# Effective Go > Apply Go best practices, idioms, and conventions from golang.org/doc/effective_go. Use when writing, reviewing, or refactoring Go code to ensure idiomatic, clean, and efficient implementations. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/effective-go` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/effective-go` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/effective-go/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/effective-go --- # Effective Go Apply best practices and conventions from the official [Effective Go guide](https://go.dev/doc/effective_go) to write clean, idiomatic Go code. ## When to Apply Use this skill automatically when: - Writing new Go code - Reviewing Go code - Refactoring existing Go implementations ## Key Reminders Follow the conventions and patterns documented at https://go.dev/doc/effective_go, with particular attention to: - **Formatting**: Always use `gofmt` - this is non-negotiable - **Naming**: No underscores, use MixedCaps for exported names, mixedCaps for unexported - **Error handling**: Always check errors; return them, don't panic - **Concurrency**: Share memory by communicating (use channels) - **Interfaces**: Keep small (1-3 methods ideal); accept interfaces, return concrete types - **Documentation**: Document all exported symbols, starting with the symbol name ## References - Official Guide: https://go.dev/doc/effective_go - Code Review Comments: https://github.com/golang/go/wiki/CodeReviewComments - Standard Library: Use as reference for idiomatic patterns --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/openshift) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.