🔗 How I write HTTP services in Go after 13 years

Nearly six years ago I wrote a blog post outlining how I write HTTP services in Go, and I’m here to tell you, once again, how I write HTTP services.

That original post went a little viral and sparked some great discussions that have influenced how I do things today. And after years of hosting the Go Time podcast, discussing Go on X/Twitter, and gaining more experience maintaining code like this over years, I thought it was time for a refresh.

(And for those pedants who notice Go isn’t exactly 13 years old, I started writing HTTP services in Go version .r59.)

This post covers a range of topics related to building services in Go, including:

• Structuring servers and handlers for maximum maintainability
• Tips and tricks for optimizing for a quick startup and graceful shutdown
• How to handle common work that applies to many types of requests
• Going deep on properly testing your services

From small projects to large, these practices have stood the test of time for me, and I hope they will for you too.