# Geth

> Go Ethereum (geth) — CLI, JSON-RPC, Clef, abigen, and developer workflows.

- Skill: `hairyf/geth` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 19 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add hairyf/geth`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/hairyf/geth/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: hairyf (https://skillmd.com/u/hairyf)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/hairyf/geth

---


> Skill based on go-ethereum (geth), generated 2026-02-09. Official docs: https://geth.ethereum.org/docs

Go Ethereum (geth) is the Golang execution-layer client for Ethereum. It runs full/archive/light nodes, exposes JSON-RPC over HTTP/WebSocket/IPC, and ships tools like Clef (signer) and abigen (Go contract bindings).

## Core References

| Topic | Description | Reference |
|-------|-------------|-----------|
| Overview | What geth is, executables (geth, clef, abigen, evm, rlpdump), common flows | [core-overview](references/core-overview.md) |
| CLI | Command-line options, subcommands, config file (TOML) | [core-cli](references/core-cli.md) |
| JSON-RPC | Transports (HTTP, WS, IPC), namespaces, security | [core-rpc](references/core-rpc.md) |
| Sync modes | Snap (default), full, archive, light; when to use which | [core-sync-modes](references/core-sync-modes.md) |

## Features

### Tools

| Topic | Description | Reference |
|-------|-------------|-----------|
| Clef | Standalone signer, external API, UI API (stdio-ui) | [feature-clef](references/feature-clef.md) |
| abigen | Go contract bindings from ABI/bytecode, deploy and call | [feature-abigen](references/feature-abigen.md) |
| EVM | Stateless t8n/t9n/b11r, bytecode run for testing and debugging | [features-evm](references/features-evm.md) |
| devp2p | P2P debugging, ENR, node keys, DNS discovery, discv4/discv5, eth protocol tests | [features-devp2p](references/features-devp2p.md) |
| JavaScript console | Interactive console and attach, web3 and management API | [features-console](references/features-console.md) |
| Dev mode | Single-node PoA with prefunded account, instant blocks | [features-dev-mode](references/features-dev-mode.md) |
| Simulated backend | In-process blockchain for Go tests without live node | [features-simulated-backend](references/features-simulated-backend.md) |
| rlpdump | Decode RLP dumps to readable format | [features-rlpdump](references/features-rlpdump.md) |
| ethkey | Keyfile generate, inspect, sign/verify message, change password | [features-ethkey](references/features-ethkey.md) |
| Beacon/Engine API | Post-merge consensus connection, JWT, checkpoint sync | [features-beacon-engine](references/features-beacon-engine.md) |
| Docker | Run geth in Docker; ports, volume, exposing RPC | [features-docker](references/features-docker.md) |
| Kurtosis | Multi-node private network (geth + consensus stack) | [features-kurtosis](references/features-kurtosis.md) |

## Best Practices

| Topic | Description | Reference |
|-------|-------------|-----------|
| RPC security | Which APIs to expose, avoid unlock over HTTP/WS, prefer IPC and Clef | [best-practices-rpc-security](references/best-practices-rpc-security.md) |

## External Links

- [geth.ethereum.org/docs](https://geth.ethereum.org/docs)
- [go-ethereum GitHub](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum)
- [Execution APIs (JSON-RPC)](https://github.com/ethereum/execution-apis)