diff --git a/docs/get-started/configuration.md b/docs/get-started/configuration.md
index d528e5398a..d62ee18bba 100644
--- a/docs/get-started/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/get-started/configuration.md
@@ -909,7 +909,7 @@ their corresponding top-level category object in your `settings.json` file.
 - **`hooksConfig.enabled`** (boolean):
   - **Description:** Canonical toggle for the hooks system. When disabled, no
     hooks will be executed.
-  - **Default:** `false`
+  - **Default:** `true`
 
 - **`hooksConfig.disabled`** (array):
   - **Description:** List of hook names (commands) that should be disabled.
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/hooks/migrate.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/commands/hooks/migrate.test.ts
index 3f6f5317b4..847d7bc467 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/hooks/migrate.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/hooks/migrate.test.ts
@@ -511,8 +511,5 @@ describe('migrate command', () => {
     expect(debugLoggerLogSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       '\nMigration complete! Please review the migrated hooks in .gemini/settings.json',
     );
-    expect(debugLoggerLogSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      'Note: Set hooksConfig.enabled to true in your settings to enable the hook system.',
-    );
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/hooks/migrate.ts b/packages/cli/src/commands/hooks/migrate.ts
index f1fb56f970..1ced601052 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/hooks/migrate.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/hooks/migrate.ts
@@ -244,9 +244,6 @@ export async function handleMigrateFromClaude() {
     debugLogger.log(
       '\nMigration complete! Please review the migrated hooks in .gemini/settings.json',
     );
-    debugLogger.log(
-      'Note: Set hooksConfig.enabled to true in your settings to enable the hook system.',
-    );
   } catch (error) {
     debugLogger.error(`Error saving migrated hooks: ${getErrorMessage(error)}`);
   }
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/config/config.ts b/packages/cli/src/config/config.ts
index 31cf91412d..457d2b29ff 100755
--- a/packages/cli/src/config/config.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/config/config.ts
@@ -763,7 +763,7 @@ export async function loadCliConfig(
     // TODO: loading of hooks based on workspace trust
     enableHooks:
       (settings.tools?.enableHooks ?? true) &&
-      (settings.hooksConfig?.enabled ?? false),
+      (settings.hooksConfig?.enabled ?? true),
     enableHooksUI: settings.tools?.enableHooks ?? true,
     hooks: settings.hooks || {},
     disabledHooks: settings.hooksConfig?.disabled || [],
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/config/extension.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/config/extension.test.ts
index 78433b6c79..7acaf2cc67 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/config/extension.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/config/extension.test.ts
@@ -872,6 +872,7 @@ describe('extension tests', () => {
         );
 
         const settings = loadSettings(tempWorkspaceDir).merged;
+        settings.hooksConfig.enabled = false;
 
         extensionManager = new ExtensionManager({
           workspaceDir: tempWorkspaceDir,
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/config/settingsSchema.ts b/packages/cli/src/config/settingsSchema.ts
index cea502581d..3a953309dd 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/config/settingsSchema.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/config/settingsSchema.ts
@@ -1646,7 +1646,7 @@ const SETTINGS_SCHEMA = {
         label: 'Enable Hooks',
         category: 'Advanced',
         requiresRestart: false,
-        default: false,
+        default: true,
         description:
           'Canonical toggle for the hooks system. When disabled, no hooks will be executed.',
         showInDialog: false,
diff --git a/packages/core/src/config/config.ts b/packages/core/src/config/config.ts
index 2871b9fc30..8d72082c08 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/config/config.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/config/config.ts
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ export class Config {
       ? false
       : (params.useWriteTodos ?? true);
     this.enableHooksUI = params.enableHooksUI ?? true;
-    this.enableHooks = params.enableHooks ?? false;
+    this.enableHooks = params.enableHooks ?? true;
     this.disabledHooks = params.disabledHooks ?? [];
 
     this.codebaseInvestigatorSettings = {
diff --git a/schemas/settings.schema.json b/schemas/settings.schema.json
index c94fc779c8..cb8d3a2311 100644
--- a/schemas/settings.schema.json
+++ b/schemas/settings.schema.json
@@ -1574,8 +1574,8 @@
         "enabled": {
           "title": "Enable Hooks",
           "description": "Canonical toggle for the hooks system. When disabled, no hooks will be executed.",
-          "markdownDescription": "Canonical toggle for the hooks system. When disabled, no hooks will be executed.\n\n- Category: `Advanced`\n- Requires restart: `no`\n- Default: `false`",
-          "default": false,
+          "markdownDescription": "Canonical toggle for the hooks system. When disabled, no hooks will be executed.\n\n- Category: `Advanced`\n- Requires restart: `no`\n- Default: `true`",
+          "default": true,
           "type": "boolean"
         },
         "disabled": {