diff --git a/.pre-commit-hooks.yaml b/.pre-commit-hooks.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b88e9ed2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.pre-commit-hooks.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+- id: numpydoc-validation
+  name: numpydoc-validation
+  description: This hook validates that docstrings in committed files adhere to numpydoc standards.
+  entry: validate-docstrings
+  require_serial: true
+  language: python
+  types: [python]
diff --git a/doc/validation.rst b/doc/validation.rst
index ee6e08d2..09196ea5 100644
--- a/doc/validation.rst
+++ b/doc/validation.rst
@@ -2,6 +2,83 @@
 Validation
 ==========
 
+Docstring Validation using Pre-Commit Hook
+------------------------------------------
+
+To enable validation of docstrings as you commit files, add the
+following to your ``.pre-commit-config.yaml`` file:
+
+.. code-block:: yaml
+
+    - repo: https://github.com/numpy/numpydoc
+      rev: <version>
+      hooks:
+        - id: numpydoc-validation
+
+After installing ``numpydoc``, run the following to see available
+command line options for this hook:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+    $ python -m numpydoc.hooks.validate_docstrings --help
+
+Using a config file provides additional customization. Both
+``pyproject.toml`` and ``setup.cfg`` are supported; however, if the
+project contains both you must use the ``pyproject.toml`` file.
+The example below configures the pre-commit hook to ignore three checks
+and specifies exceptions to the checks ``SS05`` (allow docstrings to
+start with "Process ", "Assess ", or "Access ") and ``GL08`` (allow
+the class/method/function with name "__init__" to not have a docstring).
+
+``pyproject.toml``::
+
+    [tool.numpydoc_validation]
+    ignore = [
+        "EX01",
+        "SA01",
+        "ES01",
+    ]
+    override_SS05 = '^((Process|Assess|Access) )'
+    override_GL08 = '^(__init__)$'
+
+``setup.cfg``::
+
+    [tool:numpydoc_validation]
+    ignore = EX01,SA01,ES01
+    override_SS05 = ^((Process|Assess|Access) )
+    override_GL08 = ^(__init__)$
+
+For more fine-tuned control, you can also include inline comments to tell the
+validation hook to ignore certain checks:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    class SomeClass:  # numpydoc ignore=EX01,SA01,ES01
+        """This is the docstring for SomeClass."""
+
+        def __init__(self):  # numpydoc ignore=GL08
+            pass
+
+If any issues are found when commiting, a report is printed out and the
+commit is halted:
+
+.. code-block:: output
+
+    numpydoc-validation......................................................Failed
+    - hook id: numpydoc-validation
+    - exit code: 1
+
+    +----------------------+----------------------+---------+--------------------------------------+
+    | file                 | item                 | check   | description                          |
+    +======================+======================+=========+======================================+
+    | src/pkg/utils.py:1   | utils                | GL08    | The object does not have a docstring |
+    | src/pkg/utils.py:90  | utils.normalize      | PR04    | Parameter "field" has no type        |
+    | src/pkg/module.py:12 | module.MyClass       | GL08    | The object does not have a docstring |
+    | src/pkg/module.py:33 | module.MyClass.parse | RT03    | Return value has no description      |
+    +----------------------+----------------------+---------+--------------------------------------+
+
+See below for a full listing of checks.
+
 Docstring Validation using Python
 ---------------------------------
 
diff --git a/numpydoc/hooks/__init__.py b/numpydoc/hooks/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f05d7fca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/numpydoc/hooks/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+"""Pre-commit hooks using numpydoc."""
diff --git a/numpydoc/hooks/utils.py b/numpydoc/hooks/utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4f1d82aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/numpydoc/hooks/utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+"""Utility functions for pre-commit hooks."""
+
+import itertools
+import os
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Sequence
+
+
+def find_project_root(srcs: Sequence[str]):
+    """
+    Return a directory containing .git, .hg, pyproject.toml, or setup.cfg.
+
+    That directory can be one of the directories passed in ``srcs`` or their
+    common parent. If no directory in the tree contains a marker that would
+    specify it's the project root, the root of the file system is returned.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    srcs : Sequence[str]
+        The filepaths to run the hook on.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    str
+        The project root directory.
+
+    See Also
+    --------
+    black.find_project_root :
+        This function was adapted from
+        `Black <https://github.com/psf/black/blob/main/src/black/files.py>`_.
+    """
+    if not srcs:
+        return Path(".").resolve(), "current directory"
+
+    common_path = Path(
+        os.path.commonpath([Path(src).expanduser().resolve() for src in srcs])
+    )
+
+    for dir in itertools.chain([common_path], common_path.parents):
+        if (dir / "pyproject.toml").is_file():
+            return dir, "pyproject.toml"
+        if (dir / "setup.cfg").is_file():
+            return dir, "setup.cfg"
+        if (dir / ".git").exists() or (dir / ".hg").is_dir():
+            return dir, "version control"
+
+    return dir, "file system root"
diff --git a/numpydoc/hooks/validate_docstrings.py b/numpydoc/hooks/validate_docstrings.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9570ba18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/numpydoc/hooks/validate_docstrings.py
@@ -0,0 +1,423 @@
+"""Run numpydoc validation on contents of a file."""
+
+import argparse
+import ast
+import configparser
+import os
+import re
+import sys
+import tokenize
+
+try:
+    import tomllib
+except ImportError:
+    import tomli as tomllib
+
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Sequence, Tuple, Union
+
+from tabulate import tabulate
+
+from .. import docscrape, validate
+from .utils import find_project_root
+
+
+# inline comments that can suppress individual checks per line
+IGNORE_COMMENT_PATTERN = re.compile("(?:.* numpydoc ignore[=|:] ?)(.+)")
+
+
+class AstValidator(validate.Validator):
+    """
+    Overrides the :class:`Validator` to work entirely with the AST.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    ast_node : ast.AST
+        The node under inspection.
+    filename : os.PathLike
+        The file where the node is defined.
+    obj_name : str
+        A name for the node to use in the listing of issues for the file as a whole.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self, *, ast_node: ast.AST, filename: os.PathLike, obj_name: str
+    ) -> None:
+        self.node: ast.AST = ast_node
+        self.raw_doc: str = ast.get_docstring(self.node, clean=False) or ""
+        self.clean_doc: str = ast.get_docstring(self.node, clean=True)
+        self.doc: docscrape.NumpyDocString = docscrape.NumpyDocString(self.raw_doc)
+
+        self._source_file: os.PathLike = Path(filename).resolve()
+        self._name: str = obj_name
+
+        self.is_class: bool = isinstance(ast_node, ast.ClassDef)
+        self.is_module: bool = isinstance(ast_node, ast.Module)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _load_obj(name):
+        raise NotImplementedError("AstValidator does not support this method.")
+
+    @property
+    def name(self) -> str:
+        return self._name
+
+    @property
+    def is_function_or_method(self) -> bool:
+        return isinstance(self.node, (ast.FunctionDef, ast.AsyncFunctionDef))
+
+    @property
+    def is_generator_function(self) -> bool:
+        if not self.is_function_or_method:
+            return False
+        for child in ast.iter_child_nodes(self.node):
+            if isinstance(child, ast.Expr) and isinstance(child.value, ast.Yield):
+                return True
+        return False
+
+    @property
+    def type(self) -> str:
+        if self.is_function_or_method:
+            return "function"
+        if self.is_class:
+            return "type"
+        if self.is_module:
+            return "module"
+        raise ValueError("Unknown type.")
+
+    @property
+    def source_file_name(self) -> str:
+        return self._source_file
+
+    @property
+    def source_file_def_line(self) -> int:
+        return self.node.lineno if not self.is_module else 1
+
+    @property
+    def signature_parameters(self) -> Tuple[str]:
+        def extract_signature(node):
+            args_node = node.args
+            params = []
+            for arg_type in ["posonlyargs", "args", "vararg", "kwonlyargs", "kwarg"]:
+                entries = getattr(args_node, arg_type)
+                if arg_type in ["vararg", "kwarg"]:
+                    if entries and arg_type == "vararg":
+                        params.append(f"*{entries.arg}")
+                    if entries and arg_type == "kwarg":
+                        params.append(f"**{entries.arg}")
+                else:
+                    params.extend([arg.arg for arg in entries])
+            params = tuple(params)
+            if params and params[0] in {"self", "cls"}:
+                return params[1:]
+            return params
+
+        params = tuple()
+        if self.is_function_or_method:
+            params = extract_signature(self.node)
+        elif self.is_class:
+            for child in self.node.body:
+                if isinstance(child, ast.FunctionDef) and child.name == "__init__":
+                    params = extract_signature(child)
+        return params
+
+    @property
+    def method_source(self) -> str:
+        with open(self.source_file_name) as file:
+            source = ast.get_source_segment(file.read(), self.node)
+        return source
+
+
+class DocstringVisitor(ast.NodeVisitor):
+    """
+    Visits nodes in the AST from a given module and reporting numpydoc issues.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    filepath : str
+        The absolute or relative path to the file to inspect.
+    config : dict
+        Configuration options for reviewing flagged issues.
+    numpydoc_ignore_comments : dict
+        A mapping of line number to checks to ignore.
+        Derived from comments in the source code.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        filepath: str,
+        config: dict,
+        numpydoc_ignore_comments: dict,
+    ) -> None:
+        self.config: dict = config
+        self.numpydoc_ignore_comments = numpydoc_ignore_comments
+        self.filepath: str = filepath
+        self.module_name: str = Path(self.filepath).stem
+        self.stack: list[str] = []
+        self.findings: list = []
+
+    def _ignore_issue(self, node: ast.AST, check: str) -> bool:
+        """
+        Check whether the issue should be ignored.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        node : ast.AST
+            The node under inspection.
+        check : str
+            The code for the check being evaluated.
+
+        Return
+        ------
+        bool
+            Whether the issue should be exluded from the report.
+        """
+        if check in self.config["exclusions"]:
+            return True
+
+        if self.config["overrides"]:
+            try:
+                if check == "GL08":
+                    pattern = self.config["overrides"].get("GL08")
+                    if pattern and re.match(pattern, node.name):
+                        return True
+            except AttributeError:  # ast.Module nodes don't have a name
+                pass
+
+            if check == "SS05":
+                pattern = self.config["overrides"].get("SS05")
+                if pattern and re.match(pattern, ast.get_docstring(node)) is not None:
+                    return True
+
+        try:
+            if check in self.numpydoc_ignore_comments[getattr(node, "lineno", 1)]:
+                return True
+        except KeyError:
+            pass
+
+        return False
+
+    def _get_numpydoc_issues(self, node: ast.AST) -> None:
+        """
+        Get numpydoc validation issues.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        node : ast.AST
+            The node under inspection.
+        """
+        name = ".".join(self.stack)
+        report = validate.validate(
+            name, AstValidator, ast_node=node, filename=self.filepath
+        )
+        self.findings.extend(
+            [
+                [f'{self.filepath}:{report["file_line"]}', name, check, description]
+                for check, description in report["errors"]
+                if not self._ignore_issue(node, check)
+            ]
+        )
+
+    def visit(self, node: ast.AST) -> None:
+        """
+        Visit a node in the AST and report on numpydoc validation issues.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        node : ast.AST
+            The node to visit.
+        """
+        if isinstance(
+            node, (ast.Module, ast.ClassDef, ast.FunctionDef, ast.AsyncFunctionDef)
+        ):
+            self.stack.append(
+                self.module_name if isinstance(node, ast.Module) else node.name
+            )
+            self._get_numpydoc_issues(node)
+            self.generic_visit(node)
+            _ = self.stack.pop()
+
+
+def parse_config(dir_path: os.PathLike = None) -> dict:
+    """
+    Parse config information from a pyproject.toml or setup.cfg file.
+
+    This function looks in the provided directory path first for a
+    pyproject.toml file. If it finds that, it won't look for a setup.cfg
+    file.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    dir_path : os.PathLike
+        An absolute or relative path to a directory containing
+        either a pyproject.toml file specifying a
+        [tool.numpydoc_validation] section or a setup.cfg file
+        specifying a [tool:numpydoc_validation] section.
+        For example, ``~/my_project``. If not provided, the hook
+        will try to find the project root directory.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    dict
+        Config options for the numpydoc validation hook.
+    """
+    options = {"exclusions": [], "overrides": {}}
+    dir_path = Path(dir_path).expanduser().resolve()
+
+    toml_path = dir_path / "pyproject.toml"
+    cfg_path = dir_path / "setup.cfg"
+
+    if toml_path.is_file():
+        with open(toml_path, "rb") as toml_file:
+            pyproject_toml = tomllib.load(toml_file)
+            config = pyproject_toml.get("tool", {}).get("numpydoc_validation", {})
+            options["exclusions"] = config.get("ignore", [])
+            for check in ["SS05", "GL08"]:
+                regex = config.get(f"override_{check}")
+                if regex:
+                    options["overrides"][check] = re.compile(regex)
+    elif cfg_path.is_file():
+        config = configparser.ConfigParser()
+        config.read(cfg_path)
+        numpydoc_validation_config_section = "tool:numpydoc_validation"
+        try:
+            try:
+                options["exclusions"] = config.get(
+                    numpydoc_validation_config_section, "ignore"
+                ).split(",")
+            except configparser.NoOptionError:
+                pass
+            try:
+                options["overrides"]["SS05"] = re.compile(
+                    config.get(numpydoc_validation_config_section, "override_SS05")
+                )
+            except configparser.NoOptionError:
+                pass
+            try:
+                options["overrides"]["GL08"] = re.compile(
+                    config.get(numpydoc_validation_config_section, "override_GL08")
+                )
+            except configparser.NoOptionError:
+                pass
+        except configparser.NoSectionError:
+            pass
+
+    return options
+
+
+def process_file(filepath: os.PathLike, config: dict) -> "list[list[str]]":
+    """
+    Run numpydoc validation on a file.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    filepath : path-like
+        The absolute or relative path to the file to inspect.
+    config : dict
+        Configuration options for reviewing flagged issues.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    list[list[str]]
+        A list of [name, check, description] lists for flagged issues.
+    """
+    with open(filepath) as file:
+        module_node = ast.parse(file.read(), filepath)
+
+    with open(filepath) as file:
+        numpydoc_ignore_comments = {}
+        last_declaration = 1
+        declarations = ["def", "class"]
+        for token in tokenize.generate_tokens(file.readline):
+            if token.type == tokenize.NAME and token.string in declarations:
+                last_declaration = token.start[0]
+            if token.type == tokenize.COMMENT:
+                match = re.match(IGNORE_COMMENT_PATTERN, token.string)
+                if match:
+                    rules = match.group(1).split(",")
+                    numpydoc_ignore_comments[last_declaration] = rules
+
+    docstring_visitor = DocstringVisitor(
+        filepath=str(filepath),
+        config=config,
+        numpydoc_ignore_comments=numpydoc_ignore_comments,
+    )
+    docstring_visitor.visit(module_node)
+
+    return docstring_visitor.findings
+
+
+def main(argv: Union[Sequence[str], None] = None) -> int:
+    """Run the numpydoc validation hook."""
+
+    project_root_from_cwd, config_file = find_project_root(["."])
+    config_options = parse_config(project_root_from_cwd)
+    ignored_checks = (
+        "\n  "
+        + "\n  ".join(
+            [
+                f"- {check}: {validate.ERROR_MSGS[check]}"
+                for check in config_options["exclusions"]
+            ]
+        )
+        + "\n"
+    )
+
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
+        description="Run numpydoc validation on files with option to ignore individual checks.",
+        formatter_class=argparse.RawTextHelpFormatter,
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "files", type=str, nargs="+", help="File(s) to run numpydoc validation on."
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--config",
+        type=str,
+        help=(
+            "Path to a directory containing a pyproject.toml or setup.cfg file.\n"
+            "The hook will look for it in the root project directory.\n"
+            "If both are present, only pyproject.toml will be used.\n"
+            "Options must be placed under\n"
+            "    - [tool:numpydoc_validation] for setup.cfg files and\n"
+            "    - [tool.numpydoc_validation] for pyproject.toml files."
+        ),
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--ignore",
+        type=str,
+        nargs="*",
+        help=(
+            f"""Check codes to ignore.{
+                ' Currently ignoring the following from '
+                f'{Path(project_root_from_cwd) / config_file}: {ignored_checks}'
+                'Values provided here will be in addition to the above, unless an alternate config is provided.'
+                if config_options["exclusions"] else ''
+            }"""
+        ),
+    )
+
+    args = parser.parse_args(argv)
+    project_root, _ = find_project_root(args.files)
+    config_options = parse_config(args.config or project_root)
+    config_options["exclusions"].extend(args.ignore or [])
+
+    findings = []
+    for file in args.files:
+        findings.extend(process_file(file, config_options))
+
+    if findings:
+        print(
+            tabulate(
+                findings,
+                headers=["file", "item", "check", "description"],
+                tablefmt="grid",
+                maxcolwidths=50,
+            ),
+            file=sys.stderr,
+        )
+        return 1
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())
diff --git a/numpydoc/tests/hooks/__init__.py b/numpydoc/tests/hooks/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f2d333a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/numpydoc/tests/hooks/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+"""Tests for hooks."""
diff --git a/numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py b/numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6cfa4d47
--- /dev/null
+++ b/numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+"""Test module for hook."""  # numpydoc ignore=ES01,SA01
+
+
+def some_function(name):
+    """Welcome to some function."""
+    pass
+
+
+class MyClass:
+    """This is MyClass."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        pass
+
+    def __repr__(self):  # numpydoc ignore=GL08
+        pass
+
+    def do_something(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        """
+        Do something.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        *args
+        """
+        pass
+
+    def process(self):
+        """Process stuff."""
+        pass
diff --git a/numpydoc/tests/hooks/test_utils.py b/numpydoc/tests/hooks/test_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5db63762
--- /dev/null
+++ b/numpydoc/tests/hooks/test_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+"""Test utility functions for hooks."""
+
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+
+from numpydoc.hooks import utils
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    ["reason_file", "files", "expected_reason"],
+    [
+        (None, None, "current directory"),
+        (None, ["x.py"], "file system root"),
+        (".git", ["x.py"], "version control"),
+        ("pyproject.toml", ["x.py"], "pyproject.toml"),
+        ("setup.cfg", ["x.py"], "setup.cfg"),
+    ],
+)
+def test_find_project_root(tmp_path, request, reason_file, files, expected_reason):
+    """Test the process of finding the project root."""
+    if reason_file:
+        (tmp_path / reason_file).touch()
+
+    if files:
+        expected_dir = Path("/") if expected_reason == "file system root" else tmp_path
+        for file in files:
+            (tmp_path / file).touch()
+    else:
+        expected_dir = request.config.rootdir
+
+    root_dir, reason = utils.find_project_root(files if not files else [tmp_path])
+    assert reason == expected_reason
+    assert root_dir == expected_dir
diff --git a/numpydoc/tests/hooks/test_validate_hook.py b/numpydoc/tests/hooks/test_validate_hook.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7c8b8997
--- /dev/null
+++ b/numpydoc/tests/hooks/test_validate_hook.py
@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+"""Test the numpydoc validate pre-commit hook."""
+
+import inspect
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+
+from numpydoc.hooks.validate_docstrings import main
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def example_module(request):
+    fullpath = (
+        Path(request.config.rootdir)
+        / "numpydoc"
+        / "tests"
+        / "hooks"
+        / "example_module.py"
+    )
+    return str(fullpath.relative_to(request.config.rootdir))
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("config", [None, "fake_dir"])
+def test_validate_hook(example_module, config, capsys):
+    """Test that a file is correctly processed in the absence of config files."""
+
+    expected = inspect.cleandoc(
+        """
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | file                                      | item                                | check   | description                                        |
+        +===========================================+=====================================+=========+====================================================+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:1  | example_module                      | EX01    | No examples section found                          |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:4  | example_module.some_function        | ES01    | No extended summary found                          |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:4  | example_module.some_function        | PR01    | Parameters {'name'} not documented                 |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:4  | example_module.some_function        | SA01    | See Also section not found                         |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:4  | example_module.some_function        | EX01    | No examples section found                          |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:9  | example_module.MyClass              | ES01    | No extended summary found                          |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:9  | example_module.MyClass              | SA01    | See Also section not found                         |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:9  | example_module.MyClass              | EX01    | No examples section found                          |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:12 | example_module.MyClass.__init__     | GL08    | The object does not have a docstring               |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | ES01    | No extended summary found                          |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | PR01    | Parameters {'**kwargs'} not documented             |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | PR07    | Parameter "*args" has no description               |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | SA01    | See Also section not found                         |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | EX01    | No examples section found                          |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:28 | example_module.MyClass.process      | SS05    | Summary must start with infinitive verb, not third |
+        |                                           |                                     |         | person (e.g. use "Generate" instead of             |
+        |                                           |                                     |         | "Generates")                                       |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:28 | example_module.MyClass.process      | ES01    | No extended summary found                          |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:28 | example_module.MyClass.process      | SA01    | See Also section not found                         |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:28 | example_module.MyClass.process      | EX01    | No examples section found                          |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        """
+    )
+
+    args = [example_module]
+    if config:
+        args.append(f"--{config=}")
+
+    return_code = main(args)
+    assert return_code == 1
+    assert capsys.readouterr().err.rstrip() == expected
+
+
+def test_validate_hook_with_ignore(example_module, capsys):
+    """
+    Test that a file is correctly processed in the absence of config files
+    with command line ignore options.
+    """
+
+    expected = inspect.cleandoc(
+        """
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | file                                      | item                                | check   | description                                        |
+        +===========================================+=====================================+=========+====================================================+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:4  | example_module.some_function        | PR01    | Parameters {'name'} not documented                 |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:12 | example_module.MyClass.__init__     | GL08    | The object does not have a docstring               |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | PR01    | Parameters {'**kwargs'} not documented             |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | PR07    | Parameter "*args" has no description               |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:28 | example_module.MyClass.process      | SS05    | Summary must start with infinitive verb, not third |
+        |                                           |                                     |         | person (e.g. use "Generate" instead of             |
+        |                                           |                                     |         | "Generates")                                       |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------------------+
+        """
+    )
+
+    return_code = main([example_module, "--ignore", "ES01", "SA01", "EX01"])
+    assert return_code == 1
+    assert capsys.readouterr().err.rstrip() == expected
+
+
+def test_validate_hook_with_toml_config(example_module, tmp_path, capsys):
+    """
+    Test that a file is correctly processed with the config coming from
+    a pyproject.toml file.
+    """
+
+    with open(tmp_path / "pyproject.toml", "w") as config_file:
+        config_file.write(
+            inspect.cleandoc(
+                """
+                [tool.numpydoc_validation]
+                ignore = [
+                    "EX01",
+                    "SA01",
+                    "ES01",
+                ]
+                override_SS05 = '^((Process|Assess|Access) )'
+                override_GL08 = '^(__init__)$'
+                """
+            )
+        )
+
+    expected = inspect.cleandoc(
+        """
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------+
+        | file                                      | item                                | check   | description                            |
+        +===========================================+=====================================+=========+========================================+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:4  | example_module.some_function        | PR01    | Parameters {'name'} not documented     |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | PR01    | Parameters {'**kwargs'} not documented |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | PR07    | Parameter "*args" has no description   |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------+
+        """
+    )
+
+    return_code = main([example_module, "--config", str(tmp_path)])
+    assert return_code == 1
+    assert capsys.readouterr().err.rstrip() == expected
+
+
+def test_validate_hook_with_setup_cfg(example_module, tmp_path, capsys):
+    """
+    Test that a file is correctly processed with the config coming from
+    a setup.cfg file.
+    """
+
+    with open(tmp_path / "setup.cfg", "w") as config_file:
+        config_file.write(
+            inspect.cleandoc(
+                """
+                [tool:numpydoc_validation]
+                ignore = EX01,SA01,ES01
+                override_SS05 = ^((Process|Assess|Access) )
+                override_GL08 = ^(__init__)$
+                """
+            )
+        )
+
+    expected = inspect.cleandoc(
+        """
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------+
+        | file                                      | item                                | check   | description                            |
+        +===========================================+=====================================+=========+========================================+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:4  | example_module.some_function        | PR01    | Parameters {'name'} not documented     |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | PR01    | Parameters {'**kwargs'} not documented |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------+
+        | numpydoc/tests/hooks/example_module.py:18 | example_module.MyClass.do_something | PR07    | Parameter "*args" has no description   |
+        +-------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+---------+----------------------------------------+
+        """
+    )
+
+    return_code = main([example_module, "--config", str(tmp_path)])
+    assert return_code == 1
+    assert capsys.readouterr().err.rstrip() == expected
+
+
+def test_validate_hook_help(capsys):
+    """Test that help section is displaying."""
+
+    with pytest.raises(SystemExit):
+        return_code = main(["--help"])
+        assert return_code == 0
+
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert "--ignore" in out
+    assert "--config" in out
diff --git a/numpydoc/validate.py b/numpydoc/validate.py
index b975f831..8c7f9b83 100644
--- a/numpydoc/validate.py
+++ b/numpydoc/validate.py
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ def _check_desc(desc, code_no_desc, code_no_upper, code_no_period, **kwargs):
     return errs
 
 
-def validate(obj_name):
+def validate(obj_name, validator_cls=None, **validator_kwargs):
     """
     Validate the docstring.
 
@@ -461,6 +461,11 @@ def validate(obj_name):
         'pandas.read_csv'. The string must include the full, unabbreviated
         package/module names, i.e. 'pandas.read_csv', not 'pd.read_csv' or
         'read_csv'.
+    validator_cls : Validator, optional
+        The Validator class to use. By default, :class:`Validator` will be used.
+    **validator_kwargs
+        Keyword arguments to pass to ``validator_cls`` upon initialization.
+        Note that ``obj_name`` will be passed as a named argument as well.
 
     Returns
     -------
@@ -493,10 +498,13 @@ def validate(obj_name):
     they are validated, are not documented more than in the source code of this
     function.
     """
-    if isinstance(obj_name, str):
-        doc = Validator(get_doc_object(Validator._load_obj(obj_name)))
+    if not validator_cls:
+        if isinstance(obj_name, str):
+            doc = Validator(get_doc_object(Validator._load_obj(obj_name)))
+        else:
+            doc = Validator(obj_name)
     else:
-        doc = Validator(obj_name)
+        doc = validator_cls(obj_name=obj_name, **validator_kwargs)
 
     errs = []
     if not doc.raw_doc:
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index a1f52209..8ce12840 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -3,3 +3,7 @@ addopts =
     --showlocals --doctest-modules -ra --cov-report= --cov=numpydoc
     --junit-xml=junit-results.xml --ignore=doc/
 junit_family = xunit2
+
+[options.entry_points]
+console_scripts =
+    validate-docstrings = numpydoc.hooks.validate_docstrings:main
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index c2a60bb0..4825254e 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def read(fname):
 
 setup(
     name="numpydoc",
-    packages=["numpydoc"],
+    packages=["numpydoc", "numpydoc.hooks"],
     version=version,
     description="Sphinx extension to support docstrings in Numpy format",
     long_description=read("README.rst"),
@@ -52,7 +52,12 @@ def read(fname):
     author_email="pav@iki.fi",
     url="https://numpydoc.readthedocs.io",
     license="BSD",
-    install_requires=["sphinx>=5", "Jinja2>=2.10"],
+    install_requires=[
+        "sphinx>=5",
+        "Jinja2>=2.10",
+        "tabulate>=0.8.10",
+        "tomli>=1.1.0;python_version<'3.11'",
+    ],
     python_requires=">=3.8",
     extras_require={
         "testing": [