runtime error: invalid memory address or nil pointer dereference

Workarounds

1. 96% success Add nil checks before dereferencing: if ptr != nil { ... }

   if user != nil {
     fmt.Println(user.Name)
   }
   // For nested pointers:
   if resp != nil && resp.Body != nil {
     defer resp.Body.Close()
   }

   Sources: https://go.dev/doc/effective_go#errors

2. 94% success Use the comma-ok idiom for map lookups and type assertions

   // Map lookup:
   val, ok := myMap[key]
   if !ok { return fmt.Errorf("key %q not found", key) }
   // Type assertion:
   str, ok := iface.(string)
   if !ok { return fmt.Errorf("expected string, got %T", iface) }

   Sources: https://go.dev/doc/effective_go#interface_conversions

3. 90% success Return concrete types with zero values instead of nil pointers

   // Instead of returning *Config (can be nil):
   func NewConfig() Config {
     return Config{Timeout: 30 * time.Second, Retries: 3}
   }
   // Use value receivers on the zero value:
   var c Config  // safe to use immediately

   Sources: https://go.dev/doc/effective_go#pointers_vs_values