The properties of nickel-base superalloy pipes are determined by microstructure, and the microstructure can be tuned by hot extrusion process. There are two major questions in hot extrusion: one is how to successfully extrude pipes without apparent defects, the other is how to make the microstructure under control. However, up to now, there is no systematical report about hot extrusion process and microstructure control for nickel-base superalloys. In present study, a series of technical control principles for hot extrusion are proposed basing on practical manufacture facts, large amounts of experimental studies and finite element simulation of several typical nickel-base superalloys. The common used technical control principles can be applied for hot extrusion parameters determination to maintain safety hot extrusion and microstructure control. In the investigation of microstructure control based hot extrusion principles, the action rules of different working parameters on hot extrusion field quantities were established. The upper and lower limits of different principles were obtained in consideration of materials characteristics and extruder conditions. The limitations were overlapped on the action rules to determine the optimized hot extrusion parameters. The microstructure-based control principle proposed in present work can provide theoretical guidance for hot extrusion parameter determination and optimization.