WordPress hooks are the foundation of plugin development. Actions and filters allow you to modify WordPress behavior without editing core files. Actions let you execute custom code at specific points, while filters modify data before it’s displayed or saved. Understanding the difference between add_action and add_filter is crucial. Common hooks include init, wp_enqueue_scripts, and save_post. Always use appropriate priority values to control execution order. Proper hook usage ensures your plugin integrates seamlessly with WordPress and other plugins.