In PrestaShop, Hooks and Positions are used to control where modules appear and execute on your store.

What is a Hook?

A Hook is a predefined location in PrestaShop where modules can insert content or run code.

Examples:

• Header
• Footer
• Left column
• Product page
• Checkout page

A module “hooks” into these positions.

Common hooks:

What is Position?

A Position controls:

1. Which hook the module uses
2. The order of modules inside that hook

Example:

Inside displayHome hook:

1. Slider module
2. Featured products
3. Banner module

You can move modules up/down.

Manage Module Positions

Go to:

Back Office → Design → Positions

There you can:

• Transplant module to another hook
• Change order
• Unhook modules
• Add exceptions

Example Module Hook Code

Basic module registration:

public function install()
{
    return parent::install()
        && $this->registerHook('displayHome')
        && $this->registerHook('displayHeader');
}

Hook function:

public function hookDisplayHome($params)
{
    return $this->display(__FILE__, 'views/templates/hook/home.tpl');
}

Display vs Action Hooks

Display Hooks

Used to show HTML content.

Example:

hookDisplayFooter()

Action Hooks

Used to execute logic.

Example:

hookActionCartSave()

No HTML output required.

Important Hook Locations

Front Office Hooks

Product Page Hooks

How to Find Available Hooks

Methods:

1. Enable Hook Display

In config:

define('_PS_DEBUG_PROFILING_', true);

2. Use Hook List

Go to:

Design → Positions

or database table:

ps_hook

Transplanting Module

Example:

Move WhatsApp module from footer to left column:

1. Go to Positions
2. Find module
3. Click “Transplant a module”
4. Select:
   • Module
   • Hook
   • Exceptions

Hook Naming Convention

Modern Symfony Hooks (PrestaShop 8/9)

Newer versions support Symfony events and Twig hooks alongside classic hooks.

Example:

{% hook 'displayAdminProductsMainStepLeftColumnMiddle' %}

Best Practices

• Use correct hook for performance
• Avoid heavy queries in hooks
• Cache hook output when possible
• Use exceptions on unnecessary pages
• Register only needed hooks

Official developer documentation:

PrestaShop DevDocs – Hooks

PrestaShop Official Website