golang-project-layout

Provides a guide for setting up Golang project layouts and workspaces. Use this whenever starting a new Go project, organizing an existing codebase, setting up a monorepo with multiple packages, creating CLI tools with multiple main packages, or deciding on directory structure. Apply this for any Go project initialization or restructuring work.

1,013 stars

Best use case

golang-project-layout is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.

Provides a guide for setting up Golang project layouts and workspaces. Use this whenever starting a new Go project, organizing an existing codebase, setting up a monorepo with multiple packages, creating CLI tools with multiple main packages, or deciding on directory structure. Apply this for any Go project initialization or restructuring work.

Teams using golang-project-layout 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

$curl -o ~/.claude/skills/golang-project-layout/SKILL.md --create-dirs "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/samber/cc-skills-golang/main/skills/golang-project-layout/SKILL.md"

Manual Installation

  1. Download SKILL.md from GitHub
  2. Place it in .claude/skills/golang-project-layout/SKILL.md inside your project
  3. Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill

How golang-project-layout Compares

Feature / Agentgolang-project-layoutStandard Approach
Platform SupportNot specifiedLimited / Varies
Context Awareness High Baseline
Installation ComplexityUnknownN/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this skill do?

Provides a guide for setting up Golang project layouts and workspaces. Use this whenever starting a new Go project, organizing an existing codebase, setting up a monorepo with multiple packages, creating CLI tools with multiple main packages, or deciding on directory structure. Apply this for any Go project initialization or restructuring work.

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.

Related Guides

SKILL.md Source

**Persona:** You are a Go project architect. You right-size structure to the problem — a script stays flat, a service gets layers only when justified by actual complexity.

# Go Project Layout

## Architecture Decision: Ask First

When starting a new project, **ask the developer** what software architecture they prefer (clean architecture, hexagonal, DDD, flat structure, etc.). NEVER over-structure small projects — a 100-line CLI tool does not need layers of abstractions or dependency injection.

→ See `samber/cc-skills-golang@golang-design-patterns` skill for detailed architecture guides with file trees and code examples.

## Dependency Injection: Ask Next

After settling on the architecture, **ask the developer** which dependency injection approach they want: manual constructor injection, or a DI library (samber/do, google/wire, uber-go/dig+fx), or none at all. The choice affects how services are wired, how lifecycle (health checks, graceful shutdown) is managed, and how the project is structured. See the `samber/cc-skills-golang@golang-dependency-injection` skill for a full comparison and decision table.

## 12-Factor App

For applications (services, APIs, workers), follow [12-Factor App](https://12factor.net/) conventions: config via environment variables, logs to stdout, stateless processes, graceful shutdown, backing services as attached resources, and admin tasks as one-off commands (e.g., `cmd/migrate/`).

## Quick Start: Choose Your Project Type

| Project Type | Use When | Key Directories |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **CLI Tool** | Building a command-line application | `cmd/{name}/`, `internal/`, optional `pkg/` |
| **Library** | Creating reusable code for others | `pkg/{name}/`, `internal/` for private code |
| **Service** | HTTP API, microservice, or web app | `cmd/{service}/`, `internal/`, `api/`, `web/` |
| **Monorepo** | Multiple related packages/modules | `go.work`, separate modules per package |
| **Workspace** | Developing multiple local modules | `go.work`, replace directives |

## Module Naming Conventions

### Module Name (go.mod)

Your module path in `go.mod` should:

- **MUST match your repository URL**: `github.com/username/project-name`
- **Use lowercase only**: `github.com/you/my-app` (not `MyApp`)
- **Use hyphens for multi-word**: `user-auth` not `user_auth` or `userAuth`
- **Be semantic**: Name should clearly express purpose

**Examples:**

```go
// ✅ Good
module github.com/jdoe/payment-processor
module github.com/company/cli-tool

// ❌ Bad
module myproject
module github.com/jdoe/MyProject
module utils
```

### Package Naming

Packages MUST be lowercase, singular, and match their directory name. → See `samber/cc-skills-golang@golang-naming` skill for complete package naming conventions and examples.

## Directory Layout

All `main` packages must reside in `cmd/` with minimal logic — parse flags, wire dependencies, call `Run()`. Business logic belongs in `internal/` or `pkg/`. Use `internal/` for non-exported packages, `pkg/` only when code is useful to external consumers.

See [directory layout examples](references/directory-layouts.md) for universal, small project, and library layouts, plus common mistakes.

## Essential Configuration Files

Every Go project should include at the root:

- **Makefile** — build automation. See [Makefile template](assets/Makefile)
- **.gitignore** — git ignore patterns. See [.gitignore template](assets/.gitignore)
- **.golangci.yml** — linter config. See the `samber/cc-skills-golang@golang-linter` skill for the recommended configuration

For application configuration with Cobra + Viper, see [config reference](references/config.md).

## Tests, Benchmarks, and Examples

Co-locate `_test.go` files with the code they test. Use `testdata/` for fixtures. See [testing layout](references/testing-layout.md) for file naming, placement, and organization details.

## Go Workspaces

Use `go.work` when developing multiple related modules in a monorepo. See [workspaces](references/workspaces.md) for setup, structure, and commands.

## Initialization Checklist

When starting a new Go project:

- [ ] **Ask the developer** their preferred software architecture (clean, hexagonal, DDD, flat, etc.)
- [ ] **Ask the developer** their preferred DI approach — see `samber/cc-skills-golang@golang-dependency-injection` skill
- [ ] Decide project type (CLI, library, service, monorepo)
- [ ] Right-size the structure to the project scope
- [ ] Choose module name (matches repo URL, lowercase, hyphens)
- [ ] Run `go version` to detect the current go version
- [ ] Run `go mod init github.com/user/project-name`
- [ ] Create `cmd/{name}/main.go` for entry point
- [ ] Create `internal/` for private code
- [ ] Create `pkg/` only if you have public libraries
- [ ] For monorepos: Initialize `go work` and add modules
- [ ] Run `gofmt -s -w .` to ensure formatting
- [ ] Add `.gitignore` with `/vendor/` and binary patterns

## Related Skills

→ See `samber/cc-skills-golang@golang-cli` skill for CLI tool structure and Cobra/Viper patterns. → See `samber/cc-skills-golang@golang-dependency-injection` skill for DI approach comparison and wiring. → See `samber/cc-skills-golang@golang-linter` skill for golangci-lint configuration. → See `samber/cc-skills-golang@golang-continuous-integration` skill for CI/CD pipeline setup. → See `samber/cc-skills-golang@golang-design-patterns` skill for architectural patterns.

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