diff --git a/pre-commit b/pre-commit
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cfa24e96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pre-commit
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# stash unstaged changes, run release task, stage release updates and restore stashed files
+
+NAME=$(git branch | grep '*' | sed 's/* //')
+
+# don't run on rebase
+if [ $NAME != '(no branch)' ]
+then
+  NOT_STAGED=$(git status | grep 'not staged')
+  # if [ "${NOT_STAGED#*not staged}" != "$NOT_STAGED" ]
+  if [ "$NOT_STAGED" != "" ]
+  then
+    echo "Unclean directory, aborting commit. Run git status."
+    exit 1
+  fi
+
+  grunt precommit
+  RETVAL=$?
+
+  if [ $RETVAL -ne 0 ]
+  then
+  	echo "grunt test failed, aborting commit. Run grunt test"
+  	exit 1
+  fi
+fi
\ No newline at end of file