diff --git a/go/pkg/help/catalog_test.go b/go/pkg/help/catalog_test.go
index 2fa51d2..667c81c 100644
--- a/go/pkg/help/catalog_test.go
+++ b/go/pkg/help/catalog_test.go
@@ -2,9 +2,6 @@ package help
 
 import (
 	. "dappco.re/go"
-	"fmt"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 )
 
 func TestDefaultCatalog_Good(t *T) {
@@ -177,9 +174,9 @@ func TestCatalog_Search_Good_ScoreTiebreaking(t *T) {
 
 func TestCatalog_LoadContentDir_Good(t *T) {
 	dir := t.TempDir()
-	os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "cli"), 0o755)
-	os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "cli", "dev-work.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Dev Work\ntags: [cli, dev]\n---\n\n## Usage\n\ncore dev work syncs your workspace.\n"), 0o644)
-	os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "cli", "setup.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Setup\ntags: [cli]\n---\n\n## Installation\n\nRun core setup to get started.\n"), 0o644)
+	MkdirAll(PathJoin(dir, "cli"), 0o755)
+	WriteFile(PathJoin(dir, "cli", "dev-work.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Dev Work\ntags: [cli, dev]\n---\n\n## Usage\n\ncore dev work syncs your workspace.\n"), 0o644)
+	WriteFile(PathJoin(dir, "cli", "setup.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Setup\ntags: [cli]\n---\n\n## Installation\n\nRun core setup to get started.\n"), 0o644)
 
 	catalog, err := LoadContentDir(dir)
 	RequireNoError(t, err)
@@ -203,8 +200,8 @@ func TestCatalog_LoadContentDir_Good_Empty(t *T) {
 
 func TestCatalog_LoadContentDir_Good_SkipsNonMd(t *T) {
 	dir := t.TempDir()
-	os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "readme.txt"), []byte("not markdown"), 0o644)
-	os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "topic.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Topic\n---\n\nContent here.\n"), 0o644)
+	WriteFile(PathJoin(dir, "readme.txt"), []byte("not markdown"), 0o644)
+	WriteFile(PathJoin(dir, "topic.md"), []byte("---\ntitle: Topic\n---\n\nContent here.\n"), 0o644)
 
 	catalog, err := LoadContentDir(dir)
 	RequireNoError(t, err)
@@ -220,18 +217,18 @@ func BenchmarkSearch(b *B) {
 
 	for i := range 150 {
 		c.Add(&Topic{
-			ID:      fmt.Sprintf("topic-%d", i),
-			Title:   fmt.Sprintf("Topic Number %d About Various Subjects", i),
-			Content: fmt.Sprintf("This is the content of topic %d. It covers installation, configuration, deployment, and testing of the system.", i),
-			Tags:    []string{"generated", fmt.Sprintf("tag%d", i%10)},
+			ID:      Sprintf("topic-%d", i),
+			Title:   Sprintf("Topic Number %d About Various Subjects", i),
+			Content: Sprintf("This is the content of topic %d. It covers installation, configuration, deployment, and testing of the system.", i),
+			Tags:    []string{"generated", Sprintf("tag%d", i%10)},
 			Sections: []Section{
 				{
-					ID:      fmt.Sprintf("section-%d-a", i),
+					ID:      Sprintf("section-%d-a", i),
 					Title:   "Overview",
 					Content: "An overview of the topic and its purpose.",
 				},
 				{
-					ID:      fmt.Sprintf("section-%d-b", i),
+					ID:      Sprintf("section-%d-b", i),
 					Title:   "Details",
 					Content: "Detailed information about the topic including examples and usage.",
 				},
diff --git a/go/pkg/help/generate_test.go b/go/pkg/help/generate_test.go
index b6ce1bc..30eaaa5 100644
--- a/go/pkg/help/generate_test.go
+++ b/go/pkg/help/generate_test.go
@@ -3,11 +3,27 @@ package help
 
 import (
 	. "dappco.re/go"
-	"encoding/json"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 )
 
+// statExists is a small test helper that reports OK iff the path exists.
+func statExists(path string) error {
+	r := Stat(path)
+	if !r.OK {
+		return r.Value.(error)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// readFileBytes returns the bytes at path or fails the test.
+func readFileBytes(t *T, path string) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	r := ReadFile(path)
+	if !r.OK {
+		t.Fatal(r.Error())
+	}
+	return r.Value.([]byte)
+}
+
 // testCatalog builds a small catalog for generator tests.
 func testCatalog() *Catalog {
 	c := &Catalog{
@@ -51,9 +67,8 @@ func TestGenerate_Good_FileStructure(t *T) {
 	}
 
 	for _, f := range expectedFiles {
-		path := filepath.Join(dir, f)
-		_, err := os.Stat(path)
-		AssertNoError(t, err, "expected generated file to exist: "+f)
+		path := PathJoin(dir, f)
+		AssertNoError(t, statExists(path), "expected generated file to exist: "+f)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -64,10 +79,7 @@ func TestGenerate_Good_IndexContainsTopics(t *T) {
 	err := Generate(catalog, dir)
 	RequireNoError(t, err)
 
-	content, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "index.html"))
-	RequireNoError(t, err)
-
-	html := string(content)
+	html := string(readFileBytes(t, PathJoin(dir, "index.html")))
 	AssertContains(t, html, "Getting Started")
 	AssertContains(t, html, "Configuration")
 }
@@ -79,10 +91,7 @@ func TestGenerate_Good_TopicContainsRenderedMarkdown(t *T) {
 	err := Generate(catalog, dir)
 	RequireNoError(t, err)
 
-	content, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "topics", "getting-started.html"))
-	RequireNoError(t, err)
-
-	html := string(content)
+	html := string(readFileBytes(t, PathJoin(dir, "topics", "getting-started.html")))
 	AssertContains(t, html, "Getting Started")
 	AssertContains(t, html, "<strong>guide</strong>")
 }
@@ -94,11 +103,12 @@ func TestGenerate_Good_SearchIndexJSON(t *T) {
 	err := Generate(catalog, dir)
 	RequireNoError(t, err)
 
-	content, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "search-index.json"))
-	RequireNoError(t, err)
+	content := readFileBytes(t, PathJoin(dir, "search-index.json"))
 
 	var entries []searchIndexEntry
-	RequireNoError(t, json.Unmarshal(content, &entries))
+	if r := JSONUnmarshal(content, &entries); !r.OK {
+		t.Fatal(r.Error())
+	}
 	AssertLen(t, entries, 2, "search index should contain all topics")
 
 	// Verify fields are populated
@@ -119,10 +129,7 @@ func TestGenerate_Good_404Exists(t *T) {
 	err := Generate(catalog, dir)
 	RequireNoError(t, err)
 
-	content, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "404.html"))
-	RequireNoError(t, err)
-
-	html := string(content)
+	html := string(readFileBytes(t, PathJoin(dir, "404.html")))
 	AssertContains(t, html, "404")
 	AssertContains(t, html, "Not Found")
 }
@@ -149,9 +156,7 @@ func TestGenerate_Good_OverwriteExisting(t *T) {
 	AssertNoError(t, err)
 
 	// Verify files still exist and are valid
-	content, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "index.html"))
-	RequireNoError(t, err)
-	AssertContains(t, string(content), "Getting Started")
+	AssertContains(t, string(readFileBytes(t, PathJoin(dir, "index.html"))), "Getting Started")
 }
 
 func TestGenerate_Good_SearchPageHasScript(t *T) {
@@ -161,10 +166,7 @@ func TestGenerate_Good_SearchPageHasScript(t *T) {
 	err := Generate(catalog, dir)
 	RequireNoError(t, err)
 
-	content, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "search.html"))
-	RequireNoError(t, err)
-
-	html := string(content)
+	html := string(readFileBytes(t, PathJoin(dir, "search.html")))
 	AssertContains(t, html, "<script>")
 	AssertContains(t, html, "search-index.json")
 }
@@ -180,13 +182,13 @@ func TestGenerate_Good_EmptyCatalog(t *T) {
 	RequireNoError(t, err)
 
 	// index.html should still exist
-	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "index.html"))
-	AssertNoError(t, err)
+	AssertNoError(t, statExists(PathJoin(dir, "index.html")))
 
 	// search-index.json should be valid empty array
-	content, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "search-index.json"))
-	RequireNoError(t, err)
+	content := readFileBytes(t, PathJoin(dir, "search-index.json"))
 	var entries []searchIndexEntry
-	RequireNoError(t, json.Unmarshal(content, &entries))
+	if r := JSONUnmarshal(content, &entries); !r.OK {
+		t.Fatal(r.Error())
+	}
 	AssertEmpty(t, entries)
 }
diff --git a/go/pkg/help/integration_test.go b/go/pkg/help/integration_test.go
index 34bc025..b6d0c97 100644
--- a/go/pkg/help/integration_test.go
+++ b/go/pkg/help/integration_test.go
@@ -3,18 +3,19 @@ package help
 
 import (
 	. "dappco.re/go"
-	"encoding/json"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 )
 
 func TestIntegration_Good_FullPipeline(t *T) {
 	// 1. Create content directory
 	contentDir := t.TempDir()
-	RequireNoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(contentDir, "cli"), 0o755))
-	RequireNoError(t, os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(contentDir, "go"), 0o755))
+	if r := MkdirAll(PathJoin(contentDir, "cli"), 0o755); !r.OK {
+		t.Fatal(r.Error())
+	}
+	if r := MkdirAll(PathJoin(contentDir, "go"), 0o755); !r.OK {
+		t.Fatal(r.Error())
+	}
 
-	RequireNoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(contentDir, "cli", "dev-work.md"), []byte(`---
+	if r := WriteFile(PathJoin(contentDir, "cli", "dev-work.md"), []byte(`---
 title: Dev Work
 tags: [cli]
 order: 1
@@ -27,9 +28,11 @@ core dev work syncs your workspace.
 ## Flags
 
 --status  Show status only
-`), 0o644))
+`), 0o644); !r.OK {
+		t.Fatal(r.Error())
+	}
 
-	RequireNoError(t, os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(contentDir, "go", "go-scm.md"), []byte(`---
+	if r := WriteFile(PathJoin(contentDir, "go", "go-scm.md"), []byte(`---
 title: Go SCM
 tags: [go, library]
 order: 2
@@ -38,7 +41,9 @@ order: 2
 ## Overview
 
 Registry and git operations for the workspace.
-`), 0o644))
+`), 0o644); !r.OK {
+		t.Fatal(r.Error())
+	}
 
 	// 2. Load into catalog
 	catalog, err := LoadContentDir(contentDir)
@@ -51,37 +56,30 @@ Registry and git operations for the workspace.
 	RequireNoError(t, err)
 
 	// 4. Verify file structure
-	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(outputDir, "index.html"))
-	AssertNoError(t, err)
-	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(outputDir, "search.html"))
-	AssertNoError(t, err)
-	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(outputDir, "search-index.json"))
-	AssertNoError(t, err)
-	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(outputDir, "404.html"))
-	AssertNoError(t, err)
-	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(outputDir, "topics", "dev-work.html"))
-	AssertNoError(t, err)
-	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Join(outputDir, "topics", "go-scm.html"))
-	AssertNoError(t, err)
+	AssertNoError(t, statExists(PathJoin(outputDir, "index.html")))
+	AssertNoError(t, statExists(PathJoin(outputDir, "search.html")))
+	AssertNoError(t, statExists(PathJoin(outputDir, "search-index.json")))
+	AssertNoError(t, statExists(PathJoin(outputDir, "404.html")))
+	AssertNoError(t, statExists(PathJoin(outputDir, "topics", "dev-work.html")))
+	AssertNoError(t, statExists(PathJoin(outputDir, "topics", "go-scm.html")))
 
 	// 5. Verify search index
-	indexData, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(outputDir, "search-index.json"))
-	RequireNoError(t, err)
+	indexData := readFileBytes(t, PathJoin(outputDir, "search-index.json"))
 	var entries []searchIndexEntry
-	RequireNoError(t, json.Unmarshal(indexData, &entries))
+	if r := JSONUnmarshal(indexData, &entries); !r.OK {
+		t.Fatal(r.Error())
+	}
 	AssertLen(t, entries, 2)
 
 	// 6. Verify HTML content has HLCRF structure
-	indexHTML, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(outputDir, "index.html"))
-	RequireNoError(t, err)
+	indexHTML := readFileBytes(t, PathJoin(outputDir, "index.html"))
 	AssertContains(t, string(indexHTML), "Dev Work")
 	AssertContains(t, string(indexHTML), "Go SCM")
 	AssertContains(t, string(indexHTML), `role="banner"`)
 	AssertContains(t, string(indexHTML), `role="main"`)
 
 	// 7. Verify topic page has section anchors
-	topicHTML, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(outputDir, "topics", "dev-work.html"))
-	RequireNoError(t, err)
+	topicHTML := readFileBytes(t, PathJoin(outputDir, "topics", "dev-work.html"))
 	AssertContains(t, string(topicHTML), `href="#usage"`)
 	AssertContains(t, string(topicHTML), `href="#flags"`)
 	AssertContains(t, string(topicHTML), `role="complementary"`)