diff --git a/.devcontainer/Dockerfile b/.devcontainer/Dockerfile
index 581766f1b9..855659a66b 100644
--- a/.devcontainer/Dockerfile
+++ b/.devcontainer/Dockerfile
@@ -12,10 +12,3 @@ RUN pip install -e .[dev,test]
 # docs requirements are in a separate file for the GitHub Action
 COPY docs/requirements.txt docs/requirements.txt
 RUN pip install -r docs/requirements.txt
-
-# install pre-commit environments in throwaway Git repository
-# https://stackoverflow.com/a/68758943
-COPY .pre-commit-config.yaml .
-RUN git init . && \
-    pre-commit install-hooks && \
-    rm -rf .git
diff --git a/.devcontainer/postAttach.sh b/.devcontainer/postAttach.sh
index b5c5440caa..8cf2014d88 100755
--- a/.devcontainer/postAttach.sh
+++ b/.devcontainer/postAttach.sh
@@ -4,4 +4,9 @@ set -eu
 # initialize pre-commit
 
 git config --global --add safe.directory /calitp/app
-pre-commit install --overwrite
+
+# initialize hook environments
+pre-commit install --install-hooks --overwrite
+
+# manage commit-msg hooks
+pre-commit install --hook-type commit-msg