golang-error-handling
Standards for error wrapping, checking, and definition in Golang. Use when wrapping errors, defining sentinel errors, or handling errors idiomatically in Go. (triggers: fmt.Errorf, errors.Is, errors.As, error wrapping, sentinel error, error handling)
Best use case
golang-error-handling is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Standards for error wrapping, checking, and definition in Golang. Use when wrapping errors, defining sentinel errors, or handling errors idiomatically in Go. (triggers: fmt.Errorf, errors.Is, errors.As, error wrapping, sentinel error, error handling)
Teams using golang-error-handling should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/golang-error-handling/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How golang-error-handling Compares
| Feature / Agent | golang-error-handling | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Standards for error wrapping, checking, and definition in Golang. Use when wrapping errors, defining sentinel errors, or handling errors idiomatically in Go. (triggers: fmt.Errorf, errors.Is, errors.As, error wrapping, sentinel error, error handling)
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Golang Error Handling Standards
## **Priority: P0 (CRITICAL)**
## Principles
- **Errors are Values**: Handle them like any other value.
- **Handle Once**: Log OR Return. Never Log AND Return (creates duplicate logs).
- **Add Context**: Don't just return `err` bubble up. Wrap it with context: `fmt.Errorf("failed to open file: %w", err)`.
- **Use Standard Lib**: Go 1.13+ `errors` package (`Is`, `As`, `Unwrap`) is sufficient. Avoid `pkg/errors` (deprecated).
## Guidelines
- **Sentinel Errors**: Expoted, fixed errors (`io.EOF`, `sql.ErrNoRows`). Use `errors.Is(err, io.EOF)`.
- **Error Types**: Structs implementing `error`. Use `errors.As(err, &target)`.
- **Panic**: Only for unrecoverable startup errors.
## Anti-Patterns
- **No bare return err**: Wrap with `fmt.Errorf("context: %w", err)` to preserve call chain.
- **No string error checks**: Use `errors.Is`/`errors.As`; string comparison is brittle.
- **No swallowed errors**: Never assign errors to `_`; always handle or propagate.
## References
- [Error Wrapping Patterns](references/error-wrapping.md)Related Skills
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