diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 9271c502..d69dae54 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ Each check is currently just a function of type `CheckFn`.
 The signature is:
 
 ```golang
-type CheckFn func(c.Checker) CheckResult
+type CheckFn func(*c.Checker) CheckResult
 ```
 
 Checks are registered in an init function:
diff --git a/checker/check_runner.go b/checker/check_runner.go
index 956728e9..32fef69c 100644
--- a/checker/check_runner.go
+++ b/checker/check_runner.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ type Runner struct {
 	CheckRequest CheckRequest
 }
 
-type CheckFn func(CheckRequest) CheckResult
+type CheckFn func(*CheckRequest) CheckResult
 
 type CheckNameToFnMap map[string]CheckFn
 
@@ -44,13 +44,12 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(f CheckFn) CheckResult {
 		checkRequest := r.CheckRequest
 		l = logger{}
 		checkRequest.Logf = l.Logf
-		res = f(checkRequest)
+		res = f(&checkRequest)
 		if res.ShouldRetry && !strings.Contains(res.Error.Error(), "invalid header field value") {
 			checkRequest.Logf("error, retrying: %s", res.Error)
 			continue
 		}
 		break
-
 	}
 	res.Details = l.messages
 	return res
@@ -64,7 +63,7 @@ func Bool2int(b bool) int {
 }
 
 func MultiCheck(fns ...CheckFn) CheckFn {
-	return func(c CheckRequest) CheckResult {
+	return func(c *CheckRequest) CheckResult {
 		var maxResult CheckResult
 
 		for _, fn := range fns {
diff --git a/checks/active.go b/checks/active.go
index 21936481..5f356d7d 100644
--- a/checks/active.go
+++ b/checks/active.go
@@ -30,13 +30,16 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(activeStr, IsActive)
 }
 
-func IsActive(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func IsActive(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	commits, _, err := c.Client.Repositories.ListCommits(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo, &github.CommitsListOptions{})
 	if err != nil {
 		return checker.MakeRetryResult(activeStr, err)
 	}
 
-	tz, _ := time.LoadLocation("UTC")
+	tz, err := time.LoadLocation("UTC")
+	if err != nil {
+		return checker.MakeRetryResult(activeStr, err)
+	}
 	threshold := time.Now().In(tz).AddDate(0, 0, -1*lookbackDays)
 	totalCommits := 0
 	for _, commit := range commits {
diff --git a/checks/branch_protected.go b/checks/branch_protected.go
index c314f597..e07b688a 100644
--- a/checks/branch_protected.go
+++ b/checks/branch_protected.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(branchProtectionStr, BranchProtection)
 }
 
-func BranchProtection(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func BranchProtection(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	repo, _, err := c.Client.Repositories.Get(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo)
 	if err != nil {
 		return checker.MakeRetryResult(branchProtectionStr, err)
@@ -48,10 +48,9 @@ func BranchProtection(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 		}
 	}
 	return IsBranchProtected(protection, c)
-
 }
 
-func IsBranchProtected(protection *github.Protection, c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func IsBranchProtected(protection *github.Protection, c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	totalChecks := 6
 	totalSuccess := 0
 
diff --git a/checks/branch_protected_test.go b/checks/branch_protected_test.go
index a131c81f..f0e4d3a3 100644
--- a/checks/branch_protected_test.go
+++ b/checks/branch_protected_test.go
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ func (l *log) Logf(s string, f ...interface{}) {
 }
 
 func TestIsBranchProtected(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
 	type args struct {
 		protection *github.Protection
 		c          checker.CheckRequest
@@ -440,9 +441,11 @@ func TestIsBranchProtected(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
+		tt := tt // Re-initializing variable so it is not changed while executing the closure below
 		l.messages = []string{}
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			got := IsBranchProtected(tt.args.protection, tt.args.c)
+			t.Parallel()
+			got := IsBranchProtected(tt.args.protection, &tt.args.c)
 			got.Details = l.messages
 			if got.Confidence != tt.want.Confidence || got.Pass != tt.want.Pass {
 				t.Errorf("IsBranchProtected() = %s, %v, want %v", tt.name, got, tt.want)
diff --git a/checks/checkforfile.go b/checks/checkforfile.go
index 28b4878c..e8d76461 100644
--- a/checks/checkforfile.go
+++ b/checks/checkforfile.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import (
 
 // CheckIfFileExists downloads the tar of the repository and calls the predicate to check
 // for the occurrence.
-func CheckIfFileExists(checkName string, c checker.CheckRequest, predicate func(name string,
+func CheckIfFileExists(checkName string, c *checker.CheckRequest, predicate func(name string,
 	Logf func(s string, f ...interface{})) bool) checker.CheckResult {
 	r, _, err := c.Client.Repositories.Get(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/checks/ci_tests.go b/checks/ci_tests.go
index 52971abe..62922c2b 100644
--- a/checks/ci_tests.go
+++ b/checks/ci_tests.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(ciTestsStr, CITests)
 }
 
-func CITests(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func CITests(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	prs, _, err := c.Client.PullRequests.List(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo, &github.PullRequestListOptions{
 		State: "closed",
 	})
diff --git a/checks/cii_best_practices.go b/checks/cii_best_practices.go
index be5ce65d..8f07e651 100644
--- a/checks/cii_best_practices.go
+++ b/checks/cii_best_practices.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ type response struct {
 	BadgeLevel string `json:"badge_level"`
 }
 
-func CIIBestPractices(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func CIIBestPractices(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	repoUrl := fmt.Sprintf("https://github.com/%s/%s", c.Owner, c.Repo)
 	url := fmt.Sprintf("https://bestpractices.coreinfrastructure.org/projects.json?url=%s", repoUrl)
 	resp, err := c.HttpClient.Get(url)
diff --git a/checks/code_review.go b/checks/code_review.go
index eafdc1bc..c2492270 100644
--- a/checks/code_review.go
+++ b/checks/code_review.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func init() {
 // - Looking at the repo configuration to see if reviews are required
 // - Checking if most of the recent merged PRs were "Approved"
 // - Looking for other well-known review labels
-func DoesCodeReview(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func DoesCodeReview(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	return checker.MultiCheck(
 		IsPrReviewRequired,
 		GithubCodeReview,
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func DoesCodeReview(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	)(c)
 }
 
-func GithubCodeReview(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func GithubCodeReview(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	// Look at some merged PRs to see if they were reviewed
 	prs, _, err := c.Client.PullRequests.List(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo, &github.PullRequestListOptions{
 		State: "closed",
@@ -87,7 +87,6 @@ func GithubCodeReview(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 				}
 			}
 		}
-
 	}
 
 	if totalReviewed > 0 {
@@ -96,7 +95,7 @@ func GithubCodeReview(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	return checker.MakeProportionalResult(codeReviewStr, totalReviewed, totalMerged, .75)
 }
 
-func IsPrReviewRequired(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func IsPrReviewRequired(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	// Look to see if review is enforced.
 	r, _, err := c.Client.Repositories.Get(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -120,7 +119,7 @@ func IsPrReviewRequired(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	return checker.MakeInconclusiveResult(codeReviewStr)
 }
 
-func ProwCodeReview(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func ProwCodeReview(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	// Look at some merged PRs to see if they were reviewed
 	prs, _, err := c.Client.PullRequests.List(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo, &github.PullRequestListOptions{
 		State: "closed",
@@ -151,7 +150,7 @@ func ProwCodeReview(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	return checker.MakeProportionalResult(codeReviewStr, totalReviewed, totalMerged, .75)
 }
 
-func CommitMessageHints(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func CommitMessageHints(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	commits, _, err := c.Client.Repositories.ListCommits(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo, &github.CommitsListOptions{})
 	if err != nil {
 		return checker.MakeRetryResult(codeReviewStr, err)
diff --git a/checks/contributors.go b/checks/contributors.go
index dc6e7948..765e2668 100644
--- a/checks/contributors.go
+++ b/checks/contributors.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(contributorsStr, Contributors)
 }
 
-func Contributors(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func Contributors(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	contribs, _, err := c.Client.Repositories.ListContributors(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo, &github.ListContributorsOptions{})
 	if err != nil {
 		return checker.MakeRetryResult(contributorsStr, err)
@@ -40,29 +40,30 @@ func Contributors(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	companies := map[string]struct{}{}
 	for _, contrib := range contribs {
 		//nolint:nestif
-		if contrib.GetContributions() >= minContributionsPerUser {
-			u, _, err := c.Client.Users.Get(c.Ctx, contrib.GetLogin())
-			if err != nil {
-				return checker.MakeRetryResult(contributorsStr, err)
-			}
-			orgs, _, err := c.Client.Organizations.List(c.Ctx, contrib.GetLogin(), nil)
-			if err != nil {
-				c.Logf("unable to get org members for %s", contrib.GetLogin())
-			} else if len(orgs) > 0 {
-				companies[*orgs[0].Login] = struct{}{}
-				continue
-			}
+		if contrib.GetContributions() < minContributionsPerUser {
+			continue
+		}
+		u, _, err := c.Client.Users.Get(c.Ctx, contrib.GetLogin())
+		if err != nil {
+			return checker.MakeRetryResult(contributorsStr, err)
+		}
+		orgs, _, err := c.Client.Organizations.List(c.Ctx, contrib.GetLogin(), nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			c.Logf("unable to get org members for %s", contrib.GetLogin())
+		} else if len(orgs) > 0 {
+			companies[*orgs[0].Login] = struct{}{}
+			continue
+		}
 
-			company := u.GetCompany()
-			if company != "" {
-				company = strings.ToLower(company)
-				company = strings.ReplaceAll(company, "inc.", "")
-				company = strings.ReplaceAll(company, "llc", "")
-				company = strings.ReplaceAll(company, ",", "")
-				company = strings.TrimLeft(company, "@")
-				company = strings.Trim(company, " ")
-				companies[company] = struct{}{}
-			}
+		company := u.GetCompany()
+		if company != "" {
+			company = strings.ToLower(company)
+			company = strings.ReplaceAll(company, "inc.", "")
+			company = strings.ReplaceAll(company, "llc", "")
+			company = strings.ReplaceAll(company, ",", "")
+			company = strings.TrimLeft(company, "@")
+			company = strings.Trim(company, " ")
+			companies[company] = struct{}{}
 		}
 	}
 	names := []string{}
diff --git a/checks/frozen_deps.go b/checks/frozen_deps.go
index bca59101..d7fed397 100644
--- a/checks/frozen_deps.go
+++ b/checks/frozen_deps.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 // FrozenDeps will check the repository if it contains frozen dependecies.
-func FrozenDeps(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func FrozenDeps(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	return CheckIfFileExists(frozenDepsStr, c, filePredicate)
 }
 
diff --git a/checks/fuzzing.go b/checks/fuzzing.go
index 938f51f3..b533f117 100644
--- a/checks/fuzzing.go
+++ b/checks/fuzzing.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(fuzzingStr, Fuzzing)
 }
 
-func Fuzzing(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func Fuzzing(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	url := fmt.Sprintf("github.com/%s/%s", c.Owner, c.Repo)
 	searchString := url + " repo:google/oss-fuzz in:file filename:project.yaml"
 	results, _, err := c.Client.Search.Code(c.Ctx, searchString, &github.SearchOptions{})
diff --git a/checks/packaging.go b/checks/packaging.go
index 74f02950..9ecc8aee 100644
--- a/checks/packaging.go
+++ b/checks/packaging.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(packagingStr, Packaging)
 }
 
-func Packaging(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func Packaging(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	_, dc, _, err := c.Client.Repositories.GetContents(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo, ".github/workflows", &github.RepositoryContentGetOptions{})
 	if err != nil {
 		return checker.MakeRetryResult(packagingStr, err)
@@ -78,11 +78,11 @@ func Packaging(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	}
 }
 
-func isPackagingWorkflow(s string, fp string, c checker.CheckRequest) bool {
+func isPackagingWorkflow(s, fp string, c *checker.CheckRequest) bool {
 	// nodejs packages
 	if strings.Contains(s, "uses: actions/setup-node@") {
-		r1, _ := regexp.Compile(`(?s)registry-url.*https://registry\.npmjs\.org`)
-		r2, _ := regexp.Compile(`(?s)npm.*publish`)
+		r1 := regexp.MustCompile(`(?s)registry-url.*https://registry\.npmjs\.org`)
+		r2 := regexp.MustCompile(`(?s)npm.*publish`)
 
 		if r1.MatchString(s) && r2.MatchString(s) {
 			c.Logf("found node packaging workflow using npm: %s", fp)
@@ -92,14 +92,14 @@ func isPackagingWorkflow(s string, fp string, c checker.CheckRequest) bool {
 
 	if strings.Contains(s, "uses: actions/setup-java@") {
 		// java packages with maven
-		r1, _ := regexp.Compile(`(?s)mvn.*deploy`)
+		r1 := regexp.MustCompile(`(?s)mvn.*deploy`)
 		if r1.MatchString(s) {
 			c.Logf("found java packaging workflow using maven: %s", fp)
 			return true
 		}
 
 		// java packages with gradle
-		r2, _ := regexp.Compile(`(?s)gradle.*publish`)
+		r2 := regexp.MustCompile(`(?s)gradle.*publish`)
 		if r2.MatchString(s) {
 			c.Logf("found java packaging workflow using gradle: %s", fp)
 			return true
diff --git a/checks/pull_requests.go b/checks/pull_requests.go
index 48657598..d8908279 100644
--- a/checks/pull_requests.go
+++ b/checks/pull_requests.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(pullRequestsStr, PullRequests)
 }
 
-func PullRequests(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func PullRequests(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	commits, _, err := c.Client.Repositories.ListCommits(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo, &github.CommitsListOptions{})
 	if err != nil {
 		return checker.MakeRetryResult(pullRequestsStr, err)
diff --git a/checks/sast.go b/checks/sast.go
index c87af892..9a7e9ef0 100644
--- a/checks/sast.go
+++ b/checks/sast.go
@@ -27,14 +27,14 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(sastStr, SAST)
 }
 
-func SAST(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func SAST(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	return checker.MultiCheck(
 		CodeQLInCheckDefinitions,
 		SASTToolInCheckRuns,
 	)(c)
 }
 
-func SASTToolInCheckRuns(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func SASTToolInCheckRuns(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	prs, _, err := c.Client.PullRequests.List(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo, &github.PullRequestListOptions{
 		State: "closed",
 	})
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func SASTToolInCheckRuns(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	return checker.MakeProportionalResult(sastStr, totalTested, totalMerged, .75)
 }
 
-func CodeQLInCheckDefinitions(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func CodeQLInCheckDefinitions(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	searchQuery := ("github/codeql-action path:/.github/workflows repo:" + c.Owner + "/" + c.Repo)
 	results, _, err := c.Client.Search.Code(c.Ctx, searchQuery, &github.SearchOptions{})
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/checks/security_policy.go b/checks/security_policy.go
index 285d7f24..d2e614c7 100644
--- a/checks/security_policy.go
+++ b/checks/security_policy.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(securityPolicyStr, SecurityPolicy)
 }
 
-func SecurityPolicy(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func SecurityPolicy(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	// check repository for repository-specific policy
 	result := CheckIfFileExists(securityPolicyStr, c, func(name string, logf func(s string, f ...interface{})) bool {
 		if strings.EqualFold(name, "security.md") {
diff --git a/checks/signed_releases.go b/checks/signed_releases.go
index 5c193a40..6342d516 100644
--- a/checks/signed_releases.go
+++ b/checks/signed_releases.go
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(signedReleasesStr, SignedReleases)
 }
 
-func SignedReleases(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func SignedReleases(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	releases, _, err := c.Client.Repositories.ListReleases(c.Ctx, c.Owner, c.Repo, &github.ListOptions{})
 	if err != nil {
 		return checker.MakeRetryResult(signedReleasesStr, err)
diff --git a/checks/signed_tags.go b/checks/signed_tags.go
index 4318e81f..2e3807c3 100644
--- a/checks/signed_tags.go
+++ b/checks/signed_tags.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func init() {
 	registerCheck(signedTagsStr, SignedTags)
 }
 
-func SignedTags(c checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
+func SignedTags(c *checker.CheckRequest) checker.CheckResult {
 	type ref struct {
 		Name   githubv4.String
 		Target struct {
diff --git a/cmd/root.go b/cmd/root.go
index 8feb5828..7c07dfa1 100644
--- a/cmd/root.go
+++ b/cmd/root.go
@@ -63,7 +63,10 @@ or ./scorecard --{npm,pypi,rubgems}=<package_name> [--checks=check1,...] [--show
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		cfg := zap.NewProductionConfig()
 		cfg.Level.SetLevel(*logLevel)
-		logger, _ := cfg.Build()
+		logger, err := cfg.Build()
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("unable to construct logger: %v", err)
+		}
 		// nolint
 		defer logger.Sync() // flushes buffer, if any
 		sugar := logger.Sugar()
diff --git a/cmd/serve.go b/cmd/serve.go
index 60a5da78..b4e1147f 100644
--- a/cmd/serve.go
+++ b/cmd/serve.go
@@ -42,7 +42,10 @@ var serveCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		cfg := zap.NewProductionConfig()
 		cfg.Level.SetLevel(*logLevel)
-		logger, _ := cfg.Build()
+		logger, err := cfg.Build()
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("unable to construct logger: %v", err)
+		}
 		//nolint
 		defer logger.Sync() // flushes buffer, if any
 		sugar := logger.Sugar()
@@ -122,7 +125,7 @@ func encodeJson(repo string, results []checker.CheckResult) ([]byte, error) {
 	}
 	output, err := json.Marshal(or)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to json encode results: %w", err)
 	}
 	return output, nil
 }
diff --git a/e2e/active_test.go b/e2e/active_test.go
index 5c8a2164..dbaad610 100644
--- a/e2e/active_test.go
+++ b/e2e/active_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Active", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Active", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.IsActive(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.IsActive(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/branchprotection_test.go b/e2e/branchprotection_test.go
index 894c6d23..9747faf4 100644
--- a/e2e/branchprotection_test.go
+++ b/e2e/branchprotection_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Branch Protection", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Branch Protection", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.BranchProtection(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.BranchProtection(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).ShouldNot(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeFalse())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/ci_tests_test.go b/e2e/ci_tests_test.go
index 75b07826..049b755e 100644
--- a/e2e/ci_tests_test.go
+++ b/e2e/ci_tests_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:CITests", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:CITests", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.CITests(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.CITests(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/cii_best_practices_test.go b/e2e/cii_best_practices_test.go
index ad90c22c..c81b9118 100644
--- a/e2e/cii_best_practices_test.go
+++ b/e2e/cii_best_practices_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:CIIBestPractices", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:CIIBestPractices", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.CIIBestPractices(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.CIIBestPractices(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/code_review_test.go b/e2e/code_review_test.go
index f599340d..0117f4e3 100644
--- a/e2e/code_review_test.go
+++ b/e2e/code_review_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:CodeReview", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:CodeReview", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.DoesCodeReview(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.DoesCodeReview(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/contributors_test.go b/e2e/contributors_test.go
index 8dd81fb5..9f1ddbc3 100644
--- a/e2e/contributors_test.go
+++ b/e2e/contributors_test.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:CodeReview", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.Contributors(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.Contributors(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:CodeReview", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.Contributors(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.Contributors(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/e2e_suite_test.go b/e2e/e2e_suite_test.go
index 7bdcc4f4..657092f1 100644
--- a/e2e/e2e_suite_test.go
+++ b/e2e/e2e_suite_test.go
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ func (l *log) Logf(s string, f ...interface{}) {
 }
 
 func TestE2e(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
 	RegisterFailHandler(Fail)
 	RunSpecs(t, "E2e Suite")
 }
diff --git a/e2e/frozen_deps_test.go b/e2e/frozen_deps_test.go
index dcc04ec9..7d491227 100644
--- a/e2e/frozen_deps_test.go
+++ b/e2e/frozen_deps_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:FrozenDeps", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:FrozenDeps", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.FrozenDeps(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.FrozenDeps(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/fuzzing_test.go b/e2e/fuzzing_test.go
index 6aca7f90..e6097626 100644
--- a/e2e/fuzzing_test.go
+++ b/e2e/fuzzing_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Fuzzing", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Fuzzing", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.Fuzzing(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.Fuzzing(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/packaging_test.go b/e2e/packaging_test.go
index 05aa4975..3a338653 100644
--- a/e2e/packaging_test.go
+++ b/e2e/packaging_test.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Packaging", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.Packaging(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.Packaging(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Packaging", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.Packaging(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.Packaging(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/pull_requests_test.go b/e2e/pull_requests_test.go
index 2cba289a..467d899f 100644
--- a/e2e/pull_requests_test.go
+++ b/e2e/pull_requests_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:PullRequests", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:PullRequests", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.PullRequests(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.PullRequests(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/sast_test.go b/e2e/sast_test.go
index 4b1ab5e1..1080529a 100644
--- a/e2e/sast_test.go
+++ b/e2e/sast_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:SAST", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:SAST", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.SAST(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.SAST(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/security_policy_test.go b/e2e/security_policy_test.go
index fad1bd0b..a7ba848b 100644
--- a/e2e/security_policy_test.go
+++ b/e2e/security_policy_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:SecurityPolicy", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:SecurityPolicy", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.SecurityPolicy(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.SecurityPolicy(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/signedreleases_test.go b/e2e/signedreleases_test.go
index d22d1640..fa53bc30 100644
--- a/e2e/signedreleases_test.go
+++ b/e2e/signedreleases_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Signedreleases", func() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Signedreleases", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.SignedReleases(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.SignedReleases(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/e2e/signedtags_test.go b/e2e/signedtags_test.go
index ece9c60f..8a580ba8 100644
--- a/e2e/signedtags_test.go
+++ b/e2e/signedtags_test.go
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ import (
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
 
-	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checker"
+	"github.com/ossf/scorecard/checks"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Signedtags", func() {
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ var _ = Describe("E2E TEST:Signedtags", func() {
 				GraphClient: graphClient,
 				Logf:        l.Logf,
 			}
-			result := checks.SignedTags(checkRequest)
+			result := checks.SignedTags(&checkRequest)
 			Expect(result.Error).Should(BeNil())
 			Expect(result.Pass).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
diff --git a/pkg/scorecard.go b/pkg/scorecard.go
index ff904e09..4d2b0d1e 100644
--- a/pkg/scorecard.go
+++ b/pkg/scorecard.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func (r *RepoURL) Set(s string) error {
 
 	u, e := url.Parse(s)
 	if e != nil {
-		return e
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse repo url: %w", e)
 	}
 
 	const splitLen = 2
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func (r *RepoURL) Set(s string) error {
 		log.Fatalf("invalid repo flag: [%s], pass the full repository URL", s)
 	}
 
-	if len(strings.TrimSpace(split[0])) == 0 || len(strings.TrimSpace(split[1])) == 0 {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(split[0]) == "" || strings.TrimSpace(split[1]) == "" {
 		log.Fatalf("invalid repo flag: [%s], pass the full repository URL", s)
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/scorecard_test.go b/pkg/scorecard_test.go
index 2494c1ea..f62fa0d5 100644
--- a/pkg/scorecard_test.go
+++ b/pkg/scorecard_test.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestRepoURL_Set(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
 	type fields struct {
 		Host  string
 		Owner string
@@ -65,7 +66,9 @@ func TestRepoURL_Set(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
+		tt := tt // Re-initializing variable so it is not changed while executing the closure below
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Parallel()
 			r := &RepoURL{
 				Host:  tt.fields.Host,
 				Owner: tt.fields.Owner,