Go Code Review
Quick Reference
| Issue Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Missing error checks, wrapped errors | references/error-handling.md |
| Race conditions, channel misuse | references/concurrency.md |
| Interface pollution, naming | references/interfaces.md |
| Resource leaks, defer misuse | references/common-mistakes.md |
Review Checklist
- • All errors are checked (no
_ = err) - • Errors wrapped with context (
fmt.Errorf("...: %w", err)) - • Resources closed with
deferimmediately 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
- •Are all error returns checked and wrapped?
- •Are goroutines properly managed with context cancellation?
- •Are resources (files, connections) closed with defer?
- •Are interfaces minimal and defined where used?
Valid Patterns (Do NOT Flag)
These patterns are acceptable and should NOT be flagged as issues:
- •
_ = errwith reason comment - Intentionally ignored errors with explanationgo_ = 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
- •
//nolintdirectives with reason - Acceptable when accompanied by explanationgo//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
Only flag these issues when the specific conditions apply:
| Issue | Flag ONLY IF |
|---|---|
| Missing error check | Error return is actionable (can retry, log, or propagate) |
| Goroutine leak | No context cancellation path exists for the goroutine |
| Missing defer | Resource isn't explicitly closed before next acquisition or return |
| Interface pollution | Interface has > 1 method AND only one consumer exists |
Before Submitting Findings
Load and follow review-verification-protocol before reporting any issue.