diff --git a/include/villas/hook.hpp b/include/villas/hook.hpp
index 253b8784c..073a63c09 100644
--- a/include/villas/hook.hpp
+++ b/include/villas/hook.hpp
@@ -147,6 +147,20 @@ public:
 
 	virtual void setRate(double rate, double maxRate = -1) = 0;
 
+	void parse()
+	{
+		assert(state == STATE_INITIALIZED);
+
+		state = STATE_PARSED;
+	}
+
+	void init()
+	{
+		parse();
+		check();
+		prepare();
+		start();
+	}
 };
 
 class HookFactory : public plugin::Plugin {