diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 1d8010e..5833385 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # =============================================================================
-# Knowledge Genome - Makefile v. 1.2.2
+# Knowledge Genome - Makefile v. 1.2.3
 # Orchestrates the setup and management of the knowledge base.
 # =============================================================================
 
diff --git a/templates/pre-commit.sh b/templates/pre-commit.sh
index de2fde4..27f5936 100644
--- a/templates/pre-commit.sh
+++ b/templates/pre-commit.sh
@@ -11,9 +11,8 @@ set -euo pipefail
 FAILED=0
 
 # Verify git-crypt is initialized
-if [[ ! -d ".git-crypt" ]]; then
-    printf "\n\033[0;31m[CRITICAL] git-crypt not initialized.\033[0m\n"
-    printf "Run 'git-crypt init' and 'make setup' before committing.\n"
+if ! git-crypt status >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    printf "\n[CRITICAL] git-crypt not initialized.\n"
     exit 1
 fi