---
type: reference
title: Go
description: Current best practices for Go projects - modules, project layout, HTTP frameworks, and tooling.
tags:
  - go
  - golang
  - bootstrap
  - engineering
timestamp: 2026-08-11
verified: 2026-08-28
---

CUT
# Go

This page covers current (2025/2026) best practices for Go projects.

## Bootstrap

Initialize a module:

```bash
go mod init my-module
```

Then write a `main.go` with `package main`.

## Project Layout

Follow the Standard Go Project Layout:

```
my-project/
├── cmd/            # Application entrypoints
├── internal/       # Private application code
├── pkg/            # Public library code
├── api/            # Protobuf or OpenAPI definitions
├── deploy/         # Dockerfiles and Helm charts
├── scripts/        # Build and CI scripts
├── go.mod
└── go.sum
```

Use `internal/` for code that must stay private to the module.

## Tooling

| Category | Tool | Notes |
|----------|------|-------|
| Module manager | go modules | Built into the toolchain. |
| Formatter | gofmt | Built in. |
| Linter | golangci-lint | The standard CI aggregator. |
| Testing | `go test ./...` | Use table-driven tests. |
| Static analysis | staticcheck | Use with golangci-lint. |

## HTTP Frameworks

| Framework | Best For | Notes |
|-----------|----------|-------|
| Standard `net/http` | Most Go projects | Idiomatic, no dependencies. |
| chi v5 | REST APIs | Minimalist, stdlib-compatible. |
| gin | High-throughput APIs | Fast, JSON binding. |
| echo | Full-featured APIs | Middleware and validation. |

Use the standard library or chi for most projects.

## Notable 2025/2026 Changes

* Go 1.24 added generic type aliases and `tool` directives in `go.mod`.
* `go run` and `go build` cache executables and embed VCS metadata.
* `go test -json` gives structured output for CI.

## Related Technologies

* pgx for PostgreSQL.
* slog for structured logging.
* cobra for command-line interfaces.
* gRPC with `google.golang.org/grpc`.
* testcontainers-go for integration tests.

## Citations

* [Go modules](https://go.dev/doc/modules)
* [Go 1.24 release notes](https://go.dev/doc/go1.24)
* [Standard Go Project Layout](https://github.com/golang-standards/project-layout)
* [chi](https://github.com/go-chi/chi)

## See Also

* [SDLC and Tooling](../sdlc.md)
* [Rust](rust.md)
* [Docker and Podman](../infra/containers.md)