diff --git a/.github/workflows/apidiff.yml b/.github/workflows/apidiff.yml
index 9f5bdabdbad..c9752d9cdd9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/apidiff.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/apidiff.yml
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: "~1.22"
+          go-version-file: go.mod
       - name: Execute go-apidiff
         uses: joelanford/go-apidiff@v0.8.2
         with:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/external-plugin.yml b/.github/workflows/external-plugin.yml
index d177dba8f16..71d6e04ee1d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/external-plugin.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/external-plugin.yml
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '1.22.3'
+          go-version-file: docs/book/src/simple-external-plugin-tutorial/testdata/sampleexternalplugin/v1/go.mod
 
       - name: Build Sample External Plugin
         working-directory: docs/book/src/simple-external-plugin-tutorial/testdata/sampleexternalplugin/v1
diff --git a/.github/workflows/legacy-webhook-path.yml b/.github/workflows/legacy-webhook-path.yml
index c094e23de76..880544d5986 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/legacy-webhook-path.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/legacy-webhook-path.yml
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '1.22.3'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
       - name: Run make test-legacy
         run: make test-legacy
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/lint-sample.yml b/.github/workflows/lint-sample.yml
index 1a4a3753cdb..7ac928c9c2c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/lint-sample.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/lint-sample.yml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
         with:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index 76d9e378ab7..16664976e60 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@ jobs:
     # Pull requests from the same repository won't trigger this checks as they were already triggered by the push
     if: (github.event_name == 'push' || github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name != github.repository)
     steps:
+      - name: Clone the code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
-      - name: Clone the code
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+          go-version-file: go.mod
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
         with:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index c6c6747a8af..924904f5034 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
       - name: Clean dist directory
         run: rm -rf dist || true
       - name: Install Syft to generate SBOMs
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-devcontainer.yaml b/.github/workflows/test-devcontainer.yaml
index 0da5e603abb..2caaa31dee6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-devcontainer.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-devcontainer.yaml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go 1.22.x
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: "1.22.x"
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Setup NodeJS 20.x
         uses: actions/setup-node@v4
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-e2e-book.yml b/.github/workflows/test-e2e-book.yml
index 1264d9a7502..0dcc0000501 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-e2e-book.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-e2e-book.yml
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-e2e-samples.yml b/.github/workflows/test-e2e-samples.yml
index a25078f4388..1a73e9f6890 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-e2e-samples.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-e2e-samples.yml
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-helm-samples.yml b/.github/workflows/test-helm-samples.yml
index daec657ffd8..94939ccf5ca 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-helm-samples.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-helm-samples.yml
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: "~1.22"
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/testdata.yml b/.github/workflows/testdata.yml
index ef44c044656..b0fab3f57fb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/testdata.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/testdata.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '1.22.3'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
       - name: Remove pre-installed kustomize
         # This step is needed as the following one tries to remove
         # kustomize for each test but has no permission to do so
diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/unit-tests.yml
index 98e4795751c..4019916ab13 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit-tests.yml
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
       # This step is needed as the following one tries to remove
       # kustomize for each test but has no permission to do so
       - name: Remove pre-installed kustomize
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: "1.22"
+          go-version-file: go.mod
       - name: Generate the coverage output
         run: make test-coverage
       - name: Send the coverage output
diff --git a/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index f40d36579ce..8ae2879bfa9 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
diff --git a/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml b/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
index 8780644002a..b2eda8c3db0 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml b/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 7baf6579399..fc2e80d304d 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Running Tests
         run: |
diff --git a/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index f40d36579ce..8ae2879bfa9 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
diff --git a/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml b/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
index 8780644002a..b2eda8c3db0 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml b/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 7baf6579399..fc2e80d304d 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Running Tests
         run: |
diff --git a/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index f40d36579ce..8ae2879bfa9 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
diff --git a/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml b/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
index 8780644002a..b2eda8c3db0 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml b/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 7baf6579399..fc2e80d304d 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Running Tests
         run: |
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index b2cadaf281b..76282b50606 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 module sigs.k8s.io/kubebuilder/v4
 
-go 1.22.0
-
-toolchain go1.22.3
+go 1.22.3
 
 require (
 	github.com/gobuffalo/flect v1.0.3
diff --git a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/lint.go b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/lint.go
index 909d8a3278d..d6c629f3901 100644
--- a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/lint.go
+++ b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/lint.go
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
diff --git a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test-e2e.go b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test-e2e.go
index f2a031a2742..e5620ec29f0 100644
--- a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test-e2e.go
+++ b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test-e2e.go
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test.go b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test.go
index 8e1dfdf5fe3..8701bd8ffd9 100644
--- a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test.go
+++ b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test.go
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Running Tests
         run: |
diff --git a/pkg/plugins/optional/helm/v1alpha/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test_chart.go b/pkg/plugins/optional/helm/v1alpha/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test_chart.go
index 27e67118f55..86aac141813 100644
--- a/pkg/plugins/optional/helm/v1alpha/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test_chart.go
+++ b/pkg/plugins/optional/helm/v1alpha/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/test_chart.go
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index f40d36579ce..8ae2879bfa9 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
index 8780644002a..b2eda8c3db0 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/test.yml b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 7baf6579399..fc2e80d304d 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Running Tests
         run: |
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index f40d36579ce..8ae2879bfa9 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test-chart.yml b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test-chart.yml
index bae16f7a169..89351bb29ae 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test-chart.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test-chart.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
index 8780644002a..b2eda8c3db0 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test.yml b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 7baf6579399..fc2e80d304d 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Running Tests
         run: |
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index f40d36579ce..8ae2879bfa9 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml b/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
index 8780644002a..b2eda8c3db0 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Install the latest version of kind
         run: |
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/test.yml b/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 7baf6579399..fc2e80d304d 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
         with:
-          go-version: '~1.22'
+          go-version-file: go.mod
 
       - name: Running Tests
         run: |