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Germán Alberto Gimenez Silva
Germán Alberto Gimenez Silva

Posted on • Originally published at rubystacknews.com on

Streamline Your Ruby on Rails Development with Docker

#programming #devops #docker #coding

March 12, 2025

Are you looking for a quick and efficient way to set up a complete Ruby on Rails development environment? With Docker, you can have a fully functional Rails stack—including PostgreSQL and all necessary configurations—up and running in just a few commands!

For those interested in exploring how to Dockerize a Ruby on Rails application, I’ve shared the code in this GitHub repository:

View Repository

Why Use Docker for Rails Development?

Setting up a Rails environment can sometimes be cumbersome, with dependency issues and system conflicts slowing you down. Docker simplifies this process by creating a containerized environment where everything is pre-configured and isolated. That means:

  • No more dependency conflicts.
  • Easy onboarding for new developers.
  • Consistent development and production environments.

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Get Started in Just a Few Commands

With this setup, you can have Rails, PostgreSQL, and all necessary connections running effortlessly:

git clone git clone git@github.com:ggerman/ruby_on_rails_dockerized.git
cd repository-name
./bin/start.sh up
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This script will:

  • Build the necessary Docker containers.
  • Set up PostgreSQL and MailCatcher.
  • Install dependencies (bundle install, yarn install).
  • Set up the database (db:create, db:migrate).

Once this is complete, you’re ready to start coding!

Features of This Setup

  • Pre-configured PostgreSQL Database : No need to install and configure manually.
  • MailCatcher for Email Testing : Easily capture and preview emails sent from your app.
  • Seamless Development Experience : Access the Rails console, database, and test suite within the container.

Running Tests

To ensure everything is working correctly, run your test suite with a single command:

./bin/test.sh
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For individual tests:

./bin/test.sh spec/model/post_spec.rb:22
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Keeping Your Environment Updated

If you make changes to your Docker setup, simply rebuild the environment:

./bin/start.sh build
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Contribute and Improve

This project welcomes contributions! If you’d like to improve or extend this environment:

  1. Fork the repository.
  2. Create a new branch: git checkout -b feature/your-feature
  3. Commit your changes: git commit -am ‘Add some feature’
  4. Push to the branch: git push origin feature/your-feature
  5. Open a pull request.

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Final Thoughts

Using Docker for Rails development removes a lot of the common headaches, allowing you to focus on what really matters—building great applications. Give it a try, and let me know your thoughts!

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