diff --git a/pkg/compose/containers.go b/pkg/compose/containers.go
index 0fb1e7d686..ad6a9c5c07 100644
--- a/pkg/compose/containers.go
+++ b/pkg/compose/containers.go
@@ -162,6 +162,10 @@ func isNotOneOff(c container.Summary) bool {
 	return !ok || v == "False"
 }
 
+func isNotRunning(c container.Summary) bool {
+	return c.State != container.StateRunning
+}
+
 // filter return Containers with elements to match predicate
 func (containers Containers) filter(predicates ...containerPredicate) Containers {
 	var filtered Containers
diff --git a/pkg/compose/convergence.go b/pkg/compose/convergence.go
index 8e7803f9d1..67917f20db 100644
--- a/pkg/compose/convergence.go
+++ b/pkg/compose/convergence.go
@@ -537,37 +537,52 @@ func (s *composeService) startService(ctx context.Context,
 		return fmt.Errorf("service %q has no container to start", service.Name)
 	}
 
-	for _, ctr := range containers.filter(isService(service.Name)) {
-		if ctr.State == container.StateRunning {
-			continue
-		}
+	serviceContainers := containers.filter(isService(service.Name), isNotOneOff)
+	toStart := serviceContainers.filter(isNotRunning)
+	if len(toStart) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
 
-		err = s.injectSecrets(ctx, project, service, ctr.ID)
-		if err != nil {
+	// pre_start runs once per service, only when no replica is already running
+	// (e.g. initial up, force-recreate, or spec change). per_replica: false is
+	// the only currently supported mode. Pick the replica with the lowest
+	// container-number so the choice is deterministic regardless of the order
+	// the daemon returns containers in.
+	if len(service.PreStart) > 0 && len(serviceContainers) == len(toStart) {
+		if err := s.runPreStart(ctx, project, service, lowestNumberedContainer(toStart), listener); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+	}
 
-		err = s.injectConfigs(ctx, project, service, ctr.ID)
-		if err != nil {
+	for _, ctr := range toStart {
+		if err := s.startServiceContainer(ctx, project, service, ctr, listener); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
 
-		eventName := getContainerProgressName(ctr)
-		s.events.On(newEvent(eventName, api.Working, api.StatusStarting))
-		_, err = s.apiClient().ContainerStart(ctx, ctr.ID, client.ContainerStartOptions{})
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
+func (s *composeService) startServiceContainer(ctx context.Context, project *types.Project, service types.ServiceConfig, ctr container.Summary, listener api.ContainerEventListener) error {
+	if err := s.injectSecrets(ctx, project, service, ctr.ID); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := s.injectConfigs(ctx, project, service, ctr.ID); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 
-		for _, hook := range service.PostStart {
-			err = s.runHook(ctx, ctr, service, hook, listener)
-			if err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-		}
+	eventName := getContainerProgressName(ctr)
+	s.events.On(newEvent(eventName, api.Working, api.StatusStarting))
+	if _, err := s.apiClient().ContainerStart(ctx, ctr.ID, client.ContainerStartOptions{}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 
-		s.events.On(newEvent(eventName, api.Done, api.StatusStarted))
+	for _, hook := range service.PostStart {
+		if err := s.runHook(ctx, ctr, service, hook, listener); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 	}
+
+	s.events.On(newEvent(eventName, api.Done, api.StatusStarted))
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/compose/pre_start.go b/pkg/compose/pre_start.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..439969e16e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/compose/pre_start.go
@@ -0,0 +1,301 @@
+/*
+   Copyright 2020 Docker Compose CLI authors
+
+   Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+   you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+   You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+       http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+   Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+   distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+   WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+   See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+   limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package compose
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"strconv"
+
+	"github.com/compose-spec/compose-go/v2/types"
+	"github.com/moby/moby/api/pkg/stdcopy"
+	"github.com/moby/moby/api/types/container"
+	"github.com/moby/moby/client"
+	"github.com/moby/moby/client/pkg/versions"
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/docker/compose/v5/pkg/api"
+	"github.com/docker/compose/v5/pkg/utils"
+)
+
+// lowestNumberedContainer returns the container with the lowest
+// com.docker.compose.container-number label, so pre_start always targets the
+// same replica regardless of the order the daemon returned them in.
+// Panics on an empty slice; callers must guard.
+func lowestNumberedContainer(containers Containers) container.Summary {
+	pick := containers[0]
+	pickNum, _ := strconv.Atoi(pick.Labels[api.ContainerNumberLabel])
+	for _, ctr := range containers[1:] {
+		num, _ := strconv.Atoi(ctr.Labels[api.ContainerNumberLabel])
+		if num < pickNum {
+			pick, pickNum = ctr, num
+		}
+	}
+	return pick
+}
+
+// runPreStart executes the service's pre_start hooks sequentially, in declared
+// order. Each hook runs as an ephemeral container that shares the service
+// container's volumes via VolumesFrom and is attached to the same networks.
+// A non-zero exit gates service start.
+//
+// With per_replica: false (the only currently supported mode), the hook sees
+// the volumes of the first non-running replica only — anonymous volumes and
+// tmpfs mounts are per-replica and not shared. Use named volumes or bind
+// mounts for data the hook produces.
+func (s *composeService) runPreStart(ctx context.Context, project *types.Project, service types.ServiceConfig, ctr container.Summary, listener api.ContainerEventListener) error {
+	// Validate every hook up front so an unsupported entry never triggers any I/O.
+	for i, hook := range service.PreStart {
+		if hook.PerReplica {
+			return fmt.Errorf("service %q pre_start[%d]: per_replica is not yet supported; remove per_replica or set it to false", service.Name, i)
+		}
+	}
+	for i, hook := range service.PreStart {
+		if err := s.runPreStartHook(ctx, project, service, ctr, i, hook, listener); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *composeService) runPreStartHook(
+	ctx context.Context, project *types.Project, service types.ServiceConfig,
+	ctr container.Summary, index int, hook types.ServiceHook, listener api.ContainerEventListener,
+) error {
+	created, err := s.createPreStartContainer(ctx, project, service, ctr, hook)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Subscribe to wait before start to avoid missing the exit event for short-lived hooks.
+	// WaitConditionNotRunning would match immediately because the container is still in
+	// "created" state, so use WaitConditionNextExit to block until the run actually finishes.
+	waitRes := s.apiClient().ContainerWait(ctx, created.ID, client.ContainerWaitOptions{
+		Condition: container.WaitConditionNextExit,
+	})
+
+	// Open the log stream before ContainerStart so AutoRemove cannot race us
+	// to a 404 on a fast-exiting hook. The dedicated logCtx lets us force the
+	// follow stream closed once the hook has exited, so a daemon that keeps
+	// the connection open cannot deadlock `<-logsDone`.
+	logCtx, cancelLogs := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	defer cancelLogs()
+	logsDone := s.streamPreStartLogs(logCtx, created.ID, service, index, listener)
+
+	if _, err := s.apiClient().ContainerStart(ctx, created.ID, client.ContainerStartOptions{}); err != nil {
+		// AutoRemove only fires after a successful start, so the never-started
+		// container has to be dropped explicitly. A failed removal is logged
+		// at warn level — without that hint the orphan is only discoverable
+		// via the project/service labels.
+		if _, removeErr := s.apiClient().ContainerRemove(ctx, created.ID, client.ContainerRemoveOptions{Force: true}); removeErr != nil {
+			logrus.Warnf("service %q pre_start[%d]: failed to remove orphan hook container %s: %v", service.Name, index, created.ID, removeErr)
+		}
+		// Drain waitRes so the client's wait goroutine exits without having to
+		// wait for the parent context to be canceled.
+		select {
+		case <-waitRes.Error:
+		case <-waitRes.Result:
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+		}
+		cancelLogs()
+		<-logsDone
+		return err
+	}
+
+	waitErr := waitPreStart(ctx, service.Name, index, waitRes)
+	cancelLogs()
+	<-logsDone
+	return waitErr
+}
+
+func (s *composeService) createPreStartContainer(
+	ctx context.Context, project *types.Project, service types.ServiceConfig,
+	ctr container.Summary, hook types.ServiceHook,
+) (client.ContainerCreateResult, error) {
+	image := hook.Image
+	if image == "" {
+		image = api.GetImageNameOrDefault(service, project.Name)
+	}
+
+	cfg := &container.Config{
+		Image:      image,
+		Cmd:        hook.Command,
+		User:       hook.User,
+		WorkingDir: hook.WorkingDir,
+		Env:        append(ToMobyEnv(service.Environment), ToMobyEnv(hook.Environment)...),
+		// Tag the ephemeral hook container with the project/service it belongs
+		// to so a failed AutoRemove leaves something that `compose down` (and
+		// other label-scoped tooling) can still find.
+		Labels: map[string]string{
+			api.ProjectLabel: project.Name,
+			api.ServiceLabel: service.Name,
+			api.VersionLabel: api.ComposeVersion,
+		},
+	}
+	hostCfg := &container.HostConfig{
+		AutoRemove:  true,
+		Privileged:  hook.Privileged,
+		VolumesFrom: []string{ctr.ID},
+	}
+
+	apiVersion, err := s.RuntimeAPIVersion(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return client.ContainerCreateResult{}, err
+	}
+
+	networkMode, networkingConfig, err := defaultNetworkSettings(project, service, 0, nil, true, apiVersion)
+	if err != nil {
+		return client.ContainerCreateResult{}, err
+	}
+	hostCfg.NetworkMode = networkMode
+
+	created, err := s.apiClient().ContainerCreate(ctx, client.ContainerCreateOptions{
+		Config:           cfg,
+		HostConfig:       hostCfg,
+		NetworkingConfig: networkingConfig,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return client.ContainerCreateResult{}, err
+	}
+
+	if versions.LessThan(apiVersion, apiVersion144) {
+		if err := s.connectPreStartExtraNetworks(ctx, project, service, created.ID, networkMode); err != nil {
+			// Same reason as the ContainerStart-failure cleanup: AutoRemove never
+			// fires on a container that was created but not started. Surface
+			// any cleanup failure so the orphan is at least visible in logs.
+			if _, removeErr := s.apiClient().ContainerRemove(ctx, created.ID, client.ContainerRemoveOptions{Force: true}); removeErr != nil {
+				logrus.Warnf("service %q pre_start: failed to remove orphan hook container %s: %v", service.Name, created.ID, removeErr)
+			}
+			return client.ContainerCreateResult{}, err
+		}
+	}
+	return created, nil
+}
+
+// connectPreStartExtraNetworks mirrors the createMobyContainer fallback path for
+// older API versions: ContainerCreate only accepts one EndpointsConfig, so extra
+// networks have to be attached via NetworkConnect after creation.
+func (s *composeService) connectPreStartExtraNetworks(ctx context.Context, project *types.Project, service types.ServiceConfig, containerID string, primary container.NetworkMode) error {
+	for _, networkKey := range service.NetworksByPriority() {
+		mobyNetworkName := project.Networks[networkKey].Name
+		if string(primary) == mobyNetworkName {
+			continue
+		}
+		eps, err := createEndpointSettings(project, service, 0, networkKey, nil, true)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if _, err := s.apiClient().NetworkConnect(ctx, mobyNetworkName, client.NetworkConnectOptions{
+			Container:      containerID,
+			EndpointConfig: eps,
+		}); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func waitPreStart(ctx context.Context, serviceName string, index int, waitRes client.ContainerWaitResult) error {
+	// ContainerWait can deliver on Result and Error at the same instant. Two
+	// races have to be closed deterministically here:
+	//   1. The daemon closing a successful stream cleanly sends nil on Error
+	//      AND the exit code on Result — a plain 3-case select would let Go
+	//      pick the Error branch and report a spurious "wait ended" failure.
+	//   2. A real transport error on Error can race with a stale Result — if
+	//      the scheduler picks Result, we would silently drop the error and
+	//      let the service start.
+	// Loop until Result is delivered, nil-ing the Error channel after a nil
+	// receive so a closed channel cannot busy-loop. After Result lands, do a
+	// non-blocking check on Error so a real error still wins over Result.
+	errCh := waitRes.Error
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return ctx.Err()
+		case res := <-waitRes.Result:
+			select {
+			case err := <-errCh:
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+			default:
+			}
+			return preStartResultErr(serviceName, index, res)
+		case err := <-errCh:
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			// nil on Error: stream closed cleanly. Disable this case so a
+			// closed channel can't fire repeatedly.
+			errCh = nil
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func preStartResultErr(serviceName string, index int, res container.WaitResponse) error {
+	if res.Error != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("service %q pre_start[%d] wait error: %s", serviceName, index, res.Error.Message)
+	}
+	if res.StatusCode != 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("service %q pre_start[%d] exited with code %d", serviceName, index, res.StatusCode)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// streamPreStartLogs returns a channel that is closed once the hook log stream
+// has been fully drained (or never opened). Callers must wait on it before
+// returning so the goroutine cannot outlive the hook.
+func (s *composeService) streamPreStartLogs(ctx context.Context, containerID string, service types.ServiceConfig, index int, listener api.ContainerEventListener) <-chan struct{} {
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	if listener == nil {
+		close(done)
+		return done
+	}
+	source := fmt.Sprintf("%s pre_start[%d] ->", service.Name, index)
+	logs, err := s.apiClient().ContainerLogs(ctx, containerID, client.ContainerLogsOptions{
+		ShowStdout: true,
+		ShowStderr: true,
+		Follow:     true,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		listener(api.ContainerEvent{
+			Type:    api.HookEventLog,
+			Source:  source,
+			ID:      containerID,
+			Service: service.Name,
+			Line:    fmt.Sprintf("warning: could not attach pre_start log stream: %s", err),
+		})
+		close(done)
+		return done
+	}
+	go func() {
+		defer close(done)
+		defer logs.Close() //nolint:errcheck
+		w := utils.GetWriter(func(line string) {
+			listener(api.ContainerEvent{
+				Type:    api.HookEventLog,
+				Source:  source,
+				ID:      containerID,
+				Service: service.Name,
+				Line:    line,
+			})
+		})
+		defer w.Close() //nolint:errcheck
+		_, _ = stdcopy.StdCopy(w, w, logs)
+	}()
+	return done
+}
diff --git a/pkg/compose/pre_start_test.go b/pkg/compose/pre_start_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..005bc5a012
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/compose/pre_start_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,369 @@
+/*
+   Copyright 2020 Docker Compose CLI authors
+
+   Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+   you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+   You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+       http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+   Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+   distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+   WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+   See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+   limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package compose
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/compose-spec/compose-go/v2/types"
+	"github.com/moby/moby/api/types/container"
+	"github.com/moby/moby/client"
+	"go.uber.org/goleak"
+	"go.uber.org/mock/gomock"
+	"gotest.tools/v3/assert"
+
+	"github.com/docker/compose/v5/pkg/api"
+	"github.com/docker/compose/v5/pkg/mocks"
+)
+
+func newPreStartTestService(t *testing.T) (*composeService, *mocks.MockAPIClient) {
+	t.Helper()
+	// Register the goroutine-leak check first so it runs last (t.Cleanup is
+	// LIFO), after gomock's own cleanup has drained any internal goroutines.
+	// Any goroutine spawned by the code under test that outlives the test will
+	// fail this assertion.
+	ignoreExisting := goleak.IgnoreCurrent()
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		goleak.VerifyNone(t, ignoreExisting)
+	})
+	mockCtrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	t.Cleanup(mockCtrl.Finish)
+	apiClient := mocks.NewMockAPIClient(mockCtrl)
+	cli := mocks.NewMockCli(mockCtrl)
+	cli.EXPECT().Client().Return(apiClient).AnyTimes()
+	apiClient.EXPECT().Ping(gomock.Any(), client.PingOptions{NegotiateAPIVersion: true}).
+		Return(client.PingResult{APIVersion: "1.44"}, nil).AnyTimes()
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ClientVersion().Return("1.44").AnyTimes()
+	tested, err := NewComposeService(cli)
+	assert.NilError(t, err)
+	return tested.(*composeService), apiClient
+}
+
+func waitResultExit(code int64) client.ContainerWaitResult {
+	resultC := make(chan container.WaitResponse, 1)
+	errC := make(chan error, 1)
+	resultC <- container.WaitResponse{StatusCode: code}
+	return client.ContainerWaitResult{Result: resultC, Error: errC}
+}
+
+func emptyLogs() client.ContainerLogsResult {
+	return io.NopCloser(bytes.NewReader(nil))
+}
+
+func TestPreStart_SuccessTwoHooksInOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	tested, apiClient := newPreStartTestService(t)
+
+	project := &types.Project{Name: "demo"}
+	service := types.ServiceConfig{
+		Name:  "web",
+		Image: "alpine",
+		PreStart: []types.ServiceHook{
+			{Image: "alpine", Command: types.ShellCommand{"echo", "first"}},
+			{Image: "alpine", Command: types.ShellCommand{"echo", "second"}},
+		},
+	}
+	ctr := container.Summary{ID: "service-ctr-id"}
+
+	// Hook 1: create → wait (subscribe) → logs (subscribe) → start.
+	create1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerCreate(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerCreateResult{ID: "hook-1"}, nil)
+	wait1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerWait(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(waitResultExit(0)).After(create1)
+	logs1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerLogs(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(emptyLogs(), nil).After(wait1)
+	start1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerStart(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerStartResult{}, nil).After(logs1)
+
+	// Hook 2 is only created after hook 1 has been started (and waited on).
+	create2 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerCreate(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerCreateResult{ID: "hook-2"}, nil).After(start1)
+	wait2 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerWait(gomock.Any(), "hook-2", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(waitResultExit(0)).After(create2)
+	logs2 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerLogs(gomock.Any(), "hook-2", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(emptyLogs(), nil).After(wait2)
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerStart(gomock.Any(), "hook-2", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerStartResult{}, nil).After(logs2)
+
+	err := tested.runPreStart(t.Context(), project, service, ctr, func(api.ContainerEvent) {})
+	assert.NilError(t, err)
+}
+
+func TestPreStart_FirstHookFailsStopsExecution(t *testing.T) {
+	tested, apiClient := newPreStartTestService(t)
+
+	project := &types.Project{Name: "demo"}
+	service := types.ServiceConfig{
+		Name:  "web",
+		Image: "alpine",
+		PreStart: []types.ServiceHook{
+			{Image: "alpine", Command: types.ShellCommand{"false"}},
+			{Image: "alpine", Command: types.ShellCommand{"echo", "never"}},
+		},
+	}
+	ctr := container.Summary{ID: "service-ctr-id"}
+
+	create1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerCreate(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerCreateResult{ID: "hook-1"}, nil)
+	wait1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerWait(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(waitResultExit(42)).After(create1)
+	logs1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerLogs(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(emptyLogs(), nil).After(wait1)
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerStart(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerStartResult{}, nil).After(logs1)
+
+	err := tested.runPreStart(t.Context(), project, service, ctr, func(api.ContainerEvent) {})
+	assert.ErrorContains(t, err, `service "web" pre_start[0]`)
+	assert.ErrorContains(t, err, "42")
+}
+
+func TestPreStart_PerReplicaRejected(t *testing.T) {
+	tested, _ := newPreStartTestService(t)
+
+	project := &types.Project{Name: "demo"}
+	service := types.ServiceConfig{
+		Name:  "web",
+		Image: "alpine",
+		PreStart: []types.ServiceHook{
+			{Image: "alpine", Command: types.ShellCommand{"true"}, PerReplica: true},
+		},
+	}
+	ctr := container.Summary{ID: "service-ctr-id"}
+
+	err := tested.runPreStart(t.Context(), project, service, ctr, func(api.ContainerEvent) {})
+	assert.ErrorContains(t, err, `service "web" pre_start[0]`)
+	assert.ErrorContains(t, err, "per_replica is not yet supported")
+}
+
+func TestPreStart_ImageFallsBackToBuiltImage(t *testing.T) {
+	tested, apiClient := newPreStartTestService(t)
+
+	project := &types.Project{Name: "demo"}
+	// Service with no explicit image (build-only); hook image also empty.
+	service := types.ServiceConfig{
+		Name: "web",
+		PreStart: []types.ServiceHook{
+			{Command: types.ShellCommand{"echo", "hi"}},
+		},
+	}
+	ctr := container.Summary{ID: "service-ctr-id"}
+
+	var gotImage string
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerCreate(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		DoAndReturn(func(_ any, opts client.ContainerCreateOptions) (client.ContainerCreateResult, error) {
+			gotImage = opts.Config.Image
+			return client.ContainerCreateResult{ID: "hook-1"}, nil
+		})
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerStart(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerStartResult{}, nil)
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerLogs(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(emptyLogs(), nil)
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerWait(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(waitResultExit(0))
+
+	err := tested.runPreStart(t.Context(), project, service, ctr, func(api.ContainerEvent) {})
+	assert.NilError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, gotImage, api.GetImageNameOrDefault(service, project.Name))
+}
+
+func TestPreStart_ExplicitHookImageUsed(t *testing.T) {
+	tested, apiClient := newPreStartTestService(t)
+
+	project := &types.Project{Name: "demo"}
+	service := types.ServiceConfig{
+		Name:  "web",
+		Image: "service-image:latest",
+		PreStart: []types.ServiceHook{
+			{Image: "custom-hook-image:1.2.3", Command: types.ShellCommand{"echo"}},
+		},
+	}
+	ctr := container.Summary{ID: "service-ctr-id"}
+
+	var gotImage string
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerCreate(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		DoAndReturn(func(_ any, opts client.ContainerCreateOptions) (client.ContainerCreateResult, error) {
+			gotImage = opts.Config.Image
+			return client.ContainerCreateResult{ID: "hook-1"}, nil
+		})
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerStart(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerStartResult{}, nil)
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerLogs(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(emptyLogs(), nil)
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerWait(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(waitResultExit(0))
+
+	err := tested.runPreStart(t.Context(), project, service, ctr, func(api.ContainerEvent) {})
+	assert.NilError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, gotImage, "custom-hook-image:1.2.3")
+}
+
+func TestPreStart_VolumesFromServiceContainer(t *testing.T) {
+	tested, apiClient := newPreStartTestService(t)
+
+	project := &types.Project{Name: "demo"}
+	service := types.ServiceConfig{
+		Name:  "web",
+		Image: "alpine",
+		PreStart: []types.ServiceHook{
+			{Image: "alpine", Command: types.ShellCommand{"true"}},
+		},
+	}
+	ctr := container.Summary{ID: "service-ctr-id"}
+
+	var gotVolumesFrom []string
+	var gotAutoRemove bool
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerCreate(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		DoAndReturn(func(_ any, opts client.ContainerCreateOptions) (client.ContainerCreateResult, error) {
+			gotVolumesFrom = opts.HostConfig.VolumesFrom
+			gotAutoRemove = opts.HostConfig.AutoRemove
+			return client.ContainerCreateResult{ID: "hook-1"}, nil
+		})
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerStart(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerStartResult{}, nil)
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerLogs(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(emptyLogs(), nil)
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerWait(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(waitResultExit(0))
+
+	err := tested.runPreStart(t.Context(), project, service, ctr, func(api.ContainerEvent) {})
+	assert.NilError(t, err)
+	assert.DeepEqual(t, gotVolumesFrom, []string{"service-ctr-id"})
+	assert.Assert(t, gotAutoRemove)
+}
+
+func TestPreStart_ContainerCreateFailurePropagates(t *testing.T) {
+	tested, apiClient := newPreStartTestService(t)
+
+	project := &types.Project{Name: "demo"}
+	service := types.ServiceConfig{
+		Name:  "web",
+		Image: "alpine",
+		PreStart: []types.ServiceHook{
+			{Image: "missing:latest", Command: types.ShellCommand{"true"}},
+			{Image: "alpine", Command: types.ShellCommand{"never"}},
+		},
+	}
+	ctr := container.Summary{ID: "service-ctr-id"}
+
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerCreate(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerCreateResult{}, fmt.Errorf("no such image: missing:latest"))
+
+	err := tested.runPreStart(t.Context(), project, service, ctr, func(api.ContainerEvent) {})
+	assert.ErrorContains(t, err, "no such image")
+}
+
+func TestPreStart_ContainerStartFailurePropagates(t *testing.T) {
+	tested, apiClient := newPreStartTestService(t)
+
+	project := &types.Project{Name: "demo"}
+	service := types.ServiceConfig{
+		Name:  "web",
+		Image: "alpine",
+		PreStart: []types.ServiceHook{
+			{Image: "alpine", Command: types.ShellCommand{"true"}},
+		},
+	}
+	ctr := container.Summary{ID: "service-ctr-id"}
+
+	create1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerCreate(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerCreateResult{ID: "hook-1"}, nil)
+	wait1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerWait(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(waitResultExit(0)).After(create1)
+	logs1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerLogs(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(emptyLogs(), nil).After(wait1)
+	start1 := apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerStart(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerStartResult{}, fmt.Errorf("daemon: container start failed")).After(logs1)
+	// AutoRemove never fires when start fails, so the hook must drop the ghost
+	// container explicitly.
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerRemove(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerRemoveResult{}, nil).After(start1)
+
+	err := tested.runPreStart(t.Context(), project, service, ctr, func(api.ContainerEvent) {})
+	assert.ErrorContains(t, err, "container start failed")
+}
+
+// TestPreStart_WaitResultPreferredOverNilError pins the fix for the scheduler
+// race in waitPreStart: when ContainerWait closes a successful stream cleanly
+// it delivers Result (exit code) AND a nil send on Error at the same time.
+// A naive 3-case select would pick Error half the time and turn the run into
+// a spurious "wait ended without an exit status" failure. The function must
+// always settle on the Result-based outcome.
+func TestPreStart_WaitResultPreferredOverNilError(t *testing.T) {
+	tested, apiClient := newPreStartTestService(t)
+
+	project := &types.Project{Name: "demo"}
+	service := types.ServiceConfig{
+		Name:  "web",
+		Image: "alpine",
+		PreStart: []types.ServiceHook{
+			{Image: "alpine", Command: types.ShellCommand{"true"}},
+		},
+	}
+	ctr := container.Summary{ID: "service-ctr-id"}
+
+	// Both channels are buffered and pre-populated so the outer select in
+	// waitPreStart sees them ready at the same instant.
+	resultC := make(chan container.WaitResponse, 1)
+	errC := make(chan error, 1)
+	resultC <- container.WaitResponse{StatusCode: 0}
+	errC <- nil
+
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerCreate(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerCreateResult{ID: "hook-1"}, nil)
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerWait(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerWaitResult{Result: resultC, Error: errC})
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerLogs(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(emptyLogs(), nil)
+	apiClient.EXPECT().ContainerStart(gomock.Any(), "hook-1", gomock.Any()).
+		Return(client.ContainerStartResult{}, nil)
+
+	err := tested.runPreStart(t.Context(), project, service, ctr, func(api.ContainerEvent) {})
+	assert.NilError(t, err)
+}
+
+// TestWaitPreStart_RaceNilErrorAndResult stress-tests the scheduler outcome
+// when ContainerWait closes a successful stream cleanly: Result has the exit
+// code and Error sends nil at the same instant. Either branch of the outer
+// select must end on the Result-based success, with no spurious failure.
+func TestWaitPreStart_RaceNilErrorAndResult(t *testing.T) {
+	for i := 0; i < 100; i++ {
+		resultC := make(chan container.WaitResponse, 1)
+		errC := make(chan error, 1)
+		resultC <- container.WaitResponse{StatusCode: 0}
+		errC <- nil
+		waitRes := client.ContainerWaitResult{Result: resultC, Error: errC}
+		assert.NilError(t, waitPreStart(t.Context(), "web", 0, waitRes))
+	}
+}
+
+// TestWaitPreStart_RaceRealErrorAndResult stress-tests the opposite scenario:
+// a real transport error on Error races with a stale Result. The Error must
+// always win — the function must never silently drop the failure and return
+// success based on Result.
+func TestWaitPreStart_RaceRealErrorAndResult(t *testing.T) {
+	for i := 0; i < 100; i++ {
+		resultC := make(chan container.WaitResponse, 1)
+		errC := make(chan error, 1)
+		resultC <- container.WaitResponse{StatusCode: 0}
+		errC <- fmt.Errorf("daemon: connection lost")
+		waitRes := client.ContainerWaitResult{Result: resultC, Error: errC}
+		err := waitPreStart(t.Context(), "web", 0, waitRes)
+		assert.ErrorContains(t, err, "connection lost")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/Dockerfile b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a04cacd2ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+#   Copyright 2020 Docker Compose CLI authors
+
+#   Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+#   you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+#   You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+#       http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+#   Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#   distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+#   WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+#   See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+#   limitations under the License.
+
+FROM alpine
+RUN printf '#!/bin/sh\necho "built-image-marker"\n' > /usr/local/bin/built-marker \
+    && chmod +x /usr/local/bin/built-marker
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/compose-build.yaml b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/compose-build.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a47ecf0d88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/compose-build.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+services:
+  sample:
+    build:
+      context: .
+    command: sh -c 'cat /shared/marker.txt && sleep 5'
+    volumes:
+      - data:/shared
+    pre_start:
+      # No image specified - must fall back to the service's built image.
+      - command: sh -c 'built-marker > /shared/marker.txt'
+volumes:
+  data:
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/compose-error.yaml b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/compose-error.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7062611946
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/compose-error.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+services:
+  sample:
+    image: alpine
+    command: sh -c 'sleep 30'
+    pre_start:
+      - image: alpine
+        command: sh -c 'exit 17'
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/compose-success.yaml b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/compose-success.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fb448ca25d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/compose-success.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+services:
+  sample:
+    image: alpine
+    command: sh -c 'cat /shared/init.txt && sleep 5'
+    volumes:
+      - data:/shared
+    pre_start:
+      - image: alpine
+        command: sh -c 'echo "initialized" > /shared/init.txt'
+volumes:
+  data:
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/idempotent/compose.yaml b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/idempotent/compose.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e00ab31f58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/idempotent/compose.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+services:
+  sample:
+    image: alpine
+    command: sh -c 'sleep 30'
+    volumes:
+      - data:/shared
+    pre_start:
+      - image: alpine
+        command: sh -c 'echo $(cat /proc/sys/kernel/random/uuid) >> /shared/tokens.txt'
+volumes:
+  data:
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/mid-failure/compose.yaml b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/mid-failure/compose.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2019b178fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/mid-failure/compose.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+services:
+  sample:
+    image: alpine
+    command: sh -c 'sleep 30'
+    volumes:
+      - data:/shared
+    pre_start:
+      - image: alpine
+        command: sh -c 'echo ran-0 >> /shared/hooks.txt'
+      - image: alpine
+        command: sh -c 'exit 17'
+volumes:
+  data:
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/scaled/compose.yaml b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/scaled/compose.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4396b0a209
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/scaled/compose.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+services:
+  sample:
+    image: alpine
+    command: sh -c 'sleep 30'
+    deploy:
+      replicas: 2
+    volumes:
+      - data:/shared
+    pre_start:
+      - image: alpine
+        command: sh -c 'echo "ran" >> /shared/log'
+volumes:
+  data:
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/sequential/compose.yaml b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/sequential/compose.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7c73311978
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/sequential/compose.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+services:
+  sample:
+    image: alpine
+    command: sh -c 'sleep 30'
+    volumes:
+      - data:/shared
+    pre_start:
+      - image: alpine
+        command: sh -c 'echo A >> /shared/out'
+      - image: alpine
+        command: sh -c 'echo B >> /shared/out'
+volumes:
+  data:
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/spec-change/compose.v1.yaml b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/spec-change/compose.v1.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2bfa90679d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/spec-change/compose.v1.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+services:
+  sample:
+    image: alpine
+    command: sh -c 'sleep 30'
+    volumes:
+      - data:/shared
+    pre_start:
+      - image: alpine
+        command: sh -c 'echo v1 >> /shared/versions.txt'
+volumes:
+  data:
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/spec-change/compose.v2.yaml b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/spec-change/compose.v2.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..11347aaf5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/e2e/fixtures/pre_start/spec-change/compose.v2.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+services:
+  sample:
+    image: alpine
+    command: sh -c 'sleep 30'
+    volumes:
+      - data:/shared
+    pre_start:
+      - image: alpine
+        command: sh -c 'echo v2 >> /shared/versions.txt'
+volumes:
+  data:
diff --git a/pkg/e2e/hooks_test.go b/pkg/e2e/hooks_test.go
index b77500c6bf..7623c6da64 100644
--- a/pkg/e2e/hooks_test.go
+++ b/pkg/e2e/hooks_test.go
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 package e2e
 
 import (
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -23,6 +24,17 @@ import (
 	"gotest.tools/v3/icmd"
 )
 
+// wcLineCount parses the leading integer from a `wc -l <file>` stdout, whose
+// shape is "<count> <filename>". Fails the test if the output cannot be parsed.
+func wcLineCount(t *testing.T, stdout string) int {
+	t.Helper()
+	fields := strings.Fields(stdout)
+	assert.Assert(t, len(fields) > 0, "expected wc -l output, got: %q", stdout)
+	n, err := strconv.Atoi(fields[0])
+	assert.NilError(t, err, "expected leading integer in wc -l output, got: %q", stdout)
+	return n
+}
+
 func TestPostStartHookInError(t *testing.T) {
 	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
 	const projectName = "hooks-post-start-failure"
@@ -107,3 +119,223 @@ func TestPostStartAndPreStopHook(t *testing.T) {
 	res := c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", "fixtures/hooks/compose.yaml", "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d")
 	res.Assert(t, icmd.Expected{ExitCode: 0})
 }
+
+func TestPreStartHookSuccess(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
+	const projectName = "hooks-pre-start-success"
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", "fixtures/pre_start/compose-success.yaml", "--project-name", projectName, "down", "-v", "--remove-orphans", "-t", "0")
+	})
+
+	res := c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", "fixtures/pre_start/compose-success.yaml", "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--wait")
+	res.Assert(t, icmd.Expected{ExitCode: 0})
+
+	// Service should be able to read the file written by the pre_start hook.
+	logs := c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", "fixtures/pre_start/compose-success.yaml", "--project-name", projectName, "logs", "sample")
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(logs.Combined(), "initialized"), logs.Combined())
+}
+
+func TestPreStartHookInError(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
+	const projectName = "hooks-pre-start-failure"
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", "fixtures/pre_start/compose-error.yaml", "--project-name", projectName, "down", "-v", "--remove-orphans", "-t", "0")
+	})
+
+	res := c.RunDockerComposeCmdNoCheck(t, "-f", "fixtures/pre_start/compose-error.yaml", "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d")
+	res.Assert(t, icmd.Expected{ExitCode: 1})
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(res.Combined(), "pre_start"), res.Combined())
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(res.Combined(), "17"), res.Combined())
+
+	// The service container should exist but not be running.
+	ps := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "ps", "-a", "--filter", "label=com.docker.compose.project="+projectName, "--format", "{{.Names}} {{.State}}")
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(ps.Combined(), "sample"), ps.Combined())
+	assert.Assert(t, !strings.Contains(ps.Combined(), "running"), ps.Combined())
+}
+
+func TestPreStartHookBuildInheritance(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
+	const projectName = "hooks-pre-start-build"
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", "fixtures/pre_start/compose-build.yaml", "--project-name", projectName, "down", "-v", "--remove-orphans", "--rmi", "local", "-t", "0")
+	})
+
+	res := c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", "fixtures/pre_start/compose-build.yaml", "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--wait")
+	res.Assert(t, icmd.Expected{ExitCode: 0})
+
+	logs := c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", "fixtures/pre_start/compose-build.yaml", "--project-name", projectName, "logs", "sample")
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(logs.Combined(), "built-image-marker"), logs.Combined())
+}
+
+func TestPreStartHookIdempotentReUp(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
+	const (
+		projectName = "hooks-pre-start-idempotent"
+		composeFile = "fixtures/pre_start/idempotent/compose.yaml"
+	)
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "down", "-v", "--remove-orphans", "-t", "0")
+	})
+
+	// First up: hook writes one unique token.
+	c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--wait")
+
+	// Probe: exactly 1 line in the tokens file.
+	probe := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "wc", "-l", "/mnt/tokens.txt")
+	assert.Equal(t, wcLineCount(t, probe.Stdout()), 1, "expected 1 token line after first up, got: %s", probe.Stdout())
+
+	// Second up with no spec change: service is already running so the hook must NOT re-run.
+	c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--wait")
+
+	// Probe again: still exactly 1 line.
+	probe2 := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "wc", "-l", "/mnt/tokens.txt")
+	assert.Equal(t, wcLineCount(t, probe2.Stdout()), 1, "expected 1 token line after idempotent re-up, got: %s", probe2.Stdout())
+}
+
+func TestPreStartHookReRunOnSpecChange(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
+	const (
+		projectName = "hooks-pre-start-spec-change"
+		composeV1   = "fixtures/pre_start/spec-change/compose.v1.yaml"
+		composeV2   = "fixtures/pre_start/spec-change/compose.v2.yaml"
+	)
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeV2, "--project-name", projectName, "down", "-v", "--remove-orphans", "-t", "0")
+	})
+
+	// First up with v1 spec: hook appends "v1".
+	c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeV1, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--wait")
+
+	// Probe: file contains "v1".
+	probe1 := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "cat", "/mnt/versions.txt")
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(probe1.Stdout(), "v1"), "expected v1 after first up, got: %s", probe1.Stdout())
+	assert.Assert(t, !strings.Contains(probe1.Stdout(), "v2"), "did not expect v2 yet, got: %s", probe1.Stdout())
+
+	// Second up with v2 spec: hook command changed, container recreated, hook runs again and appends "v2".
+	c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeV2, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--wait")
+
+	// Probe: file contains both v1 and v2.
+	probe2 := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "cat", "/mnt/versions.txt")
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(probe2.Stdout(), "v1"), "expected v1 still present, got: %s", probe2.Stdout())
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(probe2.Stdout(), "v2"), "expected v2 appended after spec change, got: %s", probe2.Stdout())
+}
+
+func TestPreStartHookForceRecreate(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
+	const (
+		projectName = "hooks-pre-start-force-recreate"
+		composeFile = "fixtures/pre_start/idempotent/compose.yaml"
+	)
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "down", "-v", "--remove-orphans", "-t", "0")
+	})
+
+	// First up: hook writes one unique token.
+	c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--wait")
+
+	probe1 := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "wc", "-l", "/mnt/tokens.txt")
+	assert.Equal(t, wcLineCount(t, probe1.Stdout()), 1, "expected 1 token line after first up, got: %s", probe1.Stdout())
+
+	// Force-recreate: container is rebuilt so the hook must run again.
+	c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--force-recreate", "--wait")
+
+	// Probe: now 2 lines (one from each up).
+	probe2 := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "wc", "-l", "/mnt/tokens.txt")
+	assert.Equal(t, wcLineCount(t, probe2.Stdout()), 2, "expected 2 token lines after --force-recreate, got: %s", probe2.Stdout())
+}
+
+func TestPreStartHookMidSequenceFailure(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
+	const (
+		projectName = "hooks-pre-start-mid-failure"
+		composeFile = "fixtures/pre_start/mid-failure/compose.yaml"
+	)
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "down", "-v", "--remove-orphans", "-t", "0")
+	})
+
+	// Hook 0 succeeds; hook 1 exits with code 17. up must fail.
+	res := c.RunDockerComposeCmdNoCheck(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d")
+	res.Assert(t, icmd.Expected{ExitCode: 1})
+
+	// Error must point at hook index 1 (not 0) and report exit code 17.
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(res.Combined(), "pre_start[1]"), "expected pre_start[1] in output, got: %s", res.Combined())
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(res.Combined(), "17"), "expected exit code 17 in output, got: %s", res.Combined())
+
+	// Hook 0 must have run before hook 1 failed: the file must contain "ran-0".
+	probe := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "cat", "/mnt/hooks.txt")
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(probe.Stdout(), "ran-0"), "expected hook 0 output in volume, got: %s", probe.Stdout())
+
+	// The service container must exist but not be running.
+	ps := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "ps", "-a", "--filter", "label=com.docker.compose.project="+projectName, "--format", "{{.Names}} {{.State}}")
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.Contains(ps.Combined(), "sample"), "expected service container in ps output, got: %s", ps.Combined())
+	assert.Assert(t, !strings.Contains(ps.Combined(), "running"), "service container must not be running, got: %s", ps.Combined())
+}
+
+func TestPreStartHookSequentialOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
+	const (
+		projectName = "hooks-pre-start-sequential"
+		composeFile = "fixtures/pre_start/sequential/compose.yaml"
+	)
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "down", "-v", "--remove-orphans", "-t", "0")
+	})
+
+	c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--wait")
+
+	// File must contain A then B in that exact order.
+	probe := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "cat", "/mnt/out")
+	assert.Equal(t, probe.Stdout(), "A\nB\n", "expected hooks to run in order A then B")
+}
+
+func TestPreStartHookNotReRunOnScaleUp(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
+	const (
+		projectName = "hooks-pre-start-scale-up"
+		composeFile = "fixtures/pre_start/idempotent/compose.yaml"
+	)
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "down", "-v", "--remove-orphans", "-t", "0")
+	})
+
+	c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--wait")
+
+	probe1 := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "wc", "-l", "/mnt/tokens.txt")
+	assert.Equal(t, wcLineCount(t, probe1.Stdout()), 1, "expected 1 token after first up, got: %s", probe1.Stdout())
+
+	// Scale up: the new replica must NOT re-run pre_start because another replica is already running.
+	c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--scale", "sample=2", "--wait")
+
+	probe2 := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "wc", "-l", "/mnt/tokens.txt")
+	assert.Equal(t, wcLineCount(t, probe2.Stdout()), 1, "expected still 1 token after scale-up, got: %s", probe2.Stdout())
+}
+
+func TestPreStartHookRunsOnceForScaledService(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewParallelCLI(t)
+	const (
+		projectName = "hooks-pre-start-scaled"
+		composeFile = "fixtures/pre_start/scaled/compose.yaml"
+	)
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "down", "-v", "--remove-orphans", "-t", "0")
+	})
+
+	c.RunDockerComposeCmd(t, "-f", composeFile, "--project-name", projectName, "up", "-d", "--wait")
+
+	// per_replica: false (default) → hook must run ONCE for the whole service,
+	// even with deploy.replicas: 2.
+	probe := c.RunDockerCmd(t, "run", "--rm", "-v", projectName+"_data:/mnt", "alpine", "wc", "-l", "/mnt/log")
+	assert.Assert(t, strings.HasPrefix(strings.TrimSpace(probe.Stdout()), "1 "),
+		"expected hook to run exactly once across replicas, got: %q", probe.Stdout())
+}