# go-semantic-tools

Finds function calls, interface implementations, and dependency graphs in Go via gopls and go list, not text search. Understands implicit interfaces, embedding, and cross-package dependencies that grep misses.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · ★ 83
- Author: eduardo-sl
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/eduardo-sl/go-agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/(workflow)/go-semantic-tools/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-15
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/go-semantic-tools

## What it does

The skill uses Go's semantic toolchain instead of regex. `gopls references` locates every call to a function—including calls through interfaces and hidden dependencies. `gopls implementation` shows which types satisfy an interface or which interfaces a type fulfills. `go list` maps the package dependency graph, `go doc` prints the API without implementation clutter.

Includes ready-made workflows: before changing a function, find all its callers; before adding to an interface, list every implementation; before refactoring, verify architectural layering through the import graph. `gopls rename -w` renames a symbol everywhere, not confusing `UserID` as a field with `UserID` as a local variable. `gopls check` and `go vet` deliver diagnostics without opening an editor.

Requires Go toolchain and `gopls` v0.20+. Works via MCP server for agents or CLI. Text search remains the tool for string literals, comments, and code that doesn't compile yet.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add eduardo-sl/go-agent-skills --skill go-semantic-tools -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add eduardo-sl/go-agent-skills --skill go-semantic-tools -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add eduardo-sl/go-agent-skills --skill go-semantic-tools -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install eduardo-sl/go-agent-skills go-semantic-tools
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add eduardo-sl/go-agent-skills --skill go-semantic-tools -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/eduardo-sl/go-agent-skills --path 'skills/(workflow)/go-semantic-tools'
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add eduardo-sl/go-agent-skills --skill go-semantic-tools -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/eduardo-sl/go-agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/(workflow)/go-semantic-tools/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- find all callers of a function through interfaces and embedding
- list which types implement an interface before modifying it
- verify the import graph and confirm architectural boundaries
- rename a symbol correctly everywhere it is used
- explore an unfamiliar package through its exported API

## Example prompts
- Find every place where the `Process` function in `internal/service/user.go` line 42 is called
- Show me which types satisfy the `Store` interface defined in `internal/store/store.go`
- What's the dependency graph for the `internal/payments` package?

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

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: 2b0018adbe459958.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 2b0018adbe459958
```text
---
name: go-semantic-tools
description: >
  Navigate and analyze Go codebases semantically with the toolchain instead
  of text search: gopls via its MCP server or CLI (references,
  implementations, call hierarchy, rename, extract/inline code actions,
  diagnostics), go list for the dependency graph, go doc for APIs. Use when:
  "find all callers", "who implements this interface", "where is this used",
  "trace the dependency graph", "explore this codebase", "find usages before
  changing", "map the module".
  Not for: performing the refactor (go-refactoring), judging the
  architecture (go-architecture-review), writing documentation
  (go-documentation).
user-invocable: true
license: MIT
compatibility: Designed for Claude Code or similar AI coding agents working on Go projects. Requires the Go toolchain. Requires gopls (go install golang.org/x/tools/gopls@latest); v0.20+ for the MCP server.
allowed-tools: Read Edit Write Glob Grep Bash(go:*) Bash(gofmt:*) Bash(gopls:*)
metadata:
  author: eduardo-sl
  version: "1.2.0"
---

# Go Semantic Tools

grep finds strings; the toolchain finds meaning. Method names repeat
across types, interfaces are satisfied implicitly, and dot-imports lie
to text search. Before changing shared code, get the truth from tools
that understand types.

Detailed reference material, loaded on demand:

- `references/mcp-and-code-actions.md` — `gopls mcp` setup and tools, the
  read/edit loop, CLI code actions, build-tag gotchas.

Read a reference file only when the summary below is not enough.

## 0. Pick the Interface

| Interface | Prefer it when |
|---|---|
| gopls MCP server (`gopls mcp`, v0.20+) | Working as an agent — tools take symbol names and file paths, not cursor positions |
| The harness's built-in LSP integration, if enabled | You already have a position, and want diagnostics pushed after every edit |
| `gopls` CLI (below) | Scripts and one-off checks; the Go team documents it as a debugging interface |

With the MCP server, follow its loop: `go_symbol_references` before
changing a definition, `go_diagnostics` after every edit until clean,
`go_vulncheck` after `go.mod` changes, then `go test` on the changed
packages only. Setup and the tool list: `references/mcp-and-code-actions.md`.

## 1. Choose the Tool

| Question | Command |
|---|---|
| Where is this symbol used? | `gopls references file.go:LINE:COL` |
| Where is it defined? | `gopls definition file.go:LINE:COL` |
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 2b0018adbe459958

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the 2b0018adbe459958 tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

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---
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