diff --git a/.github/workflows/standard.yml b/.github/workflows/standard.yml
index 91c3758a..4d4dadee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/standard.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/standard.yml
@@ -37,8 +37,14 @@ jobs:
 
         # replace nulls with spaces
         sed -i 's/\x0/ /g' $HOME/project_files.txt
+
+        # set output
+        echo "PROJECT_FILES=$(cat $HOME/project_files.txt)" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
   pre-commit:
+    needs:
+      - get_changed_files
     name: 'pre-commit checks'
     uses: pcdshub/pcds-ci-helpers/.github/workflows/pre-commit.yml@master
     with:
-      args: "--files $(cat $HOME/project_files.txt)"
+      args: "--files ${{ needs.get_changed_files.outputs.PROJECT_FILES }}"