# Go

> Best practices for working with Go codebases. Use when writing, debugging, or exploring Go code, including reading dependency sources and documentation.

- Skill: `grafana/go` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add grafana/go`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/grafana/go/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Docs & Writing
- License: MIT
- Author: grafana (https://skillmd.com/u/grafana)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/grafana/go

---


# Go Programming Language

Guidelines for working effectively with Go projects.

## Reading Dependency Source Files

To see source files from a dependency, or to answer questions about a dependency:

```bash
go mod download -json MODULE
```

Use the returned Dir path to read the source files.

## Reading Documentation

Use go doc to read documentation for packages, types, functions, etc:

```bash
go doc foo.Bar       # Documentation for a specific symbol
go doc -all foo      # All documentation for a package
```

## Running Programs

Use go run instead of go build to avoid leaving behind build artifacts:

```bash
go run .             # Run the current package
go run ./cmd/foo     # Run a specific command
```