diff --git a/backend/library/library.go b/backend/library/library.go
index b464c00..92855a5 100644
--- a/backend/library/library.go
+++ b/backend/library/library.go
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ type Library struct {
 }
 
 // NewLibrary creates a new library with the given configuration.
+// A nil config is permitted; the library will be inert until a valid
+// configuration is supplied via the LibraryConfigChanged event.
 func NewLibrary(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	logger *slog.Logger,
@@ -39,7 +41,7 @@ func NewLibrary(
 	db *database.DB,
 ) (*Library, error) {
 	if conf == nil {
-		return nil, errors.New("nil config for library")
+		conf = &Config{}
 	}
 
 	if err := conf.Validate(); err != nil {
diff --git a/lefthook.yml b/lefthook.yml
index 765f52b..94ec238 100644
--- a/lefthook.yml
+++ b/lefthook.yml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ pre-commit:
 
     golangci-lint:
       glob: "*.go"
-      run: golangci-lint run --timeout 5m -tags webkit2_41 {staged_files}
+      run: golangci-lint run --timeout 5m --build-tags webkit2_41 ./...
 
     codegen-check:
       glob: "*.{go,sql,templ}"