Style Guide Adherence

Overview

Follow established style guides. Consistency over personal preference.

Core principle: Code is read more than written. Consistent style aids reading.

Priority order:

1. Project-specific style guide (if exists)
2. Google style guide (if available for language)
3. Language community best practices

Google Style Guides

Available Guides

Language	Guide URL
TypeScript/JavaScript	https://google.github.io/styleguide/tsguide.html
Python	https://google.github.io/styleguide/pyguide.html
Go	https://google.github.io/styleguide/go/
Java	https://google.github.io/styleguide/javaguide.html
C++	https://google.github.io/styleguide/cppguide.html
Shell	https://google.github.io/styleguide/shellguide.html
HTML/CSS	https://google.github.io/styleguide/htmlcssguide.html

Key Principles (All Languages)

Principle	Description
Consistency	Match surrounding code style
Clarity	Prefer readable over clever
Simplicity	Simplest solution that works
Documentation	Document the why, not the what

TypeScript/JavaScript Style

Naming

// Classes: PascalCase
class UserService { }

// Interfaces: PascalCase (no I prefix)
interface User { }  // NOT IUser

// Functions/methods: camelCase
function fetchUserData() { }

// Variables/parameters: camelCase
const userName = 'Alice';

// Constants: UPPER_SNAKE_CASE
const MAX_RETRIES = 3;

// Private members: no underscore prefix
class Service {
  private cache: Map<string, Data>;  // NOT _cache
}

// Files: kebab-case
// user-service.ts, not userService.ts or UserService.ts

Formatting

// Indent: 2 spaces
// Line length: 80 characters (100 max)
// Semicolons: required
// Quotes: single for strings
// Trailing commas: yes in multiline

const config = {
  name: 'app',
  version: '1.0.0',
  features: [
    'auth',
    'logging',
  ],
};

Imports

// Order: external, then internal, then relative
// Alphabetize within groups

import { something } from 'external-lib';
import { other } from 'another-external';

import { internal } from '@/lib/internal';

import { local } from './local';
import { nearby } from '../nearby';

Python Style

Naming

# Classes: PascalCase
class UserService:
    pass

# Functions/variables: snake_case
def fetch_user_data():
    pass

user_name = 'Alice'

# Constants: UPPER_SNAKE_CASE
MAX_RETRIES = 3

# Private: single underscore prefix
class Service:
    def __init__(self):
        self._cache = {}  # internal use

    def __private_method(self):  # name mangling
        pass

# Files: snake_case
# user_service.py

Formatting

# Indent: 4 spaces
# Line length: 80 characters
# Use Black formatter for consistency

# Imports order (use isort):
# 1. Standard library
# 2. Third-party
# 3. Local

import os
import sys

import requests
from flask import Flask

from myapp.utils import helper

Docstrings

def calculate_total(items: list[Item], tax_rate: float) -> float:
    """Calculate the total price including tax.

    Args:
        items: List of items to sum.
        tax_rate: Tax rate as decimal (e.g., 0.08 for 8%).

    Returns:
        Total price including tax.

    Raises:
        ValueError: If tax_rate is negative.
    """
    if tax_rate < 0:
        raise ValueError("Tax rate cannot be negative")

    subtotal = sum(item.price for item in items)
    return subtotal * (1 + tax_rate)

Go Style

Naming

// Exported: PascalCase
type UserService struct { }
func FetchUser() { }

// Unexported: camelCase
type internalCache struct { }
func fetchFromDB() { }

// Acronyms: consistent case
type HTTPClient struct { }  // or httpClient for unexported
var userID string          // NOT userId

// Files: snake_case
// user_service.go

Formatting

Use gofmt - no options, no debate.

# Format all files
gofmt -w .

# Or use goimports for imports too
goimports -w .

Enforcing Style

Automated Tools

Language	Formatter	Linter
TypeScript	Prettier	ESLint
Python	Black	Pylint, Ruff
Go	gofmt	golangci-lint
Rust	rustfmt	clippy

Configuration Files

Ensure these exist in the project:

TypeScript/JavaScript:

• .eslintrc.js or eslint.config.js
• .prettierrc

Python:

• pyproject.toml (Black, isort, mypy)
• .pylintrc or ruff.toml

Go:

• .golangci.yml

Pre-commit Hooks

# .pre-commit-config.yaml
repos:
  - repo: local
    hooks:
      - id: format
        name: Format code
        entry: pnpm format
        language: system
      - id: lint
        name: Lint code
        entry: pnpm lint
        language: system

When Project Style Differs

If project has established style that differs from Google:

1. Follow project style - Consistency within project wins
2. Document the difference - Note in CONTRIBUTING.md
3. Don't mix styles - All code should match

<!-- CONTRIBUTING.md -->
## Code Style

This project uses [specific style] which differs from Google style:
- We use tabs instead of spaces
- Line length is 120 characters
- [Other differences]

Checking Style

Before committing:

# Run formatter
pnpm format  # or black, gofmt, etc.

# Run linter
pnpm lint    # or pylint, golangci-lint, etc.

# Fix auto-fixable issues
pnpm lint:fix

Checklist

Before committing:

• Code formatted with project formatter
• No linting errors
• Naming follows conventions
• Imports organized
• Line length within limits
• Consistent with surrounding code

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Correction
Inconsistent naming	Follow project conventions
Long lines	Break at logical points
Mixed quote styles	Use project standard
Unorganized imports	Use import sorter
Manual formatting	Use automated formatter

Integration

This skill is applied by:

• issue-driven-development - Step 7
• comprehensive-review - Style criterion

This skill ensures:

• Readable code
• Easy reviews
• Reduced cognitive load
• Team consistency