The Go equivalent of Rustlings. Fix broken code, learn by failing, and become fluent in Go syntax and idioms through hands-on exercises.

Gopherlings is a terminal-based CLI tool that guides you through broken Go code and challenges you to fix it.

You don’t run a web app. You don’t follow instructions in a browser. You:

• Edit real Go files in your own editor
• Watch tests fail (and then pass)
• See real compiler errors and fix them
• Learn Go the way it’s written: from the bottom up

git clone https://github.com/cloudwalksolutions/gopherlings
cd gopherlings
go run cmd/root.go run

That’s it. Gopherlings will load your current lesson and watch your edits in real time.

• Test-first mindset: Every lesson starts with failing tests
• Hot reload: Your code is tested as you type—like a REPL, but meaningful
• You own your flow: Use your editor, your way
• Go idioms, not just syntax: We teach the “why” as much as the “what”
• No scaffolding BS: Just clone and go

cmd/             CLI entrypoints (gopherlings, scaffold)
src/             Scaffolding + internal logic
templates/       Templates for new lesson generation
lessons/         Where real code lives
lesson-plan.yaml Minimal lesson manifest
proverbs.yaml    Canonical Go Proverbs

Each lesson is a broken Go program in a folder:

lessons/01_variables/
├— main.go
├— main_test.go
├— README.md
└— .config.json

You fix the code. Gopherlings tests it. When it passes, you move on.

go run cmd/gopherlings/main.go run         # Run current lesson with hot reload TUI
go run cmd/gopherlings/main.go list        # Show all available lessons
go run cmd/gopherlings/main.go doctor      # Verify environment and dependencies
go run cmd/gopherlings/main.go generate    # AI-powered lesson creation

👍 Hot reload is enabled by default 📅 Tests are run on every save

Gopherlings now includes AI-powered lesson generation! Create custom lessons on-demand:

go run cmd/gopherlings/main.go generate

The tool will:

1. Prompt you to describe the Go concept you want to learn
2. Generate a complete lesson with broken code, tests, and documentation
3. Create lesson files ready for immediate use

Example interaction:

$ go run cmd/gopherlings/main.go generate
What lesson would you like to create? Describe the Go concept or topic: interfaces and polymorphism

Generating lesson about: interfaces and polymorphism

Generated lesson:
ID: 25_interfaces_polymorphism
Title: Go Interfaces and Polymorphism
Description: Learn how to use interfaces to achieve polymorphism in Go...

Accept this lesson? (y/n): y
Lesson accepted! Writing to lessons directory...
Successfully wrote lesson files to lessons/25_interfaces_polymorphism

Powered by:

• Google Gemini (production) for high-quality lesson generation
• Local Ollama (development) for offline/testing scenarios
• Smart prompting that incorporates your specific learning goals

make cov          # Run tests with coverage
make lint         # Run golangci-lint on all source code
make fmt          # Format all Go code
make run          # Run the CLI tool

We welcome PRs! See CONTRIBUTORS.md to learn how to:

• Add new lessons
• Write idiomatic templates
• Keep the spirit of Go and the Go Proverbs

Inspired by Rustlings, but written for people who want to think in Go.