Rails Blueprint

A starter blueprint to help fast track setting up a new Rails application. Simply go through the list below choosing the features and options you'd like to enable in your project, expand that section then run the template to install that functionality. It's as easy as that!

Getting Started

To get started, choose one of the following options.

Clone Repo

Replace my_app with the name of your application.

git clone https://github.com/dalezak/rails-blueprint.git my_app

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Download Repo

Download and extract https://github.com/dalezak/rails-blueprint/archive/refs/heads/main.zip into folder with the name of your application.

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Follow Online

Instead of cloning or downloading the repo, you can also just follow these steps online.

Then move through the list below doing any of the sections your application needs. If you already have Rails setup, then skip the Setup Environment section, or if you don't want Soft Deletes just move past it.

Setup Environment

Setup your local environment with Ruby, Rails and Node.

Install Ruby

Visit Rails > Getting Started > Installing Ruby for instructions on installing the Ruby language.

ruby -v 

Install RVM

Visit RVM > Install for instructions on setting up RVM so you can easily switch between different version of Ruby.

rvm --default use 3.0.0 

Install Node

Visit Rails > Getting Started > Installing Node for instructions on setting up Node and Yarn.

npm -v

yarn -v

Install Rails

Visit Rails > Getting Started for instructions on installing Rails framework.

gem install rails -v 7.0.0

rails -v

Install Database

Install a local database.

Install Postgres

Visit Postgres > Download for instructions on installing Postgres database.

psql --version

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Install SQLite3

Visit Rails > Getting_started > Installing SQLite for instructions on installing SQlite database.

Create Project

Run rails new --help to view all command options.

Postgres + Bootstrap + Esbuild

Creates a new Rails project with Postgres database, Bootstrap css and ESbuild javascript.

rails new . -s --git --database=postgresql --css=bootstrap --javascript=esbuild

Add the following section to your package.json:

"scripts": {
  "build": "esbuild app/javascript/*.* --bundle --sourcemap --outdir=app/assets/builds",
  "build:css": "sass ./app/assets/stylesheets/application.bootstrap.scss ./app/assets/builds/application.css --no-source-map --load-path=node_modules" 
}

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Postgres + Tailwind + Esbuild

Creates a new Rails project with Postgres database, Tailwind css and ESbuild javascript.

rails new . -s --git --database=postgresql --css=tailwind --javascript=esbuild

Add the following section to your package.json:

"scripts": { 
  "build:css": "sass ./app/assets/stylesheets/application.bootstrap.scss ./app/assets/builds/application.css --no-source-map --load-path=node_modules" 
}

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Postgres + Bootstrap + Webpack

Creates a new Rails project with Postgres database, Bootstrap css and Webpack javascript.

rails new . -s --git --database=postgresql --css=bootstrap --javascript=webpack

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Postgres + Tailwind + Webpack

Creates a new Rails project with Postgres database, Tailwind css and Webpack javascript.

rails new . -s --git --database=postgresql --css=tailwind --javascript=webpack

-or-

Postgres + Bootstrap + Rollup

Creates a new Rails project with Postgres database, Bootstrap css and Rollup javascript.

rails new . -s --git --database=postgresql --css=bootstrap --javascript=rollup

-or-

Postgres + Tailwind + Rollup

Creates a new Rails project with Postgres database, Tailwind css and Rollup javascript.

rails new . -s --git --database=postgresql --css=tailwind --javascript=rollup

Migrate Database

After creating your Rails project, you'll need to run rails db:create to create the local database.

UUID Keys

Enable UUIDs

Use UUIDs as the default primary key for your models.

This template enables pgcrypto for UUIDs.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/V4Ys1d'

User Authentication

Setup authentication so that users can login to your application.

Setup Devise

Devise is flexible authentication solution for Rails with Warden.

This template adds user authentication to your app using the Devise gem.

  rails app:template LOCATION="https://railsbytes.com/script/X8Bsjx"

Installation Questions:

• What do you want to call your Devise model? User
• Do you want to any extra attributes to User? y
• What attributes? name # use space separated list of attributes

Post Installation Steps:

1. In config/environments/development.rb, add config.action_mailer.default_url_options = { host: 'localhost', port: 3000 }
2. Migrate Database:

rails db:migrate

Learning More:

• Configuring Models
• Configuring Views
• Controller Filters
• Configuring Routes
• GoRails Tutorial

User Authorization

Setup authorization so you can protect resources based on user roles.

Setup CanCanCan

CanCanCan is authorization Gem for Ruby on Rails.

This template add CanCanCan gem and generates default abilities file.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/V33sj3'

For more a advanced use of CanCanCan, read Lazy Load CanCanCan Abilities In Rails.

Learning More:

• Defining Abilities
• Checking Abilities
• Controller Helpers
• Developer Guide
• GoRails Tutorial

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Setup Pundit

Pundit provides a set of helpers which guide you in leveraging regular Ruby classes and object oriented design patterns to build a simple, robust and scalable authorization system.

This template installs the Pundit gem, and runs the generator.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/X6ks6o'

User Invitations

Options for allowing ability to invite users if you're using Devise.

Setup Devise Inviteable

devise_invitable is an invitation strategy for Devise.

This template installs the gem, and runs the generator.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/VZgsJ0'

Single Sign On

Allows users the ability to login to your application through other services like Google.

Setup Omniauth

Omniauth is a flexible authentication system utilizing Rack middleware.

This template adds Omniauth gem, adds OmniauthController, adds Identity model, runs migrations

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/xkjsK3'

Post Installation Steps:

1. Add or update routes in config/routes.rb to include omniauth_callbacks

devise_for :users, controllers: { omniauth_callbacks: "omniauth" }

Learning More:

• Getting Started
• GoRails Tutorial

Add Omniauth Google Provider

omniauth-google-oauth2 is oauth2 strategy for Google.

This template adds the gem, omniauth provider, runs migration on users.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/V4YsP6'

Add Omniauth Github Provider

omniauth-github is oauth2 strategy for Github.

This template adds the gem, omniauth provider, runs migration on users.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/Vwysyy'

Add Omniauth Twitter Provider

omniauth-twitter is oauth2 strategy for Twitter.

This template adds the gem, omniauth provider, runs migration on users.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/XE5sQy'

Add Omniauth Facebook Provider

omniauth-facebook is oauth2 strategy for Facebook.

This template adds the gem, omniauth provider, runs migration on users.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/zyvsjm'

Soft Deletes

Provide soft delete functionality so you have ability to un-delete records.

Setup Paranoia

Paranoia provides soft deletes functionality to ActiveRecord.

This template installs the Paranoia gem for soft deletes.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/Xg8s3J'

Learning More:

• Migrate Models
• Model Usage
• GoRails Tutorial

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Setup Discard

Discard, soft deletes for ActiveRecord done right.

This template installs the Discard gem for soft deletes.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/templates/z0gsEQ'

Learning More:

• Migrate Models
• Discard Record
• Undiscard Record
• Default Scopes

Request Throttling

Throttle excessive requests and ban bad actors

Add Rack-Attack

rack-attack is Rack middleware for blocking and throttling requests.

This template adds the gem and default initializer.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/xkjs9G'

Image Uploads

Add file upload functionality to a cloud storage services.

Setup ActiveStorage

ActiveStorage facilitates uploading files to a cloud storage service like Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Microsoft Azure.

This template adds ActiveStorage to your Rails app.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/zJosLx'

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Setup Shrine

Shrine is a modular file upload toolkit that allows direct uploads to Amazon S3, resumable uploads, image processing and more.

This template installs Shrine gem, config initializer, plus adds some handy uploaders you can use.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/xYasLK'

App Analytics

Setup Ahoy

Ahoy is simple, powerful, first-party analytics for Rails.

This template adds Ahoy gem, runs its initializer and then migrates the database.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/V1bs4X'

Accept Payments

Setup Pay

Pay add payments using Stripe or Braintree to your application.

This template adds gem and runs generators.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/zPdsZn'

Error Reporting

Setup Sentry

Sentry is error tracking to performance monitoring, developers can see what actually matters, solve quicker, and learn continuously about their applications - from the frontend to the backend.

This template adds gem, initializer and application controller code.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/zOvsol'

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Setup HoneyBadger

HoneyBadger lets you track and debug exceptions in record time.

This template adds gem, sets api key runs initializer.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/zNPsmV'

Bootstrap Styling

Bootstrap Navbar & Layout

Add Bootstrap 5 navbar and page layout, plus bunch of partials and helpers.

This template updates the layout with navbar.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/zmnsEn'

Bootstrap Devise Views

Add devise-bootstrap5 to get Bootstrap views for Devise.

This template adds devise-bootstrap5 gem.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/VeKsLE'

Bootstrap Forms

Add bootstrap_form so you can have Bootstrap forms.

This template adds bootstrap_form gem.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/VD7sLP'

Bootstrap Scaffold Templates

Add scaffold templates flavored for Bootstrap 5.

This template adds templates.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/XbBs3y'

Bootstrap Error Pages

Generate Bootstrap friendly error pages.

This template adds views.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/VB0sQj'

Project Configuration

Some handy project configurations to make your life simpler.

Open Browser After Launch

This snippet will automatically open your Rails app in the browser after launch.

This template adds snippet to config.ru.

rails app:template LOCATION="https://railsbytes.com/script/zl0s3A"

Database Migrate And Schema Dump On Heroku Deploy

Automatically migrate database and schema dump upon deploying to Heroku.

This template adds rake task.

rails app:template LOCATION="https://railsbytes.com/script/zr4spr"

Rake Task db:recreate

This rake task will drop, create, migrate and seed the database, plus clears uploads and storage.

This template adds db:recreate rake task.

rails app:template LOCATION="https://railsbytes.com/script/VQLsoK"

Setup Bullet

Bullet helps kill N+1 queries and unused eager loading.

This template adds gem and initializer.

rails app:template LOCATION="https://railsbytes.com/script/XLEsaW"

Setup Faker

Faker is a library for generating fake data such as names, addresses, and phone numbers.

This template adds the Faker gem.

rails app:template LOCATION="https://railsbytes.com/script/Xg8sWq"

Setup Figaro

Figaro is simple Heroku-friendly configuration using ENV and a single YAML file.

This template adds Figaro for simple configuration using ENV and a single YAML file.

rails app:template LOCATION="https://railsbytes.com/script/VRZs9V"

Setup Rubocop

Rubocop is an extension focused on enforcing Rails best practices and coding conventions.

This template adds rubocop to your Rails app.

rails app:template LOCATION="https://railsbytes.com/script/XE5sl5"

Annotate Models

Annotate provides classes with schema and routes info.

This template installs gem, and runs annotations.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/Vqqsqg'

Setup Better Errors

Foreman is better error page for Rack apps.

This template adds Better Errors and Binding of Caller gems.

rails app:template LOCATION="https://railsbytes.com/script/V33s0D"

Improved Seeds Folder Structure

Organize your seeds files into environment folders and execute them in alphanumeric order.

This template sets up environment specific seeds folders.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/xGqsmL'

Access Rails Credentials Using ENV

This strategy adds a config initializer which lets you access your Rails.application.credentials using ENV.

This template adds a config initializer.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/Vp7s90'

Clear Development Logs

Automatically clear development logs when they get over 2mb.

This template adds an initializer to clear development logs.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/VZgs77'

GitHub Issue Templates

Creates bug reports, feature requests and code maintenance issue templates in GitHub.

This template adds some handy GitHub issue templates.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/XvEs4K'

GitHub Pull Request Template

Creates a pull request template for GitHub.

This template add a GitHub pull request template.

rails app:template LOCATION='https://railsbytes.com/script/VdrsPl'

Git Aliases

Some handy git aliases I like to use to save time.

Git Add Commit Push

This alias does a git add, commit and push all on one line.

git config --global alias.add-commit-push '!git add -A && git commit -m "$1" && git push && git status'

You can use the add-commit-push alias like this.

git add-commit-push "Add, commit, push in one line!"

Git New Branch

This alias adds, commits and pushes current changes to a new branch.

git config --global alias.new-branch '!git checkout -b "$1" && git add -A && git commit -m "$2" && git push -u origin "$1" && git status'

You can use the new-branch alias like this.

git new-branch "123-my-branch" "Checkout, add, commit, push!"

Git New Tag

This alias creates a new tag and pushes it using the timestamp for naming.

git config --global alias.new-tag '!git tag -a -m `date +'%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M'` `date +'%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M'` && git push origin `date +'%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M'` && git status'

You can use the new-tag alias like this.

git new-tag

VS Code Extensions

Some handy extensions for Visual Studio Code.

Rails

Ruby on Rails support for Visual Studio Code

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=bung87.rails

Ruby

This extension provides enhanced Ruby language and debugging support for Visual Studio Code

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=rebornix.Ruby

Ruby Language Colorization

Ruby Language Colorization for Visual Studio Code

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=groksrc.ruby

Ruby on Rails

This extension for Visual Studio Code adds snippets for Ruby on rails.

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=hridoy.rails-snippets

Ruby Solargraph

Solargraph is a language server that provides intellisense, code completion, and inline documentation for Ruby.

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=castwide.solargraph

Simple Ruby ERB

This extensions tries to provide simple Ruby and ERB support to Visual Studio Code without messing with linting or debugging.

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=vortizhe.simple-ruby-erb

VSCode Ruby

This extension provides improved syntax highlighting, language configuration, and snippets to Ruby and ERB files within Visual Studio Code.

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=wingrunr21.vscode-ruby

Ruby Rubocop

This extension provides interfaces to rubocop for vscode.

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=misogi.ruby-rubocop

Rails Templates

Visit railsbytes.com for other handy templates to help setup your project.

Rails Tutorials

If you are looking for Rails tutorials, I'd highly recommend you checkout gorails.com and driftingruby.com, both great resources for learning Rails.