goimports

Overview

goimports is a Go command-line tool that adds missing imports, removes unused ones and formats code in gofmt’s style. It suits Go developers who want import cleanup built into an editor workflow. Its free, open-source offering is focused and practical, though directory exclusions accept only a simple list of names.

Key features

Import management and formatting come together: goimports updates import lines and formats code in the same style as gofmt. That makes it a natural option for developers who want one editor save hook to handle both jobs; it can replace a gofmt-on-save hook.

Documentation covers integration with Emacs, Vim and GoSublime, and says other editors can be configured. The package page gives go install golang.org/x/tools/cmd/goimports@latest as the installation command.

To keep directories out of its scan, goimports reads $GOPATH/src/.goimportsignore. The file supports blank lines, comments and directory names, but not globbing or regular-expression patterns. That is adequate for straightforward exclusions, but limiting when teams need pattern-based rules. The -v flag provides verbose output to help check exclusions and see what the tool is doing.

Pricing

goimports is free: its plan costs free and provides an open-source command-line tool under the BSD-3-Clause license. There is no free trial because no paid plan is needed to use it. The license is marked redistributable. This is a direct fit for Go developers seeking a no-cost formatter and import manager, without a paid tier to weigh against the free version.

Platforms

The package supports Linux, macOS, Windows and web. It is a command-line tool with editor integration; the documentation describes workflows for Emacs, Vim and GoSublime and allows configuration for other editors. Go is its supported language. The package page identifies version v0.51.0 and says it is not the latest version of its module, a consideration for users who prioritize the newest module release.

Who it's for

Choose goimports if you write Go and want import cleanup and gofmt-style formatting in an editor workflow, especially if simple directory exclusions are enough. Look elsewhere if you need glob or regex exclusions, or if your code-formatting needs center on another language.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Combines missing- and unused-import cleanup with gofmt-style formatting, so one tool can handle both in an editor save workflow.
• Pros: Free and redistributable under BSD-3-Clause, with integrations documented for several editors and configuration possible for others.
• Cons: Exclusions support directory names, comments and blank lines, but not globbing or regular expressions.
• Cons: The package page identifies v0.51.0 as not the latest version of its module, which may matter to users seeking the newest release.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, browse Code Formatting Tools. Pick another formatter when its language or stated role better matches your work:

• Black is a free, MIT-licensed Python code formatter, so it is the more relevant choice for Python rather than Go.
• Fantomas is a free F# source formatter delivered as a .NET tool, making it a better match for F# projects.
• Fourmolu and Ormolu are free open-source Haskell formatters; choose one when formatting Haskell is the priority.
• Prettier is a free open-source code formatter with support across API, extension and common desktop and web platforms; it fits readers seeking a formatter beyond Go.
• Ruff targets the Python ecosystem, so it is the alternative to consider for Python development.
• rustfmt is free and has no paid plans stated; choose it when Rust is your language.
• Accessibility Test Framework for Android is a free Android-focused alternative.

Verdict

Go developers who want import correction and gofmt-style formatting in an editor should choose goimports: it combines those jobs at no cost and supports documented workflows in several editors. Choose a different tool for another programming language, or when directory exclusions need glob or regex patterns.