I've found the 'hook' mechanism to be really useful. I use the same thing in an app I'm writing (in cljs) which auto creates web applications via data schematics.
When my app compiles a new app there's a little routine that adds/removes pre-defined function calls from within a table. So then when cljs compiles the client side code (which performs dead code elimination) the functions that are hooked into the table get added, but the others are eliminated. The cljs dead code elimination process couldn't do this alone; it required being able to hook/unhook code depending upon the app schematic.
Anyways, just wanted add to your point on how useful this feature can be.
