Skip to content

Guide · Open source

How to use gf: clone the Go framework and what to check first

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

gf (gogf/gf) is an open-source framework written in Go, which its maintainers describe as a tool for faster, easier, and more efficient project development. This guide explains how to get the source code, what you need installed first, and what the repository topics say the framework covers. The README was not available when this page was written, so the setup steps here are limited to what is confirmed.

GoFramegogf/gf · ★ 13.3k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Confirm gf fits your project. Check that your project is written in Go and that you want a code-level framework. gf is not a tool for non-developers.
  2. 2Install a Go toolchain. Install Go on your machine. The README reviewed did not state a required version, so confirm that on https://goframe.org first.
  3. 3Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/gogf/gf to download the source code to your machine.
  4. 4Verify features in the official docs. Because the README was unavailable, check the homepage and the code for the ORM, logging, and tracing support before you depend on them.

What gf is and who it is for

gf is a code-level framework for Go developers. It is licensed under MIT and its homepage is https://goframe.org.

It suits Go developers who want a full-featured framework, teams building microservices in Go, and developers who want built-in ORM, logging, or tracing support according to the repository topics. It is not aimed at non-developers, and it is not relevant to projects that do not use Go.

Get the gf source code

To get a local copy of the repository, clone it from GitHub with the command below.

git clone https://github.com/gogf/gf

Check the prerequisites before you start

The only prerequisite named in the material reviewed is a Go toolchain. The required Go version is not stated in the README that was provided, so check the project homepage or repository documentation for it before installing anything.

  • Install a Go toolchain on your machine
  • Confirm the required Go version on https://goframe.org or in the repository

What the repository says gf includes

The repository topics mention an ORM, logging, tracing with OpenTelemetry, and microservices on Kubernetes. These are topic labels, not a verified feature list, so treat them as areas to investigate rather than confirmed capabilities.

  • ORM (object-relational mapping)
  • Logging
  • Tracing with OpenTelemetry
  • Microservices on Kubernetes

Know what this guide does not cover

The README was empty when reviewed, so this page does not include a working example, API usage, project scaffolding, or configuration details. Do not assume a feature works a certain way until you have checked the official documentation or the source code yourself.

If you are comparing frameworks, the projects it is usually compared with are Gin, Echo, and Fiber. This page makes no claim about how gf performs against them.

What people use it for

  • Building a Go web or API service that needs a full-featured framework
  • Developing microservices in Go, where the repository topics mention Kubernetes
  • Evaluating built-in ORM, logging, or OpenTelemetry tracing support in a Go project

Frequently asked questions

Is gf free to use?

gf is licensed under MIT, which is a permissive open-source licence. Check the LICENSE file in the repository to confirm the terms before you use it in a commercial product.

What do I need to install gf?

The only prerequisite named in the material reviewed is a Go toolchain. The required Go version is not stated in the README provided, so check https://goframe.org or the repository docs for it.

How do I download gf?

Clone the repository with git clone https://github.com/gogf/gf. The README reviewed did not include further install steps.

Does gf include an ORM, logging and tracing?

The repository topics mention an ORM, logging, and tracing with OpenTelemetry. These are topic labels from the repository, so verify each one in the official documentation before relying on it.

What are the alternatives to gf?

Gin, Echo, and Fiber are comparable projects. This guide does not compare their performance or features, so review each project's documentation for your own needs.

Why is there no full gf tutorial here?

The README was empty when this page was written, so no usage examples or API details could be verified. The official site at https://goframe.org is the place to look for those.

New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week

The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.

Our verdict

gf suits Go developers who want a full-featured framework, especially for microservices or projects that need built-in ORM, logging, or tracing. Pick a different option if you do not use Go, or if you need a framework whose features and setup steps are fully documented and verified before you start.

Install options & downloads