---
title: go_protobuf
description: Install protoc-gen-go and provide it as a Protobuf generator.
---

# `go_protobuf`

`go_protobuf` installs `google.golang.org/protobuf/cmd/protoc-gen-go` with the selected managed Go SDK and returns a typed generator for [`protobuf_generate`](../protobuf/protobuf_generate.md).

## Arguments

| Argument | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `version` | Yes | Exact `protoc-gen-go` semantic version without a leading `v`, such as `"1.36.6"`. |
| `deps` | No | Dependencies activated before `go install`, in list order. Defaults to `[]`. |

The helper installs `google.golang.org/protobuf/cmd/protoc-gen-go@v<version>` using the same isolated command directory and managed environment as [`go_install`](go_install.md). Selecting the returned generator activates that installation automatically before `protoc`.

## Example

```starlark
load("@go@1.26.5", "go_protobuf")
load("@protobuf@35.1", "protobuf_generate")

protobuf_generate(
    sources=["proto/service.proto"],
    generator=go_protobuf("1.36.6"),
    output="generated/go",
    proto_paths=["proto"],
    options=["paths=source_relative"],
)
```

<!--
Sitemap

URL: https://withxx.dev/index.md
Title: xx
Description: Practical, reproducible builds without build-system ceremony

URL: https://withxx.dev/examples/commands.md
Title: Command Examples
Description: General command, environment, and entrypoint patterns.

URL: https://withxx.dev/examples/go.md
Title: Go Examples
Description: Common Go build patterns with managed SDKs.

URL: https://withxx.dev/examples/nodejs.md
Title: Node.js Examples
Description: Common Node.js task patterns with a managed distribution.

URL: https://withxx.dev/examples/zig.md
Title: Zig Examples
Description: Direct Zig commands and Go CGO builds with a managed Zig distribution.

URL: https://withxx.dev/load.md
Title: Loading Files
Description: Split xx configuration into local Starlark modules.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/git/git_clone.md
Title: git_clone
Description: Materialize a pinned Git source tree with host Git configuration and access.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/git/git_init_repository.md
Title: git_init_repository
Description: Ensure an empty SHA-1 or SHA-256 Git repository exists.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/go/go.md
Title: go
Description: Activate a managed Go SDK for dependent tasks.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/go/go_binary.md
Title: go_binary
Description: Build a Go command with a managed SDK.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/go/go_install.md
Title: go_install
Description: Install a versioned Go command for dependent tasks.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/go/go_protobuf.md
Title: go_protobuf
Description: Install protoc-gen-go and provide it as a Protobuf generator.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/go/go_run.md
Title: go_run
Description: Run a local program or versioned Go command with a managed SDK.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/go/go_test.md
Title: go_test
Description: Test Go packages with a managed SDK.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/nodejs/nodejs.md
Title: nodejs
Description: Activate managed Node.js for dependent tasks.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/nodejs/npm_install.md
Title: npm_install
Description: Install project dependencies with managed npm.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/nodejs/npm_run.md
Title: npm_run
Description: Run a project package script with managed npm.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/nodejs/npx_run.md
Title: npx_run
Description: Run a versioned npm package command with managed npx.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/os/env_append.md
Title: env_append
Description: Append an item to a list-like environment variable.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/os/env_get.md
Title: env_get
Description: Read a value from a task environment while evaluating Starlark.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/os/env_prepend.md
Title: env_prepend
Description: Prepend an item to a list-like environment variable.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/os/env_set.md
Title: env_set
Description: Set an environment variable for dependent tasks.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/os/env_unset.md
Title: env_unset
Description: Remove an environment variable from dependent tasks.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/os/run.md
Title: run
Description: Run a command from the project root.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/protobuf/protobuf_generate.md
Title: protobuf_generate
Description: Generate source code with a managed Protobuf compiler.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/protobuf/protobuf_generator.md
Title: protobuf_generator
Description: Adapt an installed protoc plugin dependency for code generation.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/protobuf/protoc.md
Title: protoc
Description: Activate a managed Protobuf compiler for dependent tasks.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/zig/zig.md
Title: zig
Description: Activate managed Zig for dependent tasks.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages/zig/zig_cc.md
Title: zig_cc
Description: Configure managed Zig as a C and C++ compiler.

URL: https://withxx.dev/packages.md
Title: Built-in Packages
Description: Versioned toolchains, commands, and task environment helpers provided by xx.
-->