diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-hooks-simulator.yml b/.github/workflows/test-hooks-simulator.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ae4571361c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-hooks-simulator.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,188 @@
+name: hook simulator tests
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [ 'master', 'main', 'release/**' ]
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [ '*' ]
+
+jobs:
+  hooks_test:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 30
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        include:
+          - mechanism: flash
+            config: sim.config
+            test_script: sim-sunnyday-update.sh
+            expected_preinit: 2
+            expected_postinit: 2
+            expected_boot: 2
+            expected_panic: 0
+          - mechanism: dualbank
+            config: sim-dualbank.config
+            test_script: sim-dualbank-swap-update.sh
+            expected_preinit: 3
+            expected_postinit: 3
+            expected_boot: 3
+            expected_panic: 0
+          - mechanism: panic
+            config: sim.config
+            test_script: ""
+            expected_preinit: 1
+            expected_postinit: 1
+            expected_boot: 0
+            expected_panic: 1
+
+    name: hooks (${{ matrix.mechanism }})
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          submodules: true
+
+      - name: Workaround for sources.list
+        run: |
+            set -euxo pipefail
+
+            apt-cache policy
+            grep -RInE '^(deb|Types|URIs)' /etc/apt || true
+
+            shopt -s nullglob
+
+            echo "Replace sources.list (legacy)"
+            sudo sed -i \
+              -e "s|https\?://azure\.archive\.ubuntu\.com/ubuntu/?|http://mirror.arizona.edu/ubuntu/|g" \
+              /etc/apt/sources.list || true
+
+            echo "Replace sources.list.d/*.list (legacy)"
+            for f in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/*.list; do
+              sudo sed -i \
+                -e "s|https\?://azure\.archive\.ubuntu\.com/ubuntu/?|http://mirror.arizona.edu/ubuntu/|g" \
+                "$f"
+            done
+
+            echo "Replace sources.list.d/*.sources (deb822)"
+            for f in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/*.sources; do
+              sudo sed -i \
+                -e "s|https\?://azure\.archive\.ubuntu\.com/ubuntu/?|http://mirror.arizona.edu/ubuntu/|g" \
+                -e "s|https\?://azure\.archive\.ubuntu\.com|http://mirror.arizona.edu|g" \
+                "$f"
+            done
+
+            echo "Fix /etc/apt/apt-mirrors.txt (used by URIs: mirror+file:...)"
+            if grep -qE '^[[:space:]]*https?://azure\.archive\.ubuntu\.com/ubuntu/?' /etc/apt/apt-mirrors.txt; then
+              sudo sed -i 's|https\?://azure\.archive\.ubuntu\.com/ubuntu/|http://mirror.arizona.edu/ubuntu/|g' /etc/apt/apt-mirrors.txt
+            fi
+
+            grep -RIn "azure.archive.ubuntu.com" /etc/apt || true
+            grep -RInE '^(deb|Types|URIs)' /etc/apt || true
+            echo "--- apt-mirrors.txt ---"
+            cat /etc/apt/apt-mirrors.txt || true
+
+      - name: Update repository
+        run: sudo apt-get update -o Acquire::Retries=3
+
+      - name: Create test_hooks.c
+        run: |
+          cat > test_hooks.c << 'EOF'
+          #include <stdio.h>
+          #include "hooks.h"
+
+          #define HOOK_LOG_FILE "/tmp/wolfboot_hooks.log"
+
+          static void log_hook(const char *name)
+          {
+              FILE *f = fopen(HOOK_LOG_FILE, "a");
+              if (f) {
+                  fprintf(f, "%s\n", name);
+                  fclose(f);
+              }
+          }
+
+          void wolfBoot_hook_preinit(void)  { log_hook("preinit"); }
+          void wolfBoot_hook_postinit(void) { log_hook("postinit"); }
+          void wolfBoot_hook_boot(struct wolfBoot_image *boot_img) { (void)boot_img; log_hook("boot"); }
+          void wolfBoot_hook_panic(void)    { log_hook("panic"); }
+          EOF
+
+      - name: Select config
+        run: |
+          cp config/examples/${{ matrix.config }} .config
+
+      - name: Build tools
+        run: |
+          make -C tools/keytools && make -C tools/bin-assemble
+
+      - name: Build wolfboot.elf with hooks
+        run: |
+          make clean && make test-sim-internal-flash-with-update \
+            WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_FILE=test_hooks.c \
+            WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_PREINIT=1 \
+            WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_POSTINIT=1 \
+            WOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT=1 \
+            WOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC=1
+
+      - name: Clear hook log
+        run: |
+          rm -f /tmp/wolfboot_hooks.log
+
+      - name: Corrupt partitions and run panic test
+        if: matrix.mechanism == 'panic'
+        run: |
+          # Zero out boot partition header (offset 0x80000) to invalidate image
+          printf '\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00' | \
+            dd of=internal_flash.dd bs=1 seek=$((0x80000)) conv=notrunc
+          # Zero out update partition header (offset 0x100000) to invalidate image
+          printf '\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00' | \
+            dd of=internal_flash.dd bs=1 seek=$((0x100000)) conv=notrunc
+          # wolfBoot_panic() calls exit('P') = exit(80) on ARCH_SIM
+          ./wolfboot.elf get_version 2>&1 || EXIT_CODE=$?
+          echo "wolfboot.elf exited with code ${EXIT_CODE:-0}"
+          if [ "${EXIT_CODE:-0}" -ne 80 ]; then
+            echo "FAIL: expected exit code 80 (panic), got ${EXIT_CODE:-0}"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          echo "OK: wolfboot panicked as expected"
+
+      - name: Run ${{ matrix.mechanism }} update test
+        if: matrix.mechanism != 'panic'
+        run: |
+          tools/scripts/${{ matrix.test_script }}
+
+      - name: Display hook log
+        if: always()
+        run: |
+          echo "=== Hook log contents ==="
+          cat /tmp/wolfboot_hooks.log || echo "(no log file found)"
+
+      - name: Verify hook call counts
+        run: |
+          LOG="/tmp/wolfboot_hooks.log"
+          PASS=true
+
+          check_count() {
+            local hook_name="$1"
+            local expected="$2"
+            local actual
+            actual=$(grep -c "^${hook_name}$" "$LOG" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)
+            if [ "$actual" -ne "$expected" ]; then
+              echo "FAIL: ${hook_name} expected=${expected} actual=${actual}"
+              PASS=false
+            else
+              echo "OK: ${hook_name} expected=${expected} actual=${actual}"
+            fi
+          }
+
+          check_count "preinit"  ${{ matrix.expected_preinit }}
+          check_count "postinit" ${{ matrix.expected_postinit }}
+          check_count "boot"     ${{ matrix.expected_boot }}
+          check_count "panic"    ${{ matrix.expected_panic }}
+
+          if [ "$PASS" != "true" ]; then
+            echo "Hook verification FAILED"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          echo "All hook counts verified successfully"
diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
index 758e556d25..d86720d9c7 100644
--- a/docs/README.md
+++ b/docs/README.md
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ See also: [wolfBoot Product Overview](https://www.wolfssl.com/products/wolfboot/
 - [**flash-OTP.md**](./flash-OTP.md) - Using One-Time Programmable (OTP) regions in flash for secure data.
 - [**flash_partitions.md**](./flash_partitions.md) - Flash partitioning schemes and configuration guidance.
 - [**HAL.md**](./HAL.md) - Hardware Abstraction Layer notes and porting considerations.
+- [**hooks.md**](./hooks.md) - User-defined hooks for injecting custom logic into the wolfBoot boot process.
 - [**keystore.md**](./keystore.md) - Keystore design, key storage, and access strategies.
 - [**lib.md**](./lib.md) - Using wolfBoot as a library and linking/integration guidance.
 - [**Loader.md**](./Loader.md) - Loader/secondary stage behavior and handoff to application.
diff --git a/docs/hooks.md b/docs/hooks.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..48223eb905
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/hooks.md
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+# Hooks
+
+wolfBoot provides a hooks framework that allows users to inject custom logic at
+well-defined points in the boot process without modifying wolfBoot source code.
+Each hook is independently enabled via its own build-time macro and compiled in
+from a single user-provided source file.
+
+Typical use cases include board-specific hardware setup not covered in the
+default HAL, debug logging, watchdog management, setting a safe state on boot
+failure, etc.
+
+## Available Hooks
+
+| Hook | Macro | Signature | When Called |
+|------|-------|-----------|------------|
+| Preinit | `WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_PREINIT` | `void wolfBoot_hook_preinit(void)` | Before `hal_init()` in the loader |
+| Postinit | `WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_POSTINIT` | `void wolfBoot_hook_postinit(void)` | After all loader initialization, just before `wolfBoot_start()` |
+| Boot | `WOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT` | `void wolfBoot_hook_boot(struct wolfBoot_image *boot_img)` | After `hal_prepare_boot()` but before `do_boot()` |
+| Panic | `WOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC` | `void wolfBoot_hook_panic(void)` | Inside `wolfBoot_panic()`, before halt |
+
+## Boot Flow
+
+The following diagram shows where each hook fires in the wolfBoot boot sequence:
+
+```
+loader main()
+  |
+  +-- [HOOK: wolfBoot_hook_preinit()]     <-- WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_PREINIT
+  |
+  +-- hal_init()
+  +-- other initialization...
+  |
+  +-- [HOOK: wolfBoot_hook_postinit()]    <-- WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_POSTINIT
+  |
+  +-- wolfBoot_start()
+        |
+        +-- (image verification, update logic)
+        |
+        +-- hal_prepare_boot()
+        |
+        +-- [HOOK: wolfBoot_hook_boot()]  <-- WOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT
+        |
+        +-- do_boot()
+
+wolfBoot_panic()  (called on any fatal error)
+  |
+  +-- [HOOK: wolfBoot_hook_panic()]      <-- WOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC
+  |
+  +-- halt / infinite loop
+```
+
+## Build Configuration
+
+First, enable hooks in your `.config`:
+
+```makefile
+# Path to a single .c file containing your hook implementations
+WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_FILE=path/to/my_hooks.c
+
+# Enable individual hooks (each is independent)
+WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_PREINIT=1
+WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_POSTINIT=1
+WOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT=1
+WOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC=1
+```
+
+Or pass them on the `make` command line:
+
+```bash
+make WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_FILE=my_hooks.c WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_PREINIT=1
+```
+
+## Notes
+
+- `WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_FILE` tells the build system to compile and link your hooks
+  source file. The resulting object file is added to the wolfBoot binary.
+- Hook prototypes are declared in `include/hooks.h`.
+- Each hook is independently enabled. You only need to implement the hooks you
+  wish to enable in your build. Additionally, all hooks are optional. If no
+  `WOLFBOOT_HOOK_*` macros are defined, the boot flow is unchanged.
+- The preinit hook runs before any hardware initialization. Be careful to only
+  use functionality that does not depend on `hal_init()` having been called.
+- The boot hook receives a pointer to the verified `wolfBoot_image` struct,
+  allowing inspection of firmware version, type, and other metadata before boot.
+- The panic hook fires inside `wolfBoot_panic()` just before the system halts.
+  Use it to set the system to a safe state, log errors, toggle GPIOs, notify
+  external systems, etc.
+- **Note (WOLFBOOT_ARMORED):** When armored glitch protection is enabled, the
+  panic hook is called on a best-effort basis before the glitch-hardened halt
+  loop. The hook itself is not glitch-protected — a fault during the hook call
+  could skip it entirely. The halt loop remains hardened regardless.
diff --git a/include/hal.h b/include/hal.h
index 893b23ef21..5649019b30 100644
--- a/include/hal.h
+++ b/include/hal.h
@@ -203,7 +203,6 @@ int hal_hsm_server_cleanup(void);
 
 #endif /* WOLFBOOT_ENABLE_WOLFHSM_SERVER */
 
-
 #if defined(WOLFBOOT_ENABLE_WOLFHSM_CLIENT) || \
     defined(WOLFBOOT_ENABLE_WOLFHSM_SERVER)
 
diff --git a/include/hooks.h b/include/hooks.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9e027c9d25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/hooks.h
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+/* hooks.h
+ *
+ * wolfBoot hooks API definitions.
+ *
+ * Hooks allow users to inject custom logic at well-defined points in the
+ * wolfBoot boot process. Each hook is independently enabled via its own
+ * build macro.
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2026 wolfSSL Inc.
+ *
+ * This file is part of wolfBoot.
+ *
+ * wolfBoot is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * wolfBoot is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1335, USA
+ */
+
+#ifndef WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_H
+#define WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_H
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+struct wolfBoot_image;
+
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_PREINIT
+void wolfBoot_hook_preinit(void);
+#endif
+
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_POSTINIT
+void wolfBoot_hook_postinit(void);
+#endif
+
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT
+void wolfBoot_hook_boot(struct wolfBoot_image *boot_img);
+#endif
+
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC
+void wolfBoot_hook_panic(void);
+#endif
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
+
+#endif /* WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_H */
diff --git a/include/loader.h b/include/loader.h
index e5613a1347..9d2ef37653 100644
--- a/include/loader.h
+++ b/include/loader.h
@@ -55,21 +55,38 @@ extern "C" {
 
 void wolfBoot_start(void);
 
+#include "hooks.h"
+
 #if defined(ARCH_ARM) && defined(WOLFBOOT_ARMORED)
 
 /* attempt to jump 5 times to self, causing loop that cannot be glitched past */
-#define wolfBoot_panic() \
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC
+#define wolfBoot_panic() do { \
+    wolfBoot_hook_panic(); \
+    asm volatile("b ."); \
+    asm volatile("b .-2"); \
+    asm volatile("b .-4"); \
+    asm volatile("b .-6"); \
+    asm volatile("b .-8"); \
+    } while(0)
+#else
+#define wolfBoot_panic() do { \
     asm volatile("b ."); \
     asm volatile("b .-2"); \
     asm volatile("b .-4"); \
     asm volatile("b .-6"); \
-    asm volatile("b .-8");
+    asm volatile("b .-8"); \
+    } while(0)
+#endif
 
 #elif defined(ARCH_SIM)
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 static inline void wolfBoot_panic(void)
 {
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC
+    wolfBoot_hook_panic();
+#endif
     fprintf(stderr, "wolfBoot: PANIC!\n");
     exit('P');
 }
@@ -77,6 +94,9 @@ static inline void wolfBoot_panic(void)
 static int wolfBoot_panicked = 0;
 static inline void wolfBoot_panic(void)
 {
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC
+    wolfBoot_hook_panic();
+#endif
     fprintf(stderr, "wolfBoot: PANIC!\n");
     wolfBoot_panicked++;
 }
@@ -84,6 +104,9 @@ static inline void wolfBoot_panic(void)
 #include "printf.h"
 static inline void wolfBoot_panic(void)
 {
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC
+    wolfBoot_hook_panic();
+#endif
     wolfBoot_printf("wolfBoot: PANIC!\n");
 #ifdef WOLFBOOT_FSP
     extern void panic(void);
diff --git a/options.mk b/options.mk
index ff57622796..94de9fec5f 100644
--- a/options.mk
+++ b/options.mk
@@ -1149,6 +1149,33 @@ ifeq ($(WOLFHSM_SERVER),1)
       $(WOLFBOOT_LIB_WOLFHSM)/src/wh_server_cert.o
     CFLAGS += -DWOLFHSM_CFG_CERTIFICATE_MANAGER
   endif
+
+endif
+
+# wolfBoot hooks framework
+# WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_FILE: path to a single .c file containing hook definitions
+WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_ENABLED :=
+ifeq ($(WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_PREINIT),1)
+  CFLAGS += -DWOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_PREINIT
+  WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_ENABLED := 1
+endif
+ifeq ($(WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_POSTINIT),1)
+  CFLAGS += -DWOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_POSTINIT
+  WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_ENABLED := 1
+endif
+ifeq ($(WOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT),1)
+  CFLAGS += -DWOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT
+  WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_ENABLED := 1
+endif
+ifeq ($(WOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC),1)
+  CFLAGS += -DWOLFBOOT_HOOK_PANIC
+  WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_ENABLED := 1
+endif
+ifneq ($(WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_ENABLED),)
+  ifeq ($(WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_FILE),)
+    $(error WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_FILE must be set to a .c file when hooks are enabled)
+  endif
+  OBJS += $(patsubst %.c,%.o,$(WOLFBOOT_HOOKS_FILE))
 endif
 
 # Cert chain verification options
diff --git a/src/loader.c b/src/loader.c
index 03681d9edd..4cdb8d6b34 100644
--- a/src/loader.c
+++ b/src/loader.c
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 #include "loader.h"
 #include "image.h"
 #include "hal.h"
+#include "hooks.h"
 #include "spi_flash.h"
 #ifdef UART_FLASH
 #include "uart_flash.h"
@@ -101,6 +102,9 @@ int main(void)
     main_argc = argc;
 #endif
 
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_PREINIT
+    wolfBoot_hook_preinit();
+#endif
     hal_init();
 #ifdef TEST_FLASH
     hal_flash_test();
@@ -124,6 +128,9 @@ int main(void)
 #endif
 #ifdef WOLFCRYPT_SECURE_MODE
     wcs_Init();
+#endif
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_LOADER_POSTINIT
+    wolfBoot_hook_postinit();
 #endif
     wolfBoot_start();
 
diff --git a/src/update_disk.c b/src/update_disk.c
index cdf815cd91..7ea38e8e07 100644
--- a/src/update_disk.c
+++ b/src/update_disk.c
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 #include "image.h"
 #include "loader.h"
 #include "hal.h"
+#include "hooks.h"
 #include "spi_flash.h"
 #include "printf.h"
 #include "wolfboot/wolfboot.h"
@@ -502,6 +503,9 @@ void RAMFUNCTION wolfBoot_start(void)
 #endif
     hal_prepare_boot();
 
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT
+    wolfBoot_hook_boot(&os_image);
+#endif
     do_boot((uint32_t*)load_address
     #ifdef MMU
         ,(uint32_t*)dts_addr
diff --git a/src/update_flash.c b/src/update_flash.c
index 054837d898..574ea1be1f 100644
--- a/src/update_flash.c
+++ b/src/update_flash.c
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include "loader.h"
 #include "image.h"
 #include "hal.h"
+#include "hooks.h"
 #include "spi_flash.h"
 #include "target.h"
 #include "wolfboot/wolfboot.h"
@@ -1419,6 +1420,9 @@ void RAMFUNCTION wolfBoot_start(void)
 
     hal_prepare_boot();
 
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT
+    wolfBoot_hook_boot(&boot);
+#endif
     do_boot((void *)boot.fw_base);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/update_flash_hwswap.c b/src/update_flash_hwswap.c
index ec3816e5da..305e919d32 100644
--- a/src/update_flash_hwswap.c
+++ b/src/update_flash_hwswap.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include "loader.h"
 #include "image.h"
 #include "hal.h"
+#include "hooks.h"
 #include "spi_flash.h"
 #include "wolfboot/wolfboot.h"
 #ifdef SECURE_PKCS11
@@ -104,5 +105,8 @@ void RAMFUNCTION wolfBoot_start(void)
     (void)hal_hsm_server_cleanup();
 #endif
     hal_prepare_boot();
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT
+    wolfBoot_hook_boot(&fw_image);
+#endif
     do_boot((void *)(WOLFBOOT_PARTITION_BOOT_ADDRESS + IMAGE_HEADER_SIZE));
 }
diff --git a/src/update_ram.c b/src/update_ram.c
index d415fc7602..833a7025ae 100644
--- a/src/update_ram.c
+++ b/src/update_ram.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include "image.h"
 #include "loader.h"
 #include "hal.h"
+#include "hooks.h"
 #include "spi_flash.h"
 #include "printf.h"
 #include "wolfboot/wolfboot.h"
@@ -389,6 +390,9 @@ void RAMFUNCTION wolfBoot_start(void)
 
     hal_prepare_boot();
 
+#ifdef WOLFBOOT_HOOK_BOOT
+    wolfBoot_hook_boot(&os_image);
+#endif
 #ifdef MMU
     do_boot((uint32_t*)load_address,
             (uint32_t*)dts_addr);