# Go

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

- Skill: `jscraik/go` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 5 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add jscraik/go`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/jscraik/go/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: jscraik (https://skillmd.com/u/jscraik)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/jscraik/go

---


## Table of Contents

- [When to use](#when-to-use)
- [Required inputs](#required-inputs)
- [Deliverables](#deliverables)
- [Style](#style)
- [Error Flow](#error-flow)
- [Examples](#examples)
- [Failure mode](#failure-mode)
- [Gotchas](#gotchas)

## When to use

- Use for Go code authoring and review tasks.
- Use when package boundaries and error handling need tightening.

## Required inputs

- Package and file scope.
- Expected API behavior.
- Runtime/performance constraints.

## Deliverables

- Idiomatic Go changes.
- Wrapped, actionable errors.
- Minimal API churn outside requested scope.

## Style

- Keep functions small and package-focused.
- Return concrete structs from constructors when interfaces are unnecessary.
- Prefer composition over deep embedding chains.

## Error Flow

- Return wrapped errors with `%w` for traceability.
- Avoid panic in library code.
- Check and handle every returned error.

## Examples

```go
func ParsePort(value string) (int, error) {
	port, err := strconv.Atoi(value)
	if err != nil {
		return 0, fmt.Errorf("parse port %q: %w", value, err)
	}
	return port, nil
}
```

## Failure mode

- If API compatibility risk is high, keep signatures stable and narrow the patch.

## Gotchas

- Silent ignored errors usually become runtime bugs.

## See Also

| Skill | When to use |
|---|---|
| [[rust-pro]] | Systems programming with similar error-propagation and ownership concerns |
| [[he-fix-bugs]] | Triage Go runtime errors with evidence-first diagnosis |

**Topic map:** [[agent-ops]]


## Philosophy

- Optimize for clear, verifiable outcomes with the minimum necessary changes.
- Keep guidance deterministic so repeated runs produce consistent decisions.

## Procedure

1. Confirm scope, constraints, and required inputs before edits.
2. Apply focused changes tied directly to the requested outcome.
3. Re-run the highest-signal validations and capture concrete evidence.

## Validation

- Run the relevant local checks for touched files and workflow contracts.
- Fail fast: stop at the first blocking validation failure and report exact evidence.
- Re-run checks after fixes and record residual risk if any remains.

## Constraints

- Redact secrets, tokens, credentials, and sensitive data by default.
- Do not expand scope beyond the request unless explicitly asked.
- Prefer safe, reversible edits over broad refactors.

## Anti-patterns

- Skipping validation after making changes.
- Applying broad refactors to solve narrow issues.
- Assuming behavior without evidence from current checks.

## References and assets

- Open deep guidance: `Infrastructure/references/deep-guidance.md`
- Read when: the task needs advanced edge cases, migration-safe patterns, or runtime-specific nuance beyond the core checklist.