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The README is likely AI-generated. The actual go.mod file lists 1.23.1 as the Go version[1], which implies a requirement of Go 1.23.1 or higher[2].

[1] https://github.com/piyushgupta53/go-torrent-client/blob/6130...

[2] https://go.dev/doc/modules/gomod-ref#go-notes

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Go 1.21 includes an internal auto-updater that can compile later Go versions by looking in the go mod file itself.

So the README is correct.

Automatic toolchain switching does not trigger compilation of later Go toolchains; it only attempts fetching a blob (if available) and using that to perform builds[1]. If a system supports Go 1.21 but not 1.23.1 (e.g. Windows 7, mentioned in a sibling comment), then this project will fail to build on said system. Likewise, if a user on Go 1.21 has disabled automatic toolchain switching, the Go CLI refuses to build the project at all.

Overall, I would say the minimum required Go version is indeed the Go version declared in the go.mod, since that is the declared minimum required toolchain.

[1] https://go.dev/doc/toolchain#select

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