diff --git a/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index e4f0a07..8152929 100644
--- a/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ repos:
     hooks:
       - id: build-dist
         name: Build dist
-        entry: npm run build
+        entry: bash -c 'node_version=$(node --version); if [[ ! "$node_version" =~ ^v20\. ]]; then echo "Error - Node.js v20 is required (found $node_version). Use nvm to switch to Node 20."; exit 1; fi; npm run build'
         language: system
         pass_filenames: false
         files: ^(index\.js|lib/.*\.js)$
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 1025fcc..1e7ac05 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -89,17 +89,26 @@ The action uses `@vercel/ncc` to compile all dependencies into a single `dist/in
 To build and commit dist after making changes:
 
 ```bash
-# Ensure you're using Node v20 (use nvm if installed)
+# Method 1: Use the helper script
+./scripts/use-node-20.sh  # Switches to Node 20
+npm run build
+git add dist/index.js
+git commit -m "Rebuild dist"
+
+# Method 2: Manual with nvm
 nvm use  # Reads .nvmrc and switches to Node 20.9.0
 node --version  # Should show v20.x.x
-
-# Build and commit
 npm run build
 git add dist/index.js
 git commit -m "Rebuild dist"
 ```
 
-The pre-commit hooks will ensure dist is up to date before allowing commits.
+**Important**: The pre-commit hooks will:
+1. Verify you're using Node 20 before building dist
+2. Automatically rebuild dist when source files change
+3. Prevent commits if dist is out of date
+
+If you get an error about Node version, switch to Node 20 using `nvm use` or `./scripts/use-node-20.sh`.
 
 ### Pre-commit Hooks
 
diff --git a/scripts/use-node-20.sh b/scripts/use-node-20.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..1e72088
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/use-node-20.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Helper script to ensure Node 20 is being used
+
+# Check if nvm is available
+if ! command -v nvm &> /dev/null; then
+  if [ -f "$HOME/.nvm/nvm.sh" ]; then
+    source "$HOME/.nvm/nvm.sh"
+  else
+    echo "Error: nvm is not installed or not loaded"
+    echo "Please install nvm or source it in your shell"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+fi
+
+# Install Node 20 if needed and switch to it
+echo "Switching to Node 20..."
+nvm install
+nvm use
+
+# Verify we're on Node 20
+node_version=$(node --version)
+if [[ ! "$node_version" =~ ^v20\. ]]; then
+  echo "Error: Failed to switch to Node 20 (current: $node_version)"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "✓ Using Node $node_version"