# go-packages

Enforces Go package structuring, import grouping, and main entry point design. Useful when starting a new Go project or splitting a growing codebase.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1200 installs · ★ 181
- Author: cxuu
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/cxuu/golang-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/go-packages/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-06-20
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/go-packages

## What it does

The skill prohibits catch-all packages such as `util`, `helper`, or `common`. Package names must clearly describe what they provide. Generic names obscure intent. Splitting is recommended when a package purpose cannot be described in one sentence, or when different consumers rely on distinct parts. However, splitting just because a file is long, to create single-type packages, or creating circular imports is forbidden.

Imports are organized into distinct blocks separated by blank lines, placing the standard library first. Dot imports are banned. The only exception is test files resolving circular dependencies. Blank imports (`import _`) belong exclusively in `main` packages or test files.

Termination calls like `os.Exit` and `log.Fatal` must stay inside `main()`, routed through a `run() error` function. Command-line flags are also restricted to `main`. Identifier naming inside packages is left out, as that is covered by the `go-naming` skill.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add cxuu/golang-skills --skill go-packages -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/go-packages/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/go-packages/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add cxuu/golang-skills --skill go-packages -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/go-packages/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add cxuu/golang-skills --skill go-packages -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/go-packages/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install cxuu/golang-skills go-packages
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/go-packages/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add cxuu/golang-skills --skill go-packages -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/cxuu/golang-skills --path skills/go-packages
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/go-packages/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add cxuu/golang-skills --skill go-packages -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/cxuu/golang-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/go-packages/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- decompose bloated Go packages into cohesive boundaries
- structure standard library and external import blocks
- eliminate generic util and helper packages
- confine os.Exit and log.Fatal calls to main

## Example prompts
- Review our package layout and suggest how to split this large package
- Organize the imports in this Go file according to standard conventions
- Refactor main.go to use the run() pattern and handle CLI flags properly

## Source text · SKILL.md · Apache-2.0

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: a097243c0e99c4ea.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE a097243c0e99c4ea
````text
---
name: go-packages
description: Use when creating Go packages, organizing imports, managing dependencies, or deciding how to structure Go code into packages. Also use when starting a new Go project or splitting a growing codebase into packages, even if the user doesn't explicitly ask about package organization. Does not cover naming individual identifiers (see go-naming).
---

# Go Packages and Imports

## Resource Routing

- `references/IMPORTS.md` - Read when grouping imports, using blank imports, dot imports, or import aliases.
- `references/PACKAGE-SIZE.md` - Read when splitting packages, avoiding `init`, structuring `main`, or designing CLI flags/subcommands.

> **When this skill does NOT apply**: For naming individual identifiers within a package, see [go-naming](../go-naming/SKILL.md). For organizing functions within a single file, see [go-functions](../go-functions/SKILL.md). For configuring linters that enforce import rules, see [go-linting](../go-linting/SKILL.md).

## Package Organization

### Avoid Util Packages

Package names should describe what the package provides. Avoid generic names
like `util`, `helper`, `common` — they obscure meaning and cause import
conflicts.

```go
// Good: Meaningful package names
db := spannertest.NewDatabaseFromFile(...)
_, err := f.Seek(0, io.SeekStart)

// Bad: Vague names obscure meaning
db := test.NewDatabaseFromFile(...)
_, err := f.Seek(0, common.SeekStart)
```

Generic names can be used as *part* of a name (e.g., `stringutil`) but should
not be the entire package name.

### Package Size

| Question | Action |
|----------|--------|
| Can you describe its purpose in one sentence? | No → split by responsibility |
| Do files never share unexported symbols? | Those files could be separate packages |
| Distinct user groups use different parts? | Split along user boundaries |
| Godoc page overwhelming? | Split to improve discoverability |

**Do NOT split** just because a file is long, to create single-type packages, or
if it would create circular dependencies.

---

## Imports

Imports are organized in groups separated by blank lines. Standard library
packages always come first. Use
[goimports](https://pkg.go.dev/golang.org/x/tools/cmd/goimports) to manage this
automatically.

```go
import (
    "fmt"
    "os"

    "github.com/foo/bar"
    "rsc.io/goversion/version"
)
```

**Quick rules:**

| Rule | Guidance |
|------|----------|
| Grouping | stdlib first, then external. Extended: stdlib → other → protos → side-effects |
| Renaming | Avoid unless collision. Rename the most local import. Proto packages get `pb` suffix |
| Blank imports (`import _`) | Only in `main` packages or tests |
| Dot imports (`import .`) | Never use, except for circular-dependency test files |

---

## Avoid init()

Avoid `init()` where possible. When unavoidable, it must be:

1. Completely deterministic
````
END THIRD-PARTY FILE a097243c0e99c4ea

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