Go Code Review

Quick Reference

Review Checklist

• All errors are checked (no

  _ = err

  )
• Errors wrapped with context (

  fmt.Errorf("...: %w", err)

  )
• Resources closed with

  defer

  immediately after creation
• No goroutine leaks (channels closed, contexts canceled)
• Interfaces defined by consumers, not producers
• Interface names end in

  -er

  (Reader, Writer, Handler)
• Exported names have doc comments
• No naked returns in functions > 5 lines
• Context passed as first parameter
• Mutexes protect shared state, not methods

When to Load References

• Reviewing error return patterns → error-handling.md
• Reviewing goroutines/channels → concurrency.md
• Reviewing type definitions → interfaces.md
• General Go review → common-mistakes.md

Review Questions

1. Are all error returns checked and wrapped?
2. Are goroutines properly managed with context cancellation?
3. Are resources (files, connections) closed with defer?
4. Are interfaces minimal and defined where used?

Valid Patterns (Do NOT Flag)

• _ = err

  with reason comment - Intentionally ignored errors with explanation
  go

  _ = conn.Close() // Best effort cleanup, already handling primary error

• Empty interface

  interface{}

  - For truly generic code (pre-generics codebases)
• Naked returns in short functions - Acceptable in functions < 5 lines with named returns
• Channel without close - When consumer stops via context cancellation, not channel close
• Mutex protecting struct fields - Even if accessed only via methods, this is correct encapsulation

• //nolint

  directives with reason - Acceptable when accompanied by explanation
  go

  //nolint:errcheck // Error logged but not returned per API contract

• Defer in loop - When function scope cleanup is intentional (e.g., processing files in batches)

Context-Sensitive Rules

Before Submitting Findings