golang-design-patterns

Guide idiomatic Go API design with functional options and validation.

1|Updated Apr 4, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Jylhis/claude-marketplace --skill golang-design-patterns-jylhis
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: golang-design-patterns
Source: https://github.com/Jylhis/claude-marketplace/tree/main/plugins/golang-dev/skills/golang-design-patterns
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Jylhis/claude-marketplace --skill golang-design-patterns-jylhis

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Provide clear, opinionated guidance for designing idiomatic Go APIs, structuring applications, and hardening services for production to avoid common pitfalls like implicit globals, unbounded resources, and premature abstraction.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Constructor & API Design: Prefer functional options with validation, sensible defaults, and explicit constructors rather than init() or global state.
  • Resource Management & Resilience: Patterns for defer-based cleanup, bounded pools, timeout-aware external calls, retry semantics that honor context cancellation, and graceful shutdown.
  • Architecture & Review: Advice on right-sized architecture (flat vs layered), hexagonal/clean patterns when appropriate, and review checklists for init() abuse, implicit globals, and missing timeouts.
  • Use Case: Use when designing a new Go server, reviewing existing service code for production readiness, or choosing between competing patterns for APIs and dependency wiring.

Quick Start

Ask the skill to review your Go package and recommend idiomatic constructor patterns, resource limits, error handling, and graceful shutdown improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions about golang-design-patterns

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I design idiomatic Go constructors without using init() or global state?

Idiomatic Go constructors use functional options with validation and sensible defaults instead of init() or global state. This pattern ensures explicit dependency wiring, avoids implicit side effects, and produces production-ready APIs that are easier to test and review.

What is the best way to handle graceful shutdown and resource management in a Go service?

Graceful shutdown and resource management in Go require defer-based cleanup, bounded pools, and timeout-aware external calls. These patterns ensure bounded resources, honor context cancellation, and prevent leaks during service termination.

How do I implement error handling in Go that respects context cancellation?

Go error handling for production services should honor context cancellation by using timeout-aware external calls and retry semantics. This ensures operations fail fast when contexts expire, preventing unbounded resource consumption and stuck goroutines.

When should I choose functional options over traditional configuration structs for Go APIs?

Functional options are preferred over traditional configuration structs when designing Go APIs that need validation, sensible defaults, and extensibility. This approach avoids implicit globals and premature abstraction while keeping constructors explicit and maintainable.

Does this Go design guidance apply to both libraries and production services?

Yes, this Go design guidance applies to both libraries and services. It covers constructor design, error handling, resource management, dependency injection, and production hardening patterns like streaming for large data and graceful shutdown.

How do I review existing Go code for production readiness and common design pitfalls?

Reviewing Go code for production readiness involves checking for init() abuse, implicit globals, missing timeouts, and unbounded resources. Apply review checklists focused on right-sized architecture, explicit constructors, and proper context cancellation handling.