
+	closeMu   sync.Mutex
+	closeOnce sync.Once
+}
+
+type processHookRPCMessage struct {
+	JSONRPC string               `json:"jsonrpc,omitempty"`
+	ID      uint64               `json:"id,omitempty"`
+	Method  string               `json:"method,omitempty"`
+	Params  json.RawMessage      `json:"params,omitempty"`
+	Result  json.RawMessage      `json:"result,omitempty"`
+	Error   *processHookRPCError `json:"error,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type processHookRPCError struct {
+	Code    int    `json:"code"`
+	Message string `json:"message"`
+}
+
+type processHookHelloParams struct {
+	Name    string   `json:"name"`
+	Version int      `json:"version"`
+	Modes   []string `json:"modes,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type processHookDecisionResponse struct {
+	Action HookAction `json:"action"`
+	Reason string     `json:"reason,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type processHookBeforeLLMResponse struct {
+	processHookDecisionResponse
+	Request *LLMHookRequest `json:"request,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type processHookAfterLLMResponse struct {
+	processHookDecisionResponse
+	Response *LLMHookResponse `json:"response,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type processHookBeforeToolResponse struct {
+	processHookDecisionResponse
+	Call *ToolCallHookRequest `json:"call,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type processHookAfterToolResponse struct {
+	processHookDecisionResponse
+	Result *ToolResultHookResponse `json:"result,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func NewProcessHook(ctx context.Context, name string, opts ProcessHookOptions) (*ProcessHook, error) {
+	if len(opts.Command) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("process hook command is required")
+	}
+
+	cmd := exec.Command(opts.Command[0], opts.Command[1:]...)
+	cmd.Dir = opts.Dir
+	if len(opts.Env) > 0 {
+		cmd.Env = append(os.Environ(), opts.Env...)
+	}
+	stdin, err := cmd.StdinPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create process hook stdin: %w", err)
+	}
+	stdout, err := cmd.StdoutPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create process hook stdout: %w", err)
+	}
+	stderr, err := cmd.StderrPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create process hook stderr: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := cmd.Start(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("start process hook: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	ph := &ProcessHook{
+		name:         name,
+		opts:         opts,
+		cmd:          cmd,
+		stdin:        stdin,
+		observeKinds: newProcessHookObserveKinds(opts.ObserveKinds),
+		pending:      make(map[uint64]chan processHookRPCMessage),
+		done:         make(chan struct{}),
+	}
+
+	go ph.readLoop(stdout)
+	go ph.readStderr(stderr)
+	go ph.waitLoop()
+
+	helloCtx := ctx
+	if helloCtx == nil {
+		var cancel context.CancelFunc
+		helloCtx, cancel = context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+		defer cancel()
+	}
+	if err := ph.hello(helloCtx); err != nil {
+		_ = ph.Close()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return ph, nil
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) Close() error {
+	if ph == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	ph.closeOnce.Do(func() {
+		ph.closed.Store(true)
+		if ph.stdin != nil {
+			_ = ph.stdin.Close()
+		}
+
+		select {
+		case <-ph.done:
+		case <-time.After(processHookCloseTimeout):
+			if ph.cmd != nil && ph.cmd.Process != nil {
+				_ = ph.cmd.Process.Kill()
+			}
+			<-ph.done
+		}
+	})
+
+	ph.closeMu.Lock()
+	defer ph.closeMu.Unlock()
+	return ph.closeErr
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) OnEvent(ctx context.Context, evt Event) error {
+	if ph == nil || !ph.opts.Observe {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if len(ph.observeKinds) > 0 {
+		if _, ok := ph.observeKinds[evt.Kind.String()]; !ok {
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+	return ph.notify(ctx, "hook.event", evt)
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) BeforeLLM(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	req *LLMHookRequest,
+) (*LLMHookRequest, HookDecision, error) {
+	if ph == nil || !ph.opts.InterceptLLM {
+		return req, HookDecision{Action: HookActionContinue}, nil
+	}
+
+	var resp processHookBeforeLLMResponse
+	if err := ph.call(ctx, "hook.before_llm", req, &resp); err != nil {
+		return nil, HookDecision{}, err
+	}
+	if resp.Request == nil {
+		resp.Request = req
+	}
+	return resp.Request, HookDecision{Action: resp.Action, Reason: resp.Reason}, nil
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) AfterLLM(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	resp *LLMHookResponse,
+) (*LLMHookResponse, HookDecision, error) {
+	if ph == nil || !ph.opts.InterceptLLM {
+		return resp, HookDecision{Action: HookActionContinue}, nil
+	}
+
+	var result processHookAfterLLMResponse
+	if err := ph.call(ctx, "hook.after_llm", resp, &result); err != nil {
+		return nil, HookDecision{}, err
+	}
+	if result.Response == nil {
+		result.Response = resp
+	}
+	return result.Response, HookDecision{Action: result.Action, Reason: result.Reason}, nil
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) BeforeTool(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	call *ToolCallHookRequest,
+) (*ToolCallHookRequest, HookDecision, error) {
+	if ph == nil || !ph.opts.InterceptTool {
+		return call, HookDecision{Action: HookActionContinue}, nil
+	}
+
+	var resp processHookBeforeToolResponse
+	if err := ph.call(ctx, "hook.before_tool", call, &resp); err != nil {
+		return nil, HookDecision{}, err
+	}
+	if resp.Call == nil {
+		resp.Call = call
+	}
+	return resp.Call, HookDecision{Action: resp.Action, Reason: resp.Reason}, nil
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) AfterTool(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	result *ToolResultHookResponse,
+) (*ToolResultHookResponse, HookDecision, error) {
+	if ph == nil || !ph.opts.InterceptTool {
+		return result, HookDecision{Action: HookActionContinue}, nil
+	}
+
+	var resp processHookAfterToolResponse
+	if err := ph.call(ctx, "hook.after_tool", result, &resp); err != nil {
+		return nil, HookDecision{}, err
+	}
+	if resp.Result == nil {
+		resp.Result = result
+	}
+	return resp.Result, HookDecision{Action: resp.Action, Reason: resp.Reason}, nil
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) ApproveTool(ctx context.Context, req *ToolApprovalRequest) (ApprovalDecision, error) {
+	if ph == nil || !ph.opts.ApproveTool {
+		return ApprovalDecision{Approved: true}, nil
+	}
+
+	var resp ApprovalDecision
+	if err := ph.call(ctx, "hook.approve_tool", req, &resp); err != nil {
+		return ApprovalDecision{}, err
+	}
+	return resp, nil
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) hello(ctx context.Context) error {
+	modes := make([]string, 0, 4)
+	if ph.opts.Observe {
+		modes = append(modes, "observe")
+	}
+	if ph.opts.InterceptLLM {
+		modes = append(modes, "llm")
+	}
+	if ph.opts.InterceptTool {
+		modes = append(modes, "tool")
+	}
+	if ph.opts.ApproveTool {
+		modes = append(modes, "approve")
+	}
+
+	var result map[string]any
+	return ph.call(ctx, "hook.hello", processHookHelloParams{
+		Name:    ph.name,
+		Version: 1,
+		Modes:   modes,
+	}, &result)
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) notify(ctx context.Context, method string, params any) error {
+	msg := processHookRPCMessage{
+		JSONRPC: processHookJSONRPCVersion,
+		Method:  method,
+	}
+	if params != nil {
+		body, err := json.Marshal(params)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		msg.Params = body
+	}
+	return ph.send(ctx, msg)
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) call(ctx context.Context, method string, params any, out any) error {
+	if ph.closed.Load() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("process hook %q is closed", ph.name)
+	}
+
+	id := ph.nextID.Add(1)
+	respCh := make(chan processHookRPCMessage, 1)
+	ph.pendingMu.Lock()
+	ph.pending[id] = respCh
+	ph.pendingMu.Unlock()
+
+	msg := processHookRPCMessage{
+		JSONRPC: processHookJSONRPCVersion,
+		ID:      id,
+		Method:  method,
+	}
+	if params != nil {
+		body, err := json.Marshal(params)
+		if err != nil {
+			ph.removePending(id)
+			return err
+		}
+		msg.Params = body
+	}
+
+	if err := ph.send(ctx, msg); err != nil {
+		ph.removePending(id)
+		return err
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case resp, ok := <-respCh:
+		if !ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("process hook %q closed while waiting for %s", ph.name, method)
+		}
+		if resp.Error != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("process hook %q %s failed: %s", ph.name, method, resp.Error.Message)
+		}
+		if out != nil && len(resp.Result) > 0 {
+			if err := json.Unmarshal(resp.Result, out); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("decode process hook %q %s result: %w", ph.name, method, err)
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		ph.removePending(id)
+		return ctx.Err()
+	}
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) send(ctx context.Context, msg processHookRPCMessage) error {
+	body, err := json.Marshal(msg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	body = append(body, '\n')
+
+	ph.writeMu.Lock()
+	defer ph.writeMu.Unlock()
+
+	if ph.closed.Load() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("process hook %q is closed", ph.name)
+	}
+
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		_, writeErr := ph.stdin.Write(body)
+		done <- writeErr
+	}()
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-done:
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("write process hook %q message: %w", ph.name, err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return ctx.Err()
+	}
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) readLoop(stdout io.Reader) {
+	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(stdout)
+	scanner.Buffer(make([]byte, 0, 64*1024), processHookReadBufferSize)
+
+	for scanner.Scan() {
+		var msg processHookRPCMessage
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(scanner.Bytes(), &msg); err != nil {
+			logger.WarnCF("hooks", "Failed to decode process hook message", map[string]any{
+				"hook":  ph.name,
+				"error": err.Error(),
+			})
+			continue
+		}
+		if msg.ID == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		ph.pendingMu.Lock()
+		respCh, ok := ph.pending[msg.ID]
+		if ok {
+			delete(ph.pending, msg.ID)
+		}
+		ph.pendingMu.Unlock()
+		if ok {
+			respCh <- msg
+			close(respCh)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) readStderr(stderr io.Reader) {
+	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(stderr)
+	scanner.Buffer(make([]byte, 0, 16*1024), processHookReadBufferSize)
+	for scanner.Scan() {
+		logger.WarnCF("hooks", "Process hook stderr", map[string]any{
+			"hook":   ph.name,
+			"stderr": scanner.Text(),
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) waitLoop() {
+	err := ph.cmd.Wait()
+	ph.closeMu.Lock()
+	ph.closeErr = err
+	ph.closeMu.Unlock()
+	ph.failPending(err)
+	close(ph.done)
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) failPending(err error) {
+	ph.pendingMu.Lock()
+	defer ph.pendingMu.Unlock()
+
+	msg := processHookRPCMessage{
+		Error: &processHookRPCError{
+			Code:    -32000,
+			Message: "process exited",
+		},
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		msg.Error.Message = err.Error()
+	}
+
+	for id, ch := range ph.pending {
+		delete(ph.pending, id)
+		ch <- msg
+		close(ch)
+	}
+}
+
+func (ph *ProcessHook) removePending(id uint64) {
+	ph.pendingMu.Lock()
+	defer ph.pendingMu.Unlock()
+
+	if ch, ok := ph.pending[id]; ok {
+		delete(ph.pending, id)
+		close(ch)
+	}
+}
+
+func (al *AgentLoop) MountProcessHook(ctx context.Context, name string, opts ProcessHookOptions) error {
+	if al == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("agent loop is nil")
+	}
+	processHook, err := NewProcessHook(ctx, name, opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := al.MountHook(HookRegistration{
+		Name:   name,
+		Source: HookSourceProcess,
+		Hook:   processHook,
+	}); err != nil {
+		_ = processHook.Close()
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func newProcessHookObserveKinds(kinds []string) map[string]struct{} {
+	if len(kinds) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	normalized := make(map[string]struct{}, len(kinds))
+	for _, kind := range kinds {
+		if kind == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		normalized[kind] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	if len(normalized) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return normalized
+}
diff --git a/pkg/agent/hook_process_test.go b/pkg/agent/hook_process_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..50f89811f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/agent/hook_process_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,339 @@
+package agent
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/sipeed/picoclaw/pkg/providers"
+)
+
+func TestProcessHook_HelperProcess(t *testing.T) {
+	if os.Getenv("PICOCLAW_HOOK_HELPER") != "1" {
+		return
+	}
+	if err := runProcessHookHelper(); err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err.Error())
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+	os.Exit(0)
+}
+
+func TestAgentLoop_MountProcessHook_LLMAndObserver(t *testing.T) {
+	provider := &llmHookTestProvider{}
+	al, agent, cleanup := newHookTestLoop(t, provider)
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	eventLog := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "events.log")
+	if err := al.MountProcessHook(context.Background(), "ipc-llm", ProcessHookOptions{
+		Command:      processHookHelperCommand(),
+		Env:          processHookHelperEnv("rewrite", eventLog),
+		Observe:      true,
+		InterceptLLM: true,
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MountProcessHook failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	resp, err := al.runAgentLoop(context.Background(), agent, processOptions{
+		SessionKey:      "session-1",
+		Channel:         "cli",
+		ChatID:          "direct",
+		UserMessage:     "hello",
+		DefaultResponse: defaultResponse,
+		EnableSummary:   false,
+		SendResponse:    false,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("runAgentLoop failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp != "provider content|ipc" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected process-hooked llm content, got %q", resp)
+	}
+
+	provider.mu.Lock()
+	lastModel := provider.lastModel
+	provider.mu.Unlock()
+	if lastModel != "process-model" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected process model, got %q", lastModel)
+	}
+
+	waitForFileContains(t, eventLog, "turn_end")
+}
+
+func TestAgentLoop_MountProcessHook_ToolRewrite(t *testing.T) {
+	provider := &toolHookProvider{}
+	al, agent, cleanup := newHookTestLoop(t, provider)
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	al.RegisterTool(&echoTextTool{})
+	if err := al.MountProcessHook(context.Background(), "ipc-tool", ProcessHookOptions{
+		Command:       processHookHelperCommand(),
+		Env:           processHookHelperEnv("rewrite", ""),
+		InterceptTool: true,
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MountProcessHook failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	resp, err := al.runAgentLoop(context.Background(), agent, processOptions{
+		SessionKey:      "session-1",
+		Channel:         "cli",
+		ChatID:          "direct",
+		UserMessage:     "run tool",
+		DefaultResponse: defaultResponse,
+		EnableSummary:   false,
+		SendResponse:    false,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("runAgentLoop failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp != "ipc:ipc" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected rewritten process-hook tool result, got %q", resp)
+	}
+}
+
+type blockedToolProvider struct {
+	calls int
+}
+
+func (p *blockedToolProvider) Chat(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	messages []providers.Message,
+	tools []providers.ToolDefinition,
+	model string,
+	opts map[string]any,
+) (*providers.LLMResponse, error) {
+	p.calls++
+	if p.calls == 1 {
+		return &providers.LLMResponse{
+			ToolCalls: []providers.ToolCall{
+				{
+					ID:        "call-1",
+					Name:      "blocked_tool",
+					Arguments: map[string]any{},
+				},
+			},
+		}, nil
+	}
+
+	return &providers.LLMResponse{
+		Content: messages[len(messages)-1].Content,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (p *blockedToolProvider) GetDefaultModel() string {
+	return "blocked-tool-provider"
+}
+
+func TestAgentLoop_MountProcessHook_ApprovalDeny(t *testing.T) {
+	provider := &blockedToolProvider{}
+	al, agent, cleanup := newHookTestLoop(t, provider)
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	if err := al.MountProcessHook(context.Background(), "ipc-approval", ProcessHookOptions{
+		Command:     processHookHelperCommand(),
+		Env:         processHookHelperEnv("deny", ""),
+		ApproveTool: true,
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MountProcessHook failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	sub := al.SubscribeEvents(16)
+	defer al.UnsubscribeEvents(sub.ID)
+
+	resp, err := al.runAgentLoop(context.Background(), agent, processOptions{
+		SessionKey:      "session-1",
+		Channel:         "cli",
+		ChatID:          "direct",
+		UserMessage:     "run blocked tool",
+		DefaultResponse: defaultResponse,
+		EnableSummary:   false,
+		SendResponse:    false,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("runAgentLoop failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	expected := "Tool execution denied by approval hook: blocked by ipc hook"
+	if resp != expected {
+		t.Fatalf("expected %q, got %q", expected, resp)
+	}
+
+	events := collectEventStream(sub.C)
+	skippedEvt, ok := findEvent(events, EventKindToolExecSkipped)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected tool skipped event")
+	}
+	payload, ok := skippedEvt.Payload.(ToolExecSkippedPayload)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("expected ToolExecSkippedPayload, got %T", skippedEvt.Payload)
+	}
+	if payload.Reason != expected {
+		t.Fatalf("expected reason %q, got %q", expected, payload.Reason)
+	}
+}
+
+func processHookHelperCommand() []string {
+	return []string{os.Args[0], "-test.run=TestProcessHook_HelperProcess", "--"}
+}
+
+func processHookHelperEnv(mode, eventLog string) []string {
+	env := []string{
+		"PICOCLAW_HOOK_HELPER=1",
+		"PICOCLAW_HOOK_MODE=" + mode,
+	}
+	if eventLog != "" {
+		env = append(env, "PICOCLAW_HOOK_EVENT_LOG="+eventLog)
+	}
+	return env
+}
+
+func waitForFileContains(t *testing.T, path, substring string) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(3 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+		if err == nil && strings.Contains(string(data), substring) {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+
+	data, _ := os.ReadFile(path)
+	t.Fatalf("timed out waiting for %q in %s; current content: %q", substring, path, string(data))
+}
+
+func runProcessHookHelper() error {
+	mode := os.Getenv("PICOCLAW_HOOK_MODE")
+	eventLog := os.Getenv("PICOCLAW_HOOK_EVENT_LOG")
+
+	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(os.Stdin)
+	scanner.Buffer(make([]byte, 0, 64*1024), processHookReadBufferSize)
+	encoder := json.NewEncoder(os.Stdout)
+
+	for scanner.Scan() {
+		var msg processHookRPCMessage
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(scanner.Bytes(), &msg); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if msg.ID == 0 {
+			if msg.Method == "hook.event" && eventLog != "" {
+				var evt map[string]any
+				if err := json.Unmarshal(msg.Params, &evt); err == nil {
+					if rawKind, ok := evt["Kind"].(float64); ok {
+						kind := EventKind(rawKind)
+						_ = os.WriteFile(eventLog, []byte(kind.String()+"\n"), 0o644)
+					}
+				}
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+
+		result, rpcErr := handleProcessHookRequest(mode, msg)
+		resp := processHookRPCMessage{
+			JSONRPC: processHookJSONRPCVersion,
+			ID:      msg.ID,
+		}
+		if rpcErr != nil {
+			resp.Error = rpcErr
+		} else if result != nil {
+			body, err := json.Marshal(result)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			resp.Result = body
+		} else {
+			resp.Result = []byte("{}")
+		}
+
+		if err := encoder.Encode(resp); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
+	return scanner.Err()
+}
+
+func handleProcessHookRequest(mode string, msg processHookRPCMessage) (any, *processHookRPCError) {
+	switch msg.Method {
+	case "hook.hello":
+		return map[string]any{"ok": true}, nil
+	case "hook.before_llm":
+		if mode != "rewrite" {
+			return map[string]any{"action": HookActionContinue}, nil
+		}
+		var req map[string]any
+		_ = json.Unmarshal(msg.Params, &req)
+		req["model"] = "process-model"
+		return map[string]any{
+			"action":  HookActionModify,
+			"request": req,
+		}, nil
+	case "hook.after_llm":
+		if mode != "rewrite" {
+			return map[string]any{"action": HookActionContinue}, nil
+		}
+		var resp map[string]any
+		_ = json.Unmarshal(msg.Params, &resp)
+		if rawResponse, ok := resp["response"].(map[string]any); ok {
+			if content, ok := rawResponse["content"].(string); ok {
+				rawResponse["content"] = content + "|ipc"
+			}
+		}
+		return map[string]any{
+			"action":   HookActionModify,
+			"response": resp,
+		}, nil
+	case "hook.before_tool":
+		if mode != "rewrite" {
+			return map[string]any{"action": HookActionContinue}, nil
+		}
+		var call map[string]any
+		_ = json.Unmarshal(msg.Params, &call)
+		rawArgs, ok := call["arguments"].(map[string]any)
+		if !ok || rawArgs == nil {
+			rawArgs = map[string]any{}
+		}
+		rawArgs["text"] = "ipc"
+		call["arguments"] = rawArgs
+		return map[string]any{
+			"action": HookActionModify,
+			"call":   call,
+		}, nil
+	case "hook.after_tool":
+		if mode != "rewrite" {
+			return map[string]any{"action": HookActionContinue}, nil
+		}
+		var result map[string]any
+		_ = json.Unmarshal(msg.Params, &result)
+		if rawResult, ok := result["result"].(map[string]any); ok {
+			if forLLM, ok := rawResult["for_llm"].(string); ok {
+				rawResult["for_llm"] = "ipc:" + forLLM
+			}
+		}
+		return map[string]any{
+			"action": HookActionModify,
+			"result": result,
+		}, nil
+	case "hook.approve_tool":
+		if mode == "deny" {
+			return ApprovalDecision{
+				Approved: false,
+				Reason:   "blocked by ipc hook",
+			}, nil
+		}
+		return ApprovalDecision{Approved: true}, nil
+	default:
+		return nil, &processHookRPCError{
+			Code:    -32601,
+			Message: "method not found",
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/agent/hooks.go b/pkg/agent/hooks.go
index 74af542fa..c1ef58ffd 100644
--- a/pkg/agent/hooks.go
+++ b/pkg/agent/hooks.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package agent
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"sort"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
@@ -30,8 +31,8 @@ const (
 )
 
 type HookDecision struct {
-	Action HookAction
-	Reason string
+	Action HookAction `json:"action"`
+	Reason string     `json:"reason,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (d HookDecision) normalizedAction() HookAction {
@@ -42,20 +43,29 @@ func (d HookDecision) normalizedAction() HookAction {
 }
 
 type ApprovalDecision struct {
-	Approved bool
-	Reason   string
+	Approved bool   `json:"approved"`
+	Reason   string `json:"reason,omitempty"`
 }
 
+type HookSource uint8
+
+const (
+	HookSourceInProcess HookSource = iota
+	HookSourceProcess
+)
+
 type HookRegistration struct {
 	Name     string
 	Priority int
+	Source   HookSource
 	Hook     any
 }
 
 func NamedHook(name string, hook any) HookRegistration {
 	return HookRegistration{
-		Name: name,
-		Hook: hook,
+		Name:   name,
+		Source: HookSourceInProcess,
+		Hook:   hook,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -78,14 +88,14 @@ type ToolApprover interface {
 }
 
 type LLMHookRequest struct {
-	Meta             EventMeta
-	Model            string
-	Messages         []providers.Message
-	Tools            []providers.ToolDefinition
-	Options          map[string]any
-	Channel          string
-	ChatID           string
-	GracefulTerminal bool
+	Meta             EventMeta                  `json:"meta"`
+	Model            string                     `json:"model"`
+	Messages         []providers.Message        `json:"messages,omitempty"`
+	Tools            []providers.ToolDefinition `json:"tools,omitempty"`
+	Options          map[string]any             `json:"options,omitempty"`
+	Channel          string                     `json:"channel,omitempty"`
+	ChatID           string                     `json:"chat_id,omitempty"`
+	GracefulTerminal bool                       `json:"graceful_terminal,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (r *LLMHookRequest) Clone() *LLMHookRequest {
@@ -100,11 +110,11 @@ func (r *LLMHookRequest) Clone() *LLMHookRequest {
 }
 
 type LLMHookResponse struct {
-	Meta     EventMeta
-	Model    string
-	Response *providers.LLMResponse
-	Channel  string
-	ChatID   string
+	Meta     EventMeta              `json:"meta"`
+	Model    string                 `json:"model"`
+	Response *providers.LLMResponse `json:"response,omitempty"`
+	Channel  string                 `json:"channel,omitempty"`
+	ChatID   string                 `json:"chat_id,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (r *LLMHookResponse) Clone() *LLMHookResponse {
@@ -117,11 +127,11 @@ func (r *LLMHookResponse) Clone() *LLMHookResponse {
 }
 
 type ToolCallHookRequest struct {
-	Meta      EventMeta
-	Tool      string
-	Arguments map[string]any
-	Channel   string
-	ChatID    string
+	Meta      EventMeta      `json:"meta"`
+	Tool      string         `json:"tool"`
+	Arguments map[string]any `json:"arguments,omitempty"`
+	Channel   string         `json:"channel,omitempty"`
+	ChatID    string         `json:"chat_id,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (r *ToolCallHookRequest) Clone() *ToolCallHookRequest {
@@ -134,11 +144,11 @@ func (r *ToolCallHookRequest) Clone() *ToolCallHookRequest {
 }
 
 type ToolApprovalRequest struct {
-	Meta      EventMeta
-	Tool      string
-	Arguments map[string]any
-	Channel   string
-	ChatID    string
+	Meta      EventMeta      `json:"meta"`
+	Tool      string         `json:"tool"`
+	Arguments map[string]any `json:"arguments,omitempty"`
+	Channel   string         `json:"channel,omitempty"`
+	ChatID    string         `json:"chat_id,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (r *ToolApprovalRequest) Clone() *ToolApprovalRequest {
@@ -151,13 +161,13 @@ func (r *ToolApprovalRequest) Clone() *ToolApprovalRequest {
 }
 
 type ToolResultHookResponse struct {
-	Meta      EventMeta
-	Tool      string
-	Arguments map[string]any
-	Result    *tools.ToolResult
-	Duration  time.Duration
-	Channel   string
-	ChatID    string
+	Meta      EventMeta         `json:"meta"`
+	Tool      string            `json:"tool"`
+	Arguments map[string]any    `json:"arguments,omitempty"`
+	Result    *tools.ToolResult `json:"result,omitempty"`
+	Duration  time.Duration     `json:"duration"`
+	Channel   string            `json:"channel,omitempty"`
+	ChatID    string            `json:"chat_id,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (r *ToolResultHookResponse) Clone() *ToolResultHookResponse {
@@ -215,9 +225,25 @@ func (hm *HookManager) Close() {
 			hm.eventBus.Unsubscribe(hm.sub.ID)
 		}
 		<-hm.done
+		hm.closeAllHooks()
 	})
 }
 
+func (hm *HookManager) ConfigureTimeouts(observer, interceptor, approval time.Duration) {
+	if hm == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if observer > 0 {
+		hm.observerTimeout = observer
+	}
+	if interceptor > 0 {
+		hm.interceptorTimeout = interceptor
+	}
+	if approval > 0 {
+		hm.approvalTimeout = approval
+	}
+}
+
 func (hm *HookManager) Mount(reg HookRegistration) error {
 	if hm == nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("hook manager is nil")
@@ -232,6 +258,9 @@ func (hm *HookManager) Mount(reg HookRegistration) error {
 	hm.mu.Lock()
 	defer hm.mu.Unlock()
 
+	if existing, ok := hm.hooks[reg.Name]; ok {
+		closeHookIfPossible(existing.Hook)
+	}
 	hm.hooks[reg.Name] = reg
 	hm.rebuildOrdered()
 	return nil
@@ -245,6 +274,9 @@ func (hm *HookManager) Unmount(name string) {
 	hm.mu.Lock()
 	defer hm.mu.Unlock()
 
+	if existing, ok := hm.hooks[name]; ok {
+		closeHookIfPossible(existing.Hook)
+	}
 	delete(hm.hooks, name)
 	hm.rebuildOrdered()
 }
@@ -425,6 +457,9 @@ func (hm *HookManager) rebuildOrdered() {
 		hm.ordered = append(hm.ordered, reg)
 	}
 	sort.SliceStable(hm.ordered, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if hm.ordered[i].Source != hm.ordered[j].Source {
+			return hm.ordered[i].Source < hm.ordered[j].Source
+		}
 		if hm.ordered[i].Priority == hm.ordered[j].Priority {
 			return hm.ordered[i].Name < hm.ordered[j].Name
 		}
@@ -441,6 +476,17 @@ func (hm *HookManager) snapshotHooks() []HookRegistration {
 	return snapshot
 }
 
+func (hm *HookManager) closeAllHooks() {
+	hm.mu.Lock()
+	defer hm.mu.Unlock()
+
+	for name, reg := range hm.hooks {
+		closeHookIfPossible(reg.Hook)
+		delete(hm.hooks, name)
+	}
+	hm.ordered = nil
+}
+
 func (hm *HookManager) runObserver(name string, observer EventObserver, evt Event) {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), hm.observerTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
@@ -749,3 +795,15 @@ func cloneToolResult(result *tools.ToolResult) *tools.ToolResult {
 	}
 	return &cloned
 }
+
+func closeHookIfPossible(hook any) {
+	closer, ok := hook.(io.Closer)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	if err := closer.Close(); err != nil {
+		logger.WarnCF("hooks", "Failed to close hook", map[string]any{
+			"error": err.Error(),
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/agent/hooks_test.go b/pkg/agent/hooks_test.go
index 6607b5fe7..e6471e9cc 100644
--- a/pkg/agent/hooks_test.go
+++ b/pkg/agent/hooks_test.go
@@ -47,6 +47,39 @@ func newHookTestLoop(
 	}
 }
 
+func TestHookManager_SortsInProcessBeforeProcess(t *testing.T) {
+	hm := NewHookManager(nil)
+	defer hm.Close()
+
+	if err := hm.Mount(HookRegistration{
+		Name:     "process",
+		Priority: -10,
+		Source:   HookSourceProcess,
+		Hook:     struct{}{},
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("mount process hook: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := hm.Mount(HookRegistration{
+		Name:     "in-process",
+		Priority: 100,
+		Source:   HookSourceInProcess,
+		Hook:     struct{}{},
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("mount in-process hook: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	ordered := hm.snapshotHooks()
+	if len(ordered) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 hooks, got %d", len(ordered))
+	}
+	if ordered[0].Name != "in-process" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected in-process hook first, got %q", ordered[0].Name)
+	}
+	if ordered[1].Name != "process" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected process hook second, got %q", ordered[1].Name)
+	}
+}
+
 type llmHookTestProvider struct {
 	mu        sync.Mutex
 	lastModel string
diff --git a/pkg/agent/loop.go b/pkg/agent/loop.go
index a85abcb60..41dfdff5f 100644
--- a/pkg/agent/loop.go
+++ b/pkg/agent/loop.go
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ type AgentLoop struct {
 	transcriber    voice.Transcriber
 	cmdRegistry    *commands.Registry
 	mcp            mcpRuntime
+	hookRuntime    hookRuntime
 	steering       *steeringQueue
 	mu             sync.RWMutex
 	activeTurnMu   sync.RWMutex
@@ -122,6 +123,7 @@ func NewAgentLoop(
 		steering:    newSteeringQueue(parseSteeringMode(cfg.Agents.Defaults.SteeringMode)),
 	}
 	al.hooks = NewHookManager(eventBus)
+	configureHookManagerFromConfig(al.hooks, cfg)
 
 	return al
 }
@@ -259,6 +261,9 @@ func registerSharedTools(
 func (al *AgentLoop) Run(ctx context.Context) error {
 	al.running.Store(true)
 
+	if err := al.ensureHooksInitialized(ctx); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	if err := al.ensureMCPInitialized(ctx); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -773,6 +778,9 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) ReloadProviderAndConfig(
 
 	al.mu.Unlock()
 
+	al.hookRuntime.reset(al)
+	configureHookManagerFromConfig(al.hooks, cfg)
+
 	// Close old provider after releasing the lock
 	// This prevents blocking readers while closing
 	if oldProvider, ok := extractProvider(oldRegistry); ok {
@@ -987,6 +995,9 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) ProcessDirectWithChannel(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	content, sessionKey, channel, chatID string,
 ) (string, error) {
+	if err := al.ensureHooksInitialized(ctx); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
 	if err := al.ensureMCPInitialized(ctx); err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
@@ -1008,6 +1019,13 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) ProcessHeartbeat(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	content, channel, chatID string,
 ) (string, error) {
+	if err := al.ensureHooksInitialized(ctx); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if err := al.ensureMCPInitialized(ctx); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
 	agent := al.GetRegistry().GetDefaultAgent()
 	if agent == nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("no default agent for heartbeat")
diff --git a/pkg/agent/steering.go b/pkg/agent/steering.go
index 77c2e0c17..55ee45ad1 100644
--- a/pkg/agent/steering.go
+++ b/pkg/agent/steering.go
@@ -183,6 +183,12 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) Continue(ctx context.Context, sessionKey, channel, chatID s
 	if active := al.GetActiveTurn(); active != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("turn %s is still active", active.TurnID)
 	}
+	if err := al.ensureHooksInitialized(ctx); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if err := al.ensureMCPInitialized(ctx); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
 
 	steeringMsgs := al.dequeueSteeringMessages()
 	if len(steeringMsgs) == 0 {
diff --git a/pkg/config/config.go b/pkg/config/config.go
index a3720b656..a7c44c825 100644
--- a/pkg/config/config.go
+++ b/pkg/config/config.go
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ type Config struct {
 	Providers ProvidersConfig `json:"providers,omitempty"`
 	ModelList []ModelConfig   `json:"model_list"` // New model-centric provider configuration
 	Gateway   GatewayConfig   `json:"gateway"`
+	Hooks     HooksConfig     `json:"hooks,omitempty"`
 	Tools     ToolsConfig     `json:"tools"`
 	Heartbeat HeartbeatConfig `json:"heartbeat"`
 	Devices   DevicesConfig   `json:"devices"`
@@ -90,6 +91,36 @@ type Config struct {
 	BuildInfo BuildInfo `json:"build_info,omitempty"`
 }
 
+type HooksConfig struct {
+	Enabled   bool                         `json:"enabled"`
+	Defaults  HookDefaultsConfig           `json:"defaults,omitempty"`
+	Builtins  map[string]BuiltinHookConfig `json:"builtins,omitempty"`
+	Processes map[string]ProcessHookConfig `json:"processes,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type HookDefaultsConfig struct {
+	ObserverTimeoutMS    int `json:"observer_timeout_ms,omitempty"`
+	InterceptorTimeoutMS int `json:"interceptor_timeout_ms,omitempty"`
+	ApprovalTimeoutMS    int `json:"approval_timeout_ms,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type BuiltinHookConfig struct {
+	Enabled  bool            `json:"enabled"`
+	Priority int             `json:"priority,omitempty"`
+	Config   json.RawMessage `json:"config,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type ProcessHookConfig struct {
+	Enabled   bool              `json:"enabled"`
+	Priority  int               `json:"priority,omitempty"`
+	Transport string            `json:"transport,omitempty"`
+	Command   []string          `json:"command,omitempty"`
+	Dir       string            `json:"dir,omitempty"`
+	Env       map[string]string `json:"env,omitempty"`
+	Observe   []string          `json:"observe,omitempty"`
+	Intercept []string          `json:"intercept,omitempty"`
+}
+
 // BuildInfo contains build-time version information
 type BuildInfo struct {
 	Version   string `json:"version"`
diff --git a/pkg/config/config_test.go b/pkg/config/config_test.go
index c5bdbf3c3..caab8a152 100644
--- a/pkg/config/config_test.go
+++ b/pkg/config/config_test.go
@@ -391,6 +391,22 @@ func TestDefaultConfig_ExecAllowRemoteEnabled(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestDefaultConfig_HooksDefaults(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := DefaultConfig()
+	if !cfg.Hooks.Enabled {
+		t.Fatal("DefaultConfig().Hooks.Enabled should be true")
+	}
+	if cfg.Hooks.Defaults.ObserverTimeoutMS != 500 {
+		t.Fatalf("ObserverTimeoutMS = %d, want 500", cfg.Hooks.Defaults.ObserverTimeoutMS)
+	}
+	if cfg.Hooks.Defaults.InterceptorTimeoutMS != 5000 {
+		t.Fatalf("InterceptorTimeoutMS = %d, want 5000", cfg.Hooks.Defaults.InterceptorTimeoutMS)
+	}
+	if cfg.Hooks.Defaults.ApprovalTimeoutMS != 60000 {
+		t.Fatalf("ApprovalTimeoutMS = %d, want 60000", cfg.Hooks.Defaults.ApprovalTimeoutMS)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestLoadConfig_OpenAIWebSearchDefaultsTrueWhenUnset(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := t.TempDir()
 	configPath := filepath.Join(dir, "config.json")
@@ -460,6 +476,88 @@ func TestLoadConfig_WebToolsProxy(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestLoadConfig_HooksProcessConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	configPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config.json")
+	configJSON := `{
+  "hooks": {
+    "processes": {
+      "review-gate": {
+        "enabled": true,
+        "transport": "stdio",
+        "command": ["uvx", "picoclaw-hook-reviewer"],
+        "dir": "/tmp/hooks",
+        "env": {
+          "HOOK_MODE": "rewrite"
+        },
+        "observe": ["turn_start", "turn_end"],
+        "intercept": ["before_tool", "approve_tool"]
+      }
+    },
+    "builtins": {
+      "audit": {
+        "enabled": true,
+        "priority": 5,
+        "config": {
+          "label": "audit"
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}`
+	if err := os.WriteFile(configPath, []byte(configJSON), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("os.WriteFile() error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	cfg, err := LoadConfig(configPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadConfig() error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	processCfg, ok := cfg.Hooks.Processes["review-gate"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected review-gate process hook")
+	}
+	if !processCfg.Enabled {
+		t.Fatal("expected review-gate process hook to be enabled")
+	}
+	if processCfg.Transport != "stdio" {
+		t.Fatalf("Transport = %q, want stdio", processCfg.Transport)
+	}
+	if len(processCfg.Command) != 2 || processCfg.Command[0] != "uvx" {
+		t.Fatalf("Command = %v", processCfg.Command)
+	}
+	if processCfg.Dir != "/tmp/hooks" {
+		t.Fatalf("Dir = %q, want /tmp/hooks", processCfg.Dir)
+	}
+	if processCfg.Env["HOOK_MODE"] != "rewrite" {
+		t.Fatalf("HOOK_MODE = %q, want rewrite", processCfg.Env["HOOK_MODE"])
+	}
+	if len(processCfg.Observe) != 2 || processCfg.Observe[1] != "turn_end" {
+		t.Fatalf("Observe = %v", processCfg.Observe)
+	}
+	if len(processCfg.Intercept) != 2 || processCfg.Intercept[1] != "approve_tool" {
+		t.Fatalf("Intercept = %v", processCfg.Intercept)
+	}
+
+	builtinCfg, ok := cfg.Hooks.Builtins["audit"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected audit builtin hook")
+	}
+	if !builtinCfg.Enabled {
+		t.Fatal("expected audit builtin hook to be enabled")
+	}
+	if builtinCfg.Priority != 5 {
+		t.Fatalf("Priority = %d, want 5", builtinCfg.Priority)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(string(builtinCfg.Config), `"audit"`) {
+		t.Fatalf("Config = %s", string(builtinCfg.Config))
+	}
+	if cfg.Hooks.Defaults.ApprovalTimeoutMS != 60000 {
+		t.Fatalf("ApprovalTimeoutMS = %d, want 60000", cfg.Hooks.Defaults.ApprovalTimeoutMS)
+	}
+}
+
 // TestDefaultConfig_DMScope verifies the default dm_scope value
 // TestDefaultConfig_SummarizationThresholds verifies summarization defaults
 func TestDefaultConfig_SummarizationThresholds(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/pkg/config/defaults.go b/pkg/config/defaults.go
index 5e6b89a4c..bfb54fb97 100644
--- a/pkg/config/defaults.go
+++ b/pkg/config/defaults.go
@@ -177,6 +177,14 @@ func DefaultConfig() *Config {
 				AllowFrom:      FlexibleStringSlice{},
 			},
 		},
+		Hooks: HooksConfig{
+			Enabled: true,
+			Defaults: HookDefaultsConfig{
+				ObserverTimeoutMS:    500,
+				InterceptorTimeoutMS: 5000,
+				ApprovalTimeoutMS:    60000,
+			},
+		},
 		Providers: ProvidersConfig{
 			OpenAI: OpenAIProviderConfig{WebSearch: true},
 		},