diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/create-release-packages.sh b/.github/workflows/scripts/create-release-packages.sh
index 425de8660..96d7c64cd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/create-release-packages.sh
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/create-release-packages.sh
@@ -34,7 +34,17 @@ rewrite_paths() {
   sed -E \
     -e 's@(/?)memory/@.specify/memory/@g' \
     -e 's@(/?)scripts/@.specify/scripts/@g' \
-    -e 's@(/?)templates/@.specify/templates/@g'
+    -e 's@(/?)templates/@.specify/templates/@g' \
+    -e 's@(/?)hooks/@.specify/hooks/@g'
+}
+
+get_hook_extension() {
+  local script_variant=$1
+  if [[ "$script_variant" == "ps" ]]; then
+    echo ".ps1"
+  else
+    echo ""
+  fi
 }
 
 generate_commands() {
@@ -57,8 +67,9 @@ generate_commands() {
       script_command="(Missing script command for $script_variant)"
     fi
     
-    # Replace {SCRIPT} placeholder with the script command
-    body=$(printf '%s\n' "$file_content" | sed "s|{SCRIPT}|${script_command}|g")
+    # Replace {SCRIPT} placeholder with the script command and {HOOK_EXT} with extension
+    local ext=$(get_hook_extension "$script_variant")
+    body=$(printf '%s\n' "$file_content" | sed "s|{SCRIPT}|${script_command}|g" | sed "s|{HOOK_EXT}|${ext}|g")
     
     # Remove the scripts: section from frontmatter while preserving YAML structure
     body=$(printf '%s\n' "$body" | awk '
@@ -113,6 +124,25 @@ build_variant() {
   fi
   
   [[ -d templates ]] && { mkdir -p "$SPEC_DIR/templates"; find templates -type f -not -path "templates/commands/*" -exec cp --parents {} "$SPEC_DIR"/ \; ; echo "Copied templates -> .specify/templates"; }
+
+  # Copy hooks selectively based on script variant
+  if [[ -d hooks ]]; then
+    mkdir -p "$SPEC_DIR/hooks"
+    # Always copy README.md
+    [[ -f hooks/README.md ]] && cp hooks/README.md "$SPEC_DIR/hooks/"
+
+    case $script in
+      sh)
+        # Copy bash hook samples (without .ps1)
+        find hooks -maxdepth 1 -type f -name "*.sample" ! -name "*.ps1.sample" -exec cp {} "$SPEC_DIR/hooks/" \;
+        ;;
+      ps)
+        # Copy PowerShell hook samples (.ps1.sample)
+        find hooks -maxdepth 1 -type f -name "*.ps1.sample" -exec cp {} "$SPEC_DIR/hooks/" \;
+        ;;
+    esac
+    echo "Copied hooks -> .specify/hooks"
+  fi
   # Inject variant into plan-template.md within .specify/templates if present
   local plan_tpl="$base_dir/.specify/templates/plan-template.md"
   if [[ -f "$plan_tpl" ]]; then
@@ -122,8 +152,9 @@ build_variant() {
     if [[ -n $script_command ]]; then
       # Always prefix with .specify/ for plan usage
       script_command=".specify/$script_command"
-      # Replace {SCRIPT} placeholder with the script command and __AGENT__ with agent name
-      substituted=$(sed "s|{SCRIPT}|${script_command}|g" "$plan_tpl" | tr -d '\r' | sed "s|__AGENT__|${agent}|g")
+      # Replace {SCRIPT} placeholder with the script command, {HOOK_EXT} with extension, and __AGENT__ with agent name
+      local ext=$(get_hook_extension "$script")
+      substituted=$(sed "s|{SCRIPT}|${script_command}|g" "$plan_tpl" | tr -d '\r' | sed "s|__AGENT__|${agent}|g" | sed "s|{HOOK_EXT}|${ext}|g")
       # Strip YAML frontmatter from plan template output (keep body only)
       stripped=$(printf '%s\n' "$substituted" | awk 'BEGIN{fm=0;dash=0} /^---$/ {dash++; if(dash==1){fm=1; next} else if(dash==2){fm=0; next}} {if(!fm) print}')
       printf '%s\n' "$stripped" > "$plan_tpl"
diff --git a/hooks/README.md b/hooks/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e9c920ef7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hooks/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,205 @@
+# Specify Hooks
+
+This directory contains Git-style hook script samples that customize the `/specify` command workflow. All hooks are optional and follow Git's naming conventions for familiar, intuitive usage.
+
+## Hook Activation
+
+Hooks are provided as `.sample` files and must be activated by removing the `.sample` extension:
+
+**Unix/Linux/macOS:**
+```bash
+# Activate bash hook (example: prepare-feature-num)
+cp .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num.sample .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num
+chmod +x .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num
+```
+
+**Windows PowerShell:**
+```powershell
+# Activate PowerShell hook
+Copy-Item .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num.ps1.sample .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num.ps1
+```
+
+**Cross-platform support:** The system automatically detects and uses the appropriate hook format (`.ps1` for Windows, executable scripts for Unix).
+
+## Available Hooks (Git-Style Naming)
+
+### `pre-specify` - Pre-processing Hook
+- **When**: Before the entire specify workflow begins
+- **Purpose**: Validation, setup, or preprocessing tasks
+- **Arguments**: `$1` = feature description
+- **Exit codes**: Non-zero exit codes show warnings but don't stop execution
+
+**Example uses:**
+- Validate feature description format and length
+- Check prerequisites or dependencies
+- Set up external resources or authenticate
+
+### `prepare-feature-num` - Feature Number Preparation Hook
+- **When**: Before auto-incrementing feature number (similar to Git's `prepare-commit-msg`)
+- **Purpose**: Provide custom feature numbering from external sources
+- **Arguments**: `$1` = feature description
+- **Output**: Integer feature number (stdout)
+- **Fallback**: If hook fails or outputs nothing, auto-increment is used
+
+**Example uses:**
+- Fetch feature number from external spec server
+- Create GitHub issue and use issue number
+- Implement custom numbering schemes
+
+### `post-checkout` - Post-Checkout Hook
+- **When**: After branch creation and checkout (matches Git's `post-checkout`)
+- **Purpose**: Setup tasks after branch creation but before spec writing
+- **Arguments**:
+  - `$1` = feature description
+  - `$2` = feature number
+  - `$3` = branch name
+  - `$4` = spec file path
+- **Environment**: `BRANCH_NAME`, `SPEC_FILE`, `FEATURE_NUM` also available
+- **Exit codes**: Non-zero exit codes show warnings but don't stop execution
+
+**Example uses:**
+- Initialize additional project files
+- Set up branch-specific configurations
+- Create directory structures
+- Send branch creation notifications
+
+### `post-specify` - Post-Specification Hook
+- **When**: After spec file is completely written (true post-specify)
+- **Purpose**: Final integration tasks and notifications
+- **Arguments**:
+  - `$1` = feature description
+  - `$2` = feature number
+  - `$3` = branch name
+  - `$4` = spec file path
+- **Environment**: `BRANCH_NAME`, `SPEC_FILE`, `FEATURE_NUM` also available
+- **Exit codes**: Non-zero exit codes show warnings but don't stop execution
+
+**Example uses:**
+- Create GitHub issues linking to completed specs
+- Send completion notifications
+- Trigger CI/CD pipelines for spec review
+- Update external tracking systems
+
+## Hook Examples
+
+### Custom Feature Numbering from Server
+
+**Bash version:**
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num
+FEATURE_DESC="$1"
+FEATURE_NUMBER=$(curl -s "$SPEC_SERVER/api/next-number")
+echo "$FEATURE_NUMBER"
+```
+
+**PowerShell version:**
+```powershell
+#!/usr/bin/env pwsh
+# .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num.ps1
+param([string]$FeatureDescription)
+$featureNumber = Invoke-RestMethod -Uri "$env:SPEC_SERVER/api/next-number"
+Write-Output $featureNumber
+```
+
+### GitHub Issue for Feature Number
+
+**Bash version:**
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num
+FEATURE_DESC="$1"
+ISSUE_URL=$(gh issue create --title "Spec: $FEATURE_DESC" --body "Specification development")
+ISSUE_NUMBER=$(echo "$ISSUE_URL" | grep -o '[0-9]*$')
+echo "$ISSUE_NUMBER"
+```
+
+**PowerShell version:**
+```powershell
+#!/usr/bin/env pwsh
+# .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num.ps1
+param([string]$FeatureDescription)
+$issueUrl = gh issue create --title "Spec: $FeatureDescription" --body "Specification development"
+$issueNumber = [regex]::Match($issueUrl, '\d+$').Value
+Write-Output $issueNumber
+```
+
+### Post-Checkout Setup
+
+**Bash version:**
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# .specify/hooks/post-checkout
+FEATURE_DESC="$1"
+FEATURE_NUM="$2"
+BRANCH_NAME="$3"
+SPEC_FILE="$4"
+# Create additional project directories
+mkdir -p "docs/$BRANCH_NAME"
+# Set up branch-specific configuration
+echo "Branch $BRANCH_NAME (#$FEATURE_NUM) created for: $FEATURE_DESC" > "docs/$BRANCH_NAME/info.txt"
+```
+
+### Post-Specification Notification
+
+**Bash version:**
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# .specify/hooks/post-specify
+FEATURE_DESC="$1"
+FEATURE_NUM="$2"
+BRANCH_NAME="$3"
+SPEC_FILE="$4"
+# Create completion issue
+gh issue create --title "Spec Complete #$FEATURE_NUM: $FEATURE_DESC" --body "Specification ready for review: $SPEC_FILE on branch $BRANCH_NAME"
+# Send notification
+echo "Specification $FEATURE_NUM completed: $SPEC_FILE" | mail -s "Spec Ready" team@company.com
+```
+
+## Technical Notes
+
+### Platform-Specific Behavior
+- **Unix/Linux/macOS**: Hooks must be executable (`chmod +x`). System looks for exact hook name.
+- **Windows**: PowerShell hooks use `.ps1` extension. No execute permission needed.
+- **Cross-platform**: System automatically detects and uses appropriate hook format.
+
+### Hook Execution
+- Hook arguments vary by type:
+  - `pre-specify` and `prepare-feature-num`: receive only feature description (`$1`)
+  - `post-checkout` and `post-specify`: receive feature description (`$1`) and have access to environment variables (BRANCH_NAME, SPEC_FILE, FEATURE_NUM)
+- The `prepare-feature-num` hook should output only the number to stdout
+- Failed hooks generate warnings but don't stop the specification process
+- Non-existent or non-executable hook files are safely ignored
+
+### Available Hook Formats
+- `hook-name` - Bash/shell script (Unix/Linux/macOS)
+- `hook-name.ps1` - PowerShell script (Windows/cross-platform)
+
+### Hook Execution Order
+1. `pre-specify` - Workflow validation and setup
+2. `prepare-feature-num` - Custom feature numbering (optional)
+3. **Script execution** - Branch/directory creation
+4. `post-checkout` - Post-branch setup tasks
+5. **Spec writing** - Template processing and content generation
+6. `post-specify` - Completion notifications and final tasks
+
+## Customization
+
+**To activate and customize hooks:**
+
+1. **Copy the sample**: Remove `.sample` from the appropriate hook file
+2. **Make executable** (Unix only): `chmod +x .specify/hooks/hook-name`
+3. **Edit the hook**: Customize the logic for your needs
+4. **Test**: Run the hook manually with test data
+
+**Example activation:**
+```bash
+# Unix/Linux/macOS - Activate prepare-feature-num hook
+cp .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num.sample .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num
+chmod +x .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num
+
+# Windows PowerShell - Activate prepare-feature-num hook
+Copy-Item .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num.ps1.sample .specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num.ps1
+```
+
+The Git-style naming provides familiar patterns for developers already using Git hooks, making the system more intuitive and easier to understand.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/hooks/post-checkout.ps1.sample b/hooks/post-checkout.ps1.sample
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2e7ec309c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hooks/post-checkout.ps1.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env pwsh
+# Post-checkout hook: Runs after feature branch and directory creation
+# Arguments: $args[0] = feature description
+# Environment: $env:BRANCH_NAME, $env:SPEC_FILE, $env:FEATURE_NUM available
+
+param(
+    [Parameter(Position=0)]
+    [string]$FeatureDescription
+)
+
+# Example: Create GitHub issue
+# if (Get-Command gh -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) {
+#     gh issue create --title "Spec: $FeatureDescription" --body "Branch: $env:BRANCH_NAME, Spec: $env:SPEC_FILE"
+# }
+
+# Example: Send notification
+# $message = "Feature $env:FEATURE_NUM created: $env:BRANCH_NAME"
+# Send-MailMessage -To "team@company.com" -Subject "New Spec" -Body $message -SmtpServer "smtp.company.com"
+
+# Default: Do nothing
+exit 0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/hooks/post-checkout.sample b/hooks/post-checkout.sample
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..425b22a60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hooks/post-checkout.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Post-checkout hook: Runs after feature branch and directory creation
+# Arguments: $1 = feature description
+# Environment: BRANCH_NAME, SPEC_FILE, FEATURE_NUM available
+
+# Example: Create GitHub issue
+# if command -v gh >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+#     gh issue create --title "Spec: $1" --body "Branch: $BRANCH_NAME, Spec: $SPEC_FILE"
+# fi
+
+# Example: Send notification
+# echo "Feature $FEATURE_NUM created: $BRANCH_NAME" | mail -s "New Spec" team@company.com
+
+# Default: Do nothing
+exit 0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/hooks/post-specify.ps1.sample b/hooks/post-specify.ps1.sample
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f75c8abad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hooks/post-specify.ps1.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env pwsh
+# Post-specify hook: Runs after spec file is written and completed
+# Arguments: $args[0] = feature description
+# Environment: $env:BRANCH_NAME, $env:SPEC_FILE, $env:FEATURE_NUM available
+
+param(
+    [Parameter(Position=0)]
+    [string]$FeatureDescription
+)
+
+# Example: Create GitHub issue linking to completed spec
+# if (Get-Command gh -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) {
+#     gh issue create --title "Spec Complete: $FeatureDescription" --body "Specification completed: $env:SPEC_FILE on branch $env:BRANCH_NAME"
+# }
+
+# Example: Send completion notification
+# $message = "Specification $env:FEATURE_NUM completed: $env:SPEC_FILE"
+# Send-MailMessage -To "team@company.com" -Subject "Spec Ready for Review" -Body $message -SmtpServer "smtp.company.com"
+
+# Example: Trigger CI/CD pipeline
+# $body = @{
+#     event = "spec_completed"
+#     branch = $env:BRANCH_NAME
+#     spec = $env:SPEC_FILE
+# } | ConvertTo-Json
+# Invoke-RestMethod -Uri $env:CI_WEBHOOK_URL -Method Post -Body $body -ContentType "application/json"
+
+# Default: Do nothing
+exit 0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/hooks/post-specify.sample b/hooks/post-specify.sample
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..44277fcb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hooks/post-specify.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Post-specify hook: Runs after spec file is written and completed
+# Arguments: $1 = feature description
+# Environment: BRANCH_NAME, SPEC_FILE, FEATURE_NUM available
+
+# Example: Create GitHub issue linking to completed spec
+# if command -v gh >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+#     gh issue create --title "Spec Complete: $1" --body "Specification completed: $SPEC_FILE on branch $BRANCH_NAME"
+# fi
+
+# Example: Send completion notification
+# echo "Specification $FEATURE_NUM completed: $SPEC_FILE" | mail -s "Spec Ready for Review" team@company.com
+
+# Example: Trigger CI/CD pipeline
+# curl -X POST "$CI_WEBHOOK_URL" -d '{"event":"spec_completed","branch":"'$BRANCH_NAME'","spec":"'$SPEC_FILE'"}'
+
+# Default: Do nothing
+exit 0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/hooks/pre-specify.ps1.sample b/hooks/pre-specify.ps1.sample
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b06e6c197
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hooks/pre-specify.ps1.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env pwsh
+# Pre-specify hook: Runs before feature creation
+# Arguments: $args[0] = feature description
+# Customize this script to add pre-processing logic
+
+param(
+    [Parameter(Position=0)]
+    [string]$FeatureDescription
+)
+
+# Example: Validate feature description
+# if ($FeatureDescription.Length -lt 10) {
+#     Write-Error "Error: Feature description too short"
+#     exit 1
+# }
+
+# Default: Do nothing
+exit 0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/hooks/pre-specify.sample b/hooks/pre-specify.sample
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..06988c24d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hooks/pre-specify.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Pre-specify hook: Runs before feature creation
+# Arguments: $1 = feature description
+# Customize this script to add pre-processing logic
+
+# Example: Validate feature description
+# if [[ ${#1} -lt 10 ]]; then
+#     echo "Error: Feature description too short" >&2
+#     exit 1
+# fi
+
+# Default: Do nothing
+exit 0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/hooks/prepare-feature-num.ps1.sample b/hooks/prepare-feature-num.ps1.sample
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6ff2a8356
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hooks/prepare-feature-num.ps1.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env pwsh
+# Feature-num hook: Override auto-generated feature number
+# Arguments: $args[0] = feature description
+# Output: Custom feature number (integer)
+
+param(
+    [Parameter(Position=0)]
+    [string]$FeatureDescription
+)
+
+# Example 1: Get from server
+# $featureNumber = Invoke-RestMethod -Uri "$env:SPEC_SERVER/api/next-number"
+# Write-Output $featureNumber
+
+# Example 2: Use GitHub issue number
+# if (Get-Command gh -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) {
+#     $issueUrl = gh issue create --title "Spec: $FeatureDescription" --body "Specification development"
+#     $issueNumber = [regex]::Match($issueUrl, '\d+$').Value
+#     Write-Output $issueNumber
+# }
+
+# Default: Let script auto-increment (output nothing)
+exit 0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/hooks/prepare-feature-num.sample b/hooks/prepare-feature-num.sample
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..64b6eb7ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hooks/prepare-feature-num.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Feature-num hook: Override auto-generated feature number
+# Arguments: $1 = feature description
+# Output: Custom feature number (integer)
+
+# Example 1: Get from server
+# FEATURE_NUMBER=$(curl -s "$SPEC_SERVER/api/next-number")
+# echo "$FEATURE_NUMBER"
+
+# Example 2: Use GitHub issue number
+# ISSUE_URL=$(gh issue create --title "Spec: $1" --body "Specification development")
+# ISSUE_NUMBER=$(echo "$ISSUE_URL" | grep -o '[0-9]*$')
+# echo "$ISSUE_NUMBER"
+
+# Default: Let script auto-increment (output nothing)
+exit 0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/scripts/bash/create-new-feature.sh b/scripts/bash/create-new-feature.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 6670550e4..08e3ead5e
--- a/scripts/bash/create-new-feature.sh
+++ b/scripts/bash/create-new-feature.sh
@@ -3,18 +3,34 @@
 set -e
 
 JSON_MODE=false
+FEATURE_NUM_OVERRIDE=""
 ARGS=()
-for arg in "$@"; do
-    case "$arg" in
-        --json) JSON_MODE=true ;;
-        --help|-h) echo "Usage: $0 [--json] <feature_description>"; exit 0 ;;
-        *) ARGS+=("$arg") ;;
+while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
+    case "$1" in
+        --json) JSON_MODE=true; shift ;;
+        --feature-num)
+            if [[ -z "$2" || "$2" == -* ]]; then
+                echo "Error: --feature-num requires a number (1-999)" >&2
+                exit 1
+            fi
+            if ! [[ "$2" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+                echo "Error: --feature-num must be a positive integer" >&2
+                exit 1
+            fi
+            if [[ "$2" -lt 1 || "$2" -gt 999 ]]; then
+                echo "Error: --feature-num must be between 1 and 999" >&2
+                exit 1
+            fi
+            FEATURE_NUM_OVERRIDE="$2"
+            shift 2 ;;
+        --help|-h) echo "Usage: $0 [--json] [--feature-num NUMBER(1-999)] <feature_description>"; exit 0 ;;
+        *) ARGS+=("$1"); shift ;;
     esac
 done
 
 FEATURE_DESCRIPTION="${ARGS[*]}"
 if [ -z "$FEATURE_DESCRIPTION" ]; then
-    echo "Usage: $0 [--json] <feature_description>" >&2
+    echo "Usage: $0 [--json] [--feature-num NUMBER(1-999)] <feature_description>" >&2
     exit 1
 fi
 
@@ -53,19 +69,24 @@ cd "$REPO_ROOT"
 SPECS_DIR="$REPO_ROOT/specs"
 mkdir -p "$SPECS_DIR"
 
-HIGHEST=0
-if [ -d "$SPECS_DIR" ]; then
-    for dir in "$SPECS_DIR"/*; do
-        [ -d "$dir" ] || continue
-        dirname=$(basename "$dir")
-        number=$(echo "$dirname" | grep -o '^[0-9]\+' || echo "0")
-        number=$((10#$number))
-        if [ "$number" -gt "$HIGHEST" ]; then HIGHEST=$number; fi
-    done
-fi
+# Use override if provided, otherwise auto-increment
+if [ -n "$FEATURE_NUM_OVERRIDE" ]; then
+    FEATURE_NUM=$(printf "%03d" "$FEATURE_NUM_OVERRIDE")
+else
+    HIGHEST=0
+    if [ -d "$SPECS_DIR" ]; then
+        for dir in "$SPECS_DIR"/*; do
+            [ -d "$dir" ] || continue
+            dirname=$(basename "$dir")
+            number=$(echo "$dirname" | grep -o '^[0-9]\+' || echo "0")
+            number=$((10#$number))
+            if [ "$number" -gt "$HIGHEST" ]; then HIGHEST=$number; fi
+        done
+    fi
 
-NEXT=$((HIGHEST + 1))
-FEATURE_NUM=$(printf "%03d" "$NEXT")
+    NEXT=$((HIGHEST + 1))
+    FEATURE_NUM=$(printf "%03d" "$NEXT")
+fi
 
 BRANCH_NAME=$(echo "$FEATURE_DESCRIPTION" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' | sed 's/[^a-z0-9]/-/g' | sed 's/-\+/-/g' | sed 's/^-//' | sed 's/-$//')
 WORDS=$(echo "$BRANCH_NAME" | tr '-' '\n' | grep -v '^$' | head -3 | tr '\n' '-' | sed 's/-$//')
diff --git a/scripts/powershell/create-new-feature.ps1 b/scripts/powershell/create-new-feature.ps1
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index f1c8e04e3..f6e551bef
--- a/scripts/powershell/create-new-feature.ps1
+++ b/scripts/powershell/create-new-feature.ps1
@@ -3,13 +3,15 @@
 [CmdletBinding()]
 param(
     [switch]$Json,
+    [ValidateRange(1, 999)]
+    [int]$FeatureNum,
     [Parameter(ValueFromRemainingArguments = $true)]
     [string[]]$FeatureDescription
 )
 $ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
 
 if (-not $FeatureDescription -or $FeatureDescription.Count -eq 0) {
-    Write-Error "Usage: ./create-new-feature.ps1 [-Json] <feature description>"
+    Write-Error "Usage: ./create-new-feature.ps1 [-Json] [-FeatureNum NUMBER(1-999)] <feature description>"
     exit 1
 }
 $featureDesc = ($FeatureDescription -join ' ').Trim()
@@ -60,17 +62,22 @@ Set-Location $repoRoot
 $specsDir = Join-Path $repoRoot 'specs'
 New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $specsDir -Force | Out-Null
 
-$highest = 0
-if (Test-Path $specsDir) {
-    Get-ChildItem -Path $specsDir -Directory | ForEach-Object {
-        if ($_.Name -match '^(\d{3})') {
-            $num = [int]$matches[1]
-            if ($num -gt $highest) { $highest = $num }
+# Use override if provided, otherwise auto-increment
+if ($PSBoundParameters.ContainsKey('FeatureNum')) {
+    $featureNum = ('{0:000}' -f $FeatureNum)
+} else {
+    $highest = 0
+    if (Test-Path $specsDir) {
+        Get-ChildItem -Path $specsDir -Directory | ForEach-Object {
+            if ($_.Name -match '^(\d{3})') {
+                $num = [int]$matches[1]
+                if ($num -gt $highest) { $highest = $num }
+            }
         }
     }
+    $next = $highest + 1
+    $featureNum = ('{0:000}' -f $next)
 }
-$next = $highest + 1
-$featureNum = ('{0:000}' -f $next)
 
 $branchName = $featureDesc.ToLower() -replace '[^a-z0-9]', '-' -replace '-{2,}', '-' -replace '^-', '' -replace '-$', ''
 $words = ($branchName -split '-') | Where-Object { $_ } | Select-Object -First 3
@@ -91,17 +98,17 @@ New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $featureDir -Force | Out-Null
 
 $template = Join-Path $repoRoot 'templates/spec-template.md'
 $specFile = Join-Path $featureDir 'spec.md'
-if (Test-Path $template) { 
-    Copy-Item $template $specFile -Force 
-} else { 
-    New-Item -ItemType File -Path $specFile | Out-Null 
+if (Test-Path $template) {
+    Copy-Item $template $specFile -Force
+} else {
+    New-Item -ItemType File -Path $specFile | Out-Null
 }
 
 # Set the SPECIFY_FEATURE environment variable for the current session
 $env:SPECIFY_FEATURE = $branchName
 
 if ($Json) {
-    $obj = [PSCustomObject]@{ 
+    $obj = [PSCustomObject]@{
         BRANCH_NAME = $branchName
         SPEC_FILE = $specFile
         FEATURE_NUM = $featureNum
diff --git a/src/specify_cli/__init__.py b/src/specify_cli/__init__.py
index 8025dae75..304c7bdae 100644
--- a/src/specify_cli/__init__.py
+++ b/src/specify_cli/__init__.py
@@ -700,47 +700,91 @@ def download_and_extract_template(project_path: Path, ai_assistant: str, script_
     return project_path
 
 
+UTF8_BOM = b'\xef\xbb\xbf'
+
+def _has_shebang(file_path: Path) -> bool:
+    """Check if file has shebang, handling UTF-8 BOM."""
+    try:
+        with file_path.open("rb") as f:
+            head = f.read(5)
+            # Skip UTF-8 BOM if present
+            if head.startswith(UTF8_BOM):
+                head = head[3:]
+            return head.startswith(b"#!")
+    except Exception:
+        return False
+
+def _should_skip_hook(hook: Path) -> bool:
+    """Check if hook file should be skipped for permission update."""
+    return (hook.is_symlink() or
+            not hook.is_file() or
+            hook.name == "README.md" or
+            hook.name.endswith(".sample"))
+
 def ensure_executable_scripts(project_path: Path, tracker: StepTracker | None = None) -> None:
-    """Ensure POSIX .sh scripts under .specify/scripts (recursively) have execute bits (no-op on Windows)."""
+    """Ensure executable files (with shebangs) under .specify/scripts (for .sh files) and .specify/hooks (for any file with a shebang, except sample files) have execute bits (no-op on Windows)."""
     if os.name == "nt":
         return  # Windows: skip silently
-    scripts_root = project_path / ".specify" / "scripts"
-    if not scripts_root.is_dir():
-        return
+
     failures: list[str] = []
     updated = 0
-    for script in scripts_root.rglob("*.sh"):
-        try:
-            if script.is_symlink() or not script.is_file():
-                continue
+
+    # Handle scripts
+    scripts_root = project_path / ".specify" / "scripts"
+    if scripts_root.is_dir():
+        for script in scripts_root.rglob("*.sh"):
             try:
-                with script.open("rb") as f:
-                    if f.read(2) != b"#!":
-                        continue
-            except Exception:
-                continue
-            st = script.stat(); mode = st.st_mode
-            if mode & 0o111:
-                continue
-            new_mode = mode
-            if mode & 0o400: new_mode |= 0o100
-            if mode & 0o040: new_mode |= 0o010
-            if mode & 0o004: new_mode |= 0o001
-            if not (new_mode & 0o100):
-                new_mode |= 0o100
-            os.chmod(script, new_mode)
-            updated += 1
-        except Exception as e:
-            failures.append(f"{script.relative_to(scripts_root)}: {e}")
+                if script.is_symlink() or not script.is_file():
+                    continue
+                if not _has_shebang(script):
+                    continue
+                st = script.stat(); mode = st.st_mode
+                if mode & 0o111:
+                    continue
+                new_mode = mode
+                if mode & 0o400: new_mode |= 0o100
+                if mode & 0o040: new_mode |= 0o010
+                if mode & 0o004: new_mode |= 0o001
+                if not (new_mode & 0o100):
+                    new_mode |= 0o100
+                os.chmod(script, new_mode)
+                updated += 1
+            except Exception as e:
+                failures.append(f"scripts/{script.relative_to(scripts_root)}: {e}")
+
+    # Handle hooks (skip sample files)
+    hooks_root = project_path / ".specify" / "hooks"
+    if hooks_root.is_dir():
+        for hook in hooks_root.iterdir():
+            try:
+                if _should_skip_hook(hook):
+                    continue
+                if not _has_shebang(hook):
+                    continue
+                st = hook.stat()
+                mode = st.st_mode
+                if mode & 0o111:
+                    continue
+                new_mode = mode
+                if mode & 0o400: new_mode |= 0o100
+                if mode & 0o040: new_mode |= 0o010
+                if mode & 0o004: new_mode |= 0o001
+                if not (new_mode & 0o100):
+                    new_mode |= 0o100
+                os.chmod(hook, new_mode)
+                updated += 1
+            except Exception as e:
+                failures.append(f"hooks/{hook.relative_to(hooks_root)}: {e}")
+
     if tracker:
         detail = f"{updated} updated" + (f", {len(failures)} failed" if failures else "")
-        tracker.add("chmod", "Set script permissions recursively")
+        tracker.add("chmod", "Set script and hook permissions")
         (tracker.error if failures else tracker.complete)("chmod", detail)
     else:
         if updated:
-            console.print(f"[cyan]Updated execute permissions on {updated} script(s) recursively[/cyan]")
+            console.print(f"[cyan]Updated execute permissions on {updated} script(s) and hook(s)[/cyan]")
         if failures:
-            console.print("[yellow]Some scripts could not be updated:[/yellow]")
+            console.print("[yellow]Some scripts/hooks could not be updated:[/yellow]")
             for f in failures:
                 console.print(f"  - {f}")
 
diff --git a/templates/commands/specify.md b/templates/commands/specify.md
index 652c86a27..3668383ca 100644
--- a/templates/commands/specify.md
+++ b/templates/commands/specify.md
@@ -15,10 +15,20 @@ The text the user typed after `/specify` in the triggering message **is** the fe
 
 Given that feature description, do this:
 
-1. Run the script `{SCRIPT}` from repo root and parse its JSON output for BRANCH_NAME and SPEC_FILE. All file paths must be absolute.
+1. Run pre-specify hook if available (ignore errors):
+   - Try `.specify/hooks/pre-specify{HOOK_EXT} "{ARGS}"`
+2. Check for prepare-feature-num hook and get custom number:
+   - Try `.specify/hooks/prepare-feature-num{HOOK_EXT} "{ARGS}"`
+   - If hook returns a number, use `--feature-num $FEATURE_NUM` with the script
+3. Run the script `{SCRIPT}` from repo root (with optional --feature-num parameter) and parse its JSON output for BRANCH_NAME, SPEC_FILE, and FEATURE_NUM. All file paths must be absolute.
   **IMPORTANT** You must only ever run this script once. The JSON is provided in the terminal as output - always refer to it to get the actual content you're looking for.
-2. Load `templates/spec-template.md` to understand required sections.
-3. Write the specification to SPEC_FILE using the template structure, replacing placeholders with concrete details derived from the feature description (arguments) while preserving section order and headings.
-4. Report completion with branch name, spec file path, and readiness for the next phase.
+4. Run post-checkout hook if available (ignore errors):
+   - Try `.specify/hooks/post-checkout{HOOK_EXT} "{ARGS}" "$FEATURE_NUM" "$BRANCH_NAME" "$SPEC_FILE"`
+5. Load `templates/spec-template.md` to understand required sections.
+6. Write the specification to SPEC_FILE using the template structure, replacing placeholders with concrete details derived from the feature description (arguments) while preserving section order and headings.
+7. Run post-specify hook if available (ignore errors):
+   - Try `.specify/hooks/post-specify{HOOK_EXT} "{ARGS}" "$FEATURE_NUM" "$BRANCH_NAME" "$SPEC_FILE"`
+8. Report completion with branch name, spec file path, and readiness for the next phase.
 
-Note: The script creates and checks out the new branch and initializes the spec file before writing.
+Note: The script creates and checks out the new branch and initializes the spec file before writing. 
+Hooks follow Git-style naming: pre-specify for validation, prepare-feature-num for custom numbering, post-checkout after branch creation, and post-specify after spec completion.