---
title: "Server Script Hooks"
space: "Wiki"
url: "https://support.aakvatech.com/wiki/server-script-hooks"
updated: "2026-07-22"
---

**Server Scripts** in Frappe are a way to execute custom Python code triggered by document events or specific actions on the server. Server Scripts complement hooks by allowing code to be written directly within the Frappe UI, without modifying Python files or requiring deployment.

---

### **Server Script Hooks**

These are available types of server script hooks:

1. **API (Method)**  
   Define a custom endpoint accessible via REST APIs.
   **Trigger:** Executed when the defined method is called.
   ```python
   # Example: API Server Script
   frappe.publish_realtime('show_notification', message="API Triggered!")
   ```

---

2. **Document Event**  
   Similar to document hooks in `hooks.py`, these scripts are triggered on document lifecycle events.  
   **Supported Triggers:**
   - `Before Insert`
   - `After Insert`
   - `Before Save`
   - `After Save`
   - `Before Submit`
   - `After Submit`
   - `Before Cancel`
   - `After Cancel`
   - `Before Delete`
   - `After Delete`

   ```python
   # Example: Before Save Script
   if doc.total < 0:
       frappe.throw("Total cannot be negative.")
   ```

---

3. **Scheduled Script (Cron Jobs)**  
   Run custom logic periodically based on a schedule defined using cron syntax.  
   **Trigger:** Follows a specific schedule.

   **Example:**
   ```python
   # Send daily summary email
   users = frappe.get_all("User", filters={"enabled": 1})
   for user in users:
       frappe.sendmail(recipients=user.email, subject="Daily Summary", message="Hello!")
   ```

---

4. **Permission Query**  
   Add custom filters to control data visibility dynamically.  
   **Trigger:** Applied when fetching data for list views or reports.

   **Example:**
   ```python
   # Restrict visibility of Sales Invoice to the logged-in user's territory
   if not user.has_role("Administrator"):
       conditions["territory"] = frappe.db.get_value("User", frappe.session.user, "territory")
   ```

---

5. **Custom Field Logic**  
   Apply custom validation or computation logic directly to specific fields.  
   **Trigger:** Executed during field changes.

   **Example:**
   ```python
   # Automatically calculate a discount based on total
   if doc.total > 5000:
       doc.discount_percentage = 10
   ```

---

### **Differences Between Hooks and Server Scripts**
| Feature                | Hooks (Python Code)                     | Server Scripts (UI Code)              |
|------------------------|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| **Deployment**         | Requires file modification and restart  | No deployment; changes apply instantly |
| **Customization Scope**| Comprehensive                          | Limited to simple use cases            |
| **Best for**           | Complex and large-scale customizations | Quick tweaks or temporary changes      |

Both approaches can be used depending on the use case. Server Scripts are ideal for minor changes, while `hooks.py` is better suited for robust, reusable logic.