# How to Lint IPATool Code Using golangci-lint > Learn how to lint IPATool code using golangci-lint. Ensure Go code quality by installing the tool, regenerating code, and running the linter against the repository's configuration. - Repository: [Majd/ipatool](https://github.com/majd/ipatool) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-09-01 --- **IPATool uses golangci-lint version 2.9.0 to enforce Go code quality standards, requiring developers to install the tool locally, regenerate code using `go generate`, and execute `golangci-lint run ./...` against the repository's [`.golangci.yml`](https://github.com/majd/ipatool/blob/main/.golangci.yml) configuration.** The majd/ipatool repository maintains strict code quality through automated linting. This guide provides the exact commands and configuration details needed to validate your changes locally before submitting a pull request. ## Prerequisites Ensure you have Go installed and the repository cloned. The linting process requires the [`.golangci.yml`](https://github.com/majd/ipatool/blob/main/.golangci.yml) file present in the repository root, which defines the enabled linters (including `ginkgolinter`, `godot`, `nlreturn`, and `wsl`) and exclusion patterns for the `cmd/` and `pkg/` source directories. ## Install golangci-lint at the CI-Pinned Version The GitHub Actions workflow in [`.github/workflows/lint.yml`](https://github.com/majd/ipatool/blob/main/.github/workflows/lint.yml) pins the linter to version `v2.9.0`. Install this exact version to guarantee your local results match the CI environment: ```bash go install github.com/golangci/golangci-lint/cmd/golangci-lint@v2.9.0 ``` macOS users can alternatively use Homebrew (`brew install golangci-lint`), though specifying the version ensures consistency with the automated `macos-latest` runners. ## Regenerate Auto-Generated Files The CI pipeline runs `go generate github.com/majd/ipatool/...` before linting. Execute this step locally to ensure generated code is current: ```bash go generate ./... ``` This command processes `//go:generate` directives throughout the `cmd/` and `pkg/` trees. Skipping this step causes the linter to validate stale generated code, producing false positives or missed violations. ## Run the Linter Against the Codebase Execute golangci-lint using the project configuration to analyze all packages: ```bash golangci-lint run ./... ``` The tool reads rules from [`.golangci.yml`](https://github.com/majd/ipatool/blob/main/.golangci.yml) and scans the entire module. The configuration enables specific linters that enforce comment formatting (`godot`), whitespace consistency (`wsl`, `nlreturn`), and Ginkgo test patterns (`ginkgolinter`). ## Fix Reported Violations When the linter detects issues, output appears similar to: ```text pkg/util/string.go:12:1: comment on exported function Stringify should be of the form "Stringify ..." ``` Resolve these by adjusting the source code to comply with the enabled rules. For documentation errors, ensure exported functions begin with the function name followed by a description. Re-run `golangci-lint run ./...` until the command exits with no errors. ## CI/CD Integration The automated pipeline defined in [`.github/workflows/lint.yml`](https://github.com/majd/ipatool/blob/main/.github/workflows/lint.yml) executes on `macos-latest` and performs three sequential steps: configuring the Go environment, running `go generate ./...`, and invoking `golangci-lint run`. Replicating this sequence locally prevents CI failures on pull requests. ## Summary - Install golangci-lint at **version 2.9.0** to match the CI environment defined in [`.github/workflows/lint.yml`](https://github.com/majd/ipatool/blob/main/.github/workflows/lint.yml) - Execute **go generate ./...** before linting to update auto-generated files in `cmd/` and `pkg/` - Run **golangci-lint run ./...** to validate code against the [`.golangci.yml`](https://github.com/majd/ipatool/blob/main/.golangci.yml) configuration - Address violations from linters including `godot`, `nlreturn`, `wsl`, and `ginkgolinter` - Verify a clean lint report locally to ensure the `macos-latest` GitHub Actions workflow passes ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What version of golangci-lint does IPATool require? The project pins golangci-lint to **version 2.9.0** in [`.github/workflows/lint.yml`](https://github.com/majd/ipatool/blob/main/.github/workflows/lint.yml). Installing this specific version via `go install github.com/golangci/golangci-lint/cmd/golangci-lint@v2.9.0` ensures your local linting results match the CI exactly. ### Why must I run go generate before linting? The linter validates auto-generated source files located in `cmd/` and `pkg/`. If you skip `go generate ./...`, these files may be out of sync with their templates, causing `golangci-lint run` to report spurious errors or miss actual import issues in generated interfaces. ### Where are the linting rules configured in the repository? All linting rules reside in the **[`.golangci.yml`](https://github.com/majd/ipatool/blob/main/.golangci.yml)** file at the repository root. This configuration explicitly enables linters like `ginkgolinter` for test assertions and `godot` for comment punctuation, while defining exclusions for vendored dependencies. ### How do I resolve "comment on exported function" errors? These errors originate from the `godot` linter enforcing Go documentation conventions. Edit the offending file (such as [`pkg/util/string.go`](https://github.com/majd/ipatool/blob/main/pkg/util/string.go)) to ensure the comment begins with the function name, for example `// Stringify converts the input...`, then re-run `golangci-lint run ./...` to confirm the fix.