gox

name	gox
description	Use this skill when the user wants to cross-compile Go binaries, build for multiple platforms, or create Go executables for different OS/arch.

gox Plugin

A dead simple, no frills Go cross compile tool. Build Go binaries for multiple platforms at once.

Commands

Cross-Compilation

• gox build cross — Cross-compile Go binaries for multiple platforms

Utility

• gox _ _ — Passthrough to gox CLI

Usage Examples

• "Cross-compile this Go project"
• "Build for multiple platforms"
• "Create Linux and Windows binaries"
• "Build Go for different architectures"

Installation

go install github.com/mitchellh/gox@latest

Examples

# Build for all platforms
gox build cross

# Build for specific OS
gox build cross -os="linux darwin windows"

# Build for specific architecture
gox build cross -arch="amd64 arm64"

# Build for specific OS and arch
gox build cross -osarch="linux/amd64 darwin/amd64 windows/amd64"

# Custom output template
gox build cross -output "{{.Dir}}_{{.OS}}_{{.Arch}}"

# Build current package
gox build cross ./...

# Build with verbose output
gox build cross -verbose

# Clean build directory first
gox build cross -clean

# Any gox command with passthrough
gox _ _ -osarch="linux/amd64 darwin/amd64"
gox _ _ -output "dist/{{.OS}}_{{.Arch}}/{{.Dir}}"

Key Features

• Simple - Easy to use, no complex config
• Fast - Parallel compilation
• All platforms - Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD, more
• Multiple arch - amd64, arm, 386, etc.
• Custom output - Template-based naming
• Clean builds - Optional cleanup
• Verbose mode - See what's happening
• Go native - Uses Go toolchain

Supported Platforms

• OS: linux, darwin, windows, freebsd, netbsd, openbsd, solaris
• Arch: amd64, 386, arm, arm64, ppc64, ppc64le, mips, mipsle, etc.

Notes

• Requires Go installed
• Builds from current directory by default
• Output goes to current directory
• Use -output to customize
• Great for release automation
• Can be used in CI/CD pipelines