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Go Template System

> **Load when:** Editing Go templates, debugging generated output, or confused about which template produces what.

Claude Code Knowledge Pack7/10/2026

Overview

Go Template System

Load when: Editing Go templates, debugging generated output, or confused about which template produces what.

Template Directory

cmd/codegen/generator/go/templates/src/
├── dagger.gen.go.tmpl              # Entry point
├── _dagger.gen.go/                 # Sub-templates
│   ├── module.go.tmpl              # Module: imports + calls ModuleMainSrc()
│   ├── defs.go.tmpl                # Type definitions, Client struct
│   └── client.go.tmpl              # Standalone: Connect(), Close()
├── _types/                         # Type-specific
│   ├── object.go.tmpl              # Object methods
│   ├── scalar.go.tmpl
│   ├── input.go.tmpl
│   └── enum.go.tmpl
├── dag/
│   └── dag.gen.go.tmpl             # Global dag.* helpers (non-module only)
└── internal/dagger/
    └── dagger.gen.go.tmpl          # Module types package

Three Conditional Modes

Every template decision uses these booleans:

ConditionTrue WhenEffect
IsModuleCodeModuleConfig != nil && ModuleName != ""Generates module runtime
IsStandaloneClientClientConfig != nilIncludes Connect/Close
IsPartialFirst pass of two-passSkips main() generation

Output Files by Mode

Module (IsModuleCode = true)

Two output files:

FilePackageContains
dagger.gen.gomainmain(), invoke() dispatch
internal/dagger/dagger.gen.godaggerType definitions

Why two? User code in main imports internal/dagger. Types live there to avoid namespace pollution.

Standalone Client (IsStandaloneClient = true)

FilePackageContains
dagger.gen.godaggerTypes + Connect() + Close()
dag/dag.gen.godagGlobal dag.* helpers

Library (IsModuleCode = false, IsStandaloneClient = false)

Same as standalone client, minus Connect()/Close().

Two-Pass Generation (Modules)

Go modules need two passes because generated code depends on user types.

Pass 0 (Partial):

  • Generate skeleton dagger.gen.go
  • Create starter main.go if missing
  • IsPartial() = true → no main() yet

Pass 1 (Complete):

  • Load Go package, introspect user types
  • Generate full invoke() dispatch
  • IsPartial() = false

Template Functions

Defined in cmd/codegen/generator/go/templates/functions.go:54:

FunctionPurpose
IsModuleCode()Check if generating module
IsStandaloneClient()Check if generating client
IsPartial()Check if first pass
FormatName(s)GraphQL → Go name
FormatReturnType(f)Field → return type
ModuleMainSrc()Generate main() + invoke()
IsArgOptional(arg)Check if argument is optional (has default OR nullable type)
HasOptionals(args)Check if any argument in list is optional

Common Mistakes

  1. Wrong file - Module types are in internal/dagger/dagger.gen.go, not root
  2. Forgot IsPartial - main() only generates on pass 1
  3. Import confusion - Standalone clients alias SDK as dagClient
  4. Template caching - Must rebuild cmd/codegen after changes
  5. Wrong optionality check - Use IsArgOptional $arg not $arg.TypeRef.IsOptional. The latter only checks if the type is nullable, missing arguments with default values. Similarly, use HasOptionals $field.Args not $field.Args.HasOptionals for consistency with the helper function.