Railstart Preset Builder

Purpose

This skill guides you through creating preset configuration files for the railstart gem. Presets enable quick Rails 8 application generation with predefined choices for database, CSS, JavaScript, test framework, and post-generation actions.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Creating new railstart presets for specific tech stacks
• Defining team or organization default configurations
• Building quick-start templates for common Rails patterns
• Customizing Rails app generation workflows
• Setting up opinionated Rails configurations

Preset System Overview

Three-Layer Configuration

Railstart uses a three-layer configuration merge system:

1. Base Config (config/rails8_defaults.yaml) - Defines all available questions and post-actions
2. User Config (~/.config/railstart/config.yaml) - User's personal overrides (optional)
3. Preset Config (config/presets/*.yaml) - Named preset that overrides defaults

Merge Order: Base → User → Preset (later layers win)

ID-Based Merging

Questions and post-actions merge by unique id field:

• Questions with matching IDs have their choices array replaced entirely
• Individual choice default flags override base configuration
• Post-actions with matching IDs have their enabled state overridden

multi_select Defaults

For multi_select questions (like skip_features), always use choice values (stable IDs), not display names:

# ✅ CORRECT - Uses stable value identifiers
- id: skip_features
  default:
    - action_mailer      # Stable internal ID
    - action_text        # Won't break if display text changes
    - hotwire

# ❌ WRONG - Uses display names (fragile)
- id: skip_features
  default:
    - Action Mailer                # Breaks if wording changes
    - Hotwire (Turbo + Stimulus)   # Fragile, avoid

Why values are better:

• Stability: Display text can change for UX improvements without breaking presets
• Consistency: Values are used throughout the system (CommandBuilder, answers storage)
• Correctness: Generator automatically transforms values → names for TTY::Prompt display

Available Questions

From config/rails8_defaults.yaml:

Database (select)

• ID: database
• Choices: sqlite3, postgresql, mysql
• Default: sqlite3
• Flag: --database=%{value}

CSS Framework (select)

• ID: css
• Choices: tailwind, bootstrap, bulma, postcss, sass, none
• Default: tailwind
• Flag: --css=%{value}

JavaScript Approach (select)

• ID: javascript
• Choices: importmap, bun, esbuild, rollup, webpack, vite, none
• Default: importmap
• Flags: Choice-level flags (e.g., --javascript=bun or --skip-javascript)

Test Framework (select)

• ID: test_framework
• Choices: minitest, rspec
• Default: minitest
• Flag: RSpec uses --skip-test

Skip Features (multi_select)

• ID: skip_features
• Values: action_mailer, action_mailbox, action_text, active_record, active_job, active_storage, action_cable, hotwire
• Default: [] (none skipped)
• Flags: Individual choice flags (e.g., --skip-action-mailer)
• Note: Use values in default array, not display names (see multi_select Defaults section above)

Boolean Options (yes_no)

• IDs: api_only, skip_git, skip_docker, skip_bundle
• Flags: Various (e.g., --api, --skip-git)

Available Post-Actions

init_git

• Default: Enabled if skip_git = false
• Command: git init && git add . && git commit -m 'Initial commit'
• Purpose: Initialize git repository

bundle_install

• Default: Disabled
• Condition: Only if skip_bundle = true
• Command: bundle install
• Purpose: Manual gem installation

setup_rspec

• Default: Enabled
• Condition: Only if test_framework = rspec
• Command: bundle add rspec-rails --group development,test && bundle exec rails generate rspec:install
• Purpose: Automatic RSpec setup

setup_vite

• Default: Enabled
• Condition: Only if javascript = vite
• Command: bundle add vite_rails && bundle install && bundle exec vite install
• Purpose: Automatic Vite Rails setup

setup_bundlebun

• Default: Disabled
• Condition: Only if javascript = bun
• Command: bundle add bundlebun && bundle install && bundle exec rake bun:install
• Purpose: Optional Bundlebun (Bun as a gem) setup

Preset Creation Workflow

Step 1: Define Requirements

Answer these questions:

• What stack does this preset target? (e.g., "API-only", "Modern SPA", "Traditional Rails")
• Which database? (PostgreSQL for production, SQLite for quick prototypes)
• Which CSS framework? (Tailwind for utility-first, none for APIs)
• Which JavaScript approach? (Vite for SPAs, importmap for traditional, none for APIs)
• Which test framework? (Minitest default, RSpec for BDD)
• Which features to skip? (Action Mailer, Hotwire, etc. for APIs)
• Which post-actions to enable? (Vite setup, Bundlebun, RSpec)

Step 2: Create Preset File

Location: config/presets/{preset-name}.yaml

Naming Convention:

• Lowercase with hyphens
• Descriptive of stack (e.g., vite-bun, api-only, default)
• Short and memorable

Basic Structure:

---
# Preset Name - Brief Description
# Explain what this preset configures and when to use it

questions:
  - id: database
    choices:
      - name: PostgreSQL
        value: postgresql
        default: true

  - id: css
    choices:
      - name: Tailwind
        value: tailwind
        default: true

  - id: javascript
    choices:
      - name: Importmap (default)
        value: importmap
        default: true

  - id: test_framework
    choices:
      - name: Minitest (default)
        value: minitest
        default: true

  - id: skip_features
    default: []

  - id: api_only
    default: false

  - id: skip_git
    default: false

  - id: skip_docker
    default: false

  - id: skip_bundle
    default: false

post_actions:
  - id: init_git
    name: "Initialize git repository"
    enabled: true
    command: "git init && git add . && git commit -m 'Initial commit'"

  - id: setup_rspec
    name: "Setup RSpec"
    enabled: false
    command: "bundle add rspec-rails --group development,test && bundle exec rails generate rspec:install"

  - id: setup_vite
    name: "Setup Vite Rails"
    enabled: false
    command: "bundle add vite_rails && bundle install && bundle exec vite install"

  - id: setup_bundlebun
    name: "Setup Bundlebun (Bun packaged as a gem)"
    enabled: false
    command: "bundle add bundlebun && bundle install && bundle exec rake bun:install"

Step 3: Override Defaults

Only include questions you want to override. Minimal example:

---
# API-Only Preset - Minimal Rails for JSON APIs

questions:
  - id: database
    choices:
      - name: PostgreSQL
        value: postgresql
        default: true

  - id: css
    choices:
      - name: None
        value: none
        default: true

  - id: skip_features
    default:
      - action_mailer
      - action_text
      - hotwire

  - id: api_only
    default: true

post_actions:
  - id: init_git
    name: "Initialize git repository"
    enabled: true
    command: "git init && git add . && git commit -m 'Initial commit'"

Step 4: Enable Post-Actions

Enable relevant post-actions based on your choices. IMPORTANT: Always include complete post-action definitions with name and command:

post_actions:
  - id: setup_vite
    name: "Setup Vite Rails"
    enabled: true
    command: "bundle add vite_rails && bundle install && bundle exec vite install"

  - id: setup_bundlebun
    name: "Setup Bundlebun (Bun packaged as a gem)"
    enabled: true
    command: "bundle add bundlebun && bundle install && bundle exec rake bun:install"

  - id: setup_rspec
    name: "Setup RSpec"
    enabled: true
    command: "bundle add rspec-rails --group development,test && bundle exec rails generate rspec:install"

Step 5: Test Preset

Manual Testing:

# Test preset loading
ruby -ryaml -e "puts YAML.load_file('config/presets/your-preset.yaml').inspect"

# Test with railstart (if installed locally)
bundle exec exe/railstart new testapp --preset your-preset --default

# Verify generated app
cd testapp
cat Gemfile  # Check for expected gems
ls -la       # Verify structure

Automated Testing:

# Run test suite
bundle exec rake test

# Run linter
bundle exec rubocop

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Modern SPA Stack (vite-bun.yaml)

---
# Vite + Bundlebun Preset - Modern frontend with Vite and Bun packaged as a gem

questions:
  - id: database
    choices:
      - name: PostgreSQL
        value: postgresql
        default: true

  - id: css
    choices:
      - name: Tailwind
        value: tailwind
        default: true

  - id: javascript
    choices:
      - name: Vite (via vite_rails gem)
        value: vite
        default: true

  - id: test_framework
    choices:
      - name: Minitest (default)
        value: minitest
        default: true

  - id: skip_features
    default: []

  - id: api_only
    default: false

  - id: skip_git
    default: false

  - id: skip_docker
    default: false

  - id: skip_bundle
    default: false

post_actions:
  - id: init_git
    name: "Initialize git repository"
    enabled: true
    command: "git init && git add . && git commit -m 'Initial commit'"

  - id: setup_vite
    name: "Setup Vite Rails"
    enabled: true
    command: "bundle add vite_rails && bundle install && bundle exec vite install"

  - id: setup_bundlebun
    name: "Setup Bundlebun (Bun packaged as a gem)"
    enabled: true
    command: "bundle add bundlebun && bundle install && bundle exec rake bun:install"

Use Case: Building modern SPAs with fast HMR (Vite) and unified JavaScript runtime (Bundlebun)

Usage:

railstart new myapp --preset vite-bun

Example 2: API-Only Stack (api-only.yaml)

---
# API-Only Preset - Minimal Rails app for JSON APIs

questions:
  - id: database
    choices:
      - name: PostgreSQL
        value: postgresql
        default: true

  - id: css
    choices:
      - name: None
        value: none
        default: true

  - id: javascript
    choices:
      - name: Importmap (default)
        value: importmap
        default: true

  - id: skip_features
    default:
      - action_mailer
      - action_text
      - hotwire

  - id: api_only
    default: true

  - id: skip_git
    default: false

  - id: skip_docker
    default: false

  - id: skip_bundle
    default: false

post_actions:
  - id: init_git
    name: "Initialize git repository"
    enabled: true
    command: "git init && git add . && git commit -m 'Initial commit'"

Use Case: Building JSON APIs without views or frontend assets

Usage:

railstart new api --preset api-only

Example 3: RSpec + PostgreSQL Stack

---
# RSpec Preset - BDD workflow with RSpec and PostgreSQL

questions:
  - id: database
    choices:
      - name: PostgreSQL
        value: postgresql
        default: true

  - id: test_framework
    choices:
      - name: RSpec
        value: rspec
        default: true

  - id: skip_git
    default: false

post_actions:
  - id: init_git
    name: "Initialize git repository"
    enabled: true
    command: "git init && git add . && git commit -m 'Initial commit'"

  - id: setup_rspec
    name: "Setup RSpec"
    enabled: true
    command: "bundle add rspec-rails --group development,test && bundle exec rails generate rspec:install"

Use Case: Teams preferring RSpec over Minitest for BDD-style testing

Usage:

railstart new myapp --preset rspec

Best Practices

Naming

✅ DO:

• Use descriptive hyphenated names (vite-bun, api-only)
• Keep names short and memorable
• Use stack technology names when relevant

❌ DON'T:

• Use underscores or spaces
• Use overly generic names (preset1, test)
• Use version numbers unless necessary

Documentation

✅ DO:

• Add clear comments explaining the preset's purpose
• Document when to use this preset
• Explain non-obvious choices

❌ DON'T:

• Leave presets undocumented
• Assume users know why choices were made

Scope

✅ DO:

• Override only what's necessary for the stack
• Leave unrelated options at defaults
• Enable relevant post-actions

❌ DON'T:

• Override every single option
• Enable unrelated post-actions
• Create overly complex presets

Testing

✅ DO:

• Test YAML syntax before committing
• Generate test apps with the preset
• Verify all post-actions execute correctly
• Check generated Gemfile and config files

❌ DON'T:

• Commit untested presets
• Assume merging works without verification
• Skip validation of post-action commands

Common Patterns

Pattern 1: PostgreSQL + Tailwind (Production Default)

Most production apps benefit from:

questions:
  - id: database
    choices:
      - name: PostgreSQL
        value: postgresql
        default: true

  - id: css
    choices:
      - name: Tailwind
        value: tailwind
        default: true

Pattern 2: Skip All Frontend (Pure API)

API-only apps should skip frontend tooling:

questions:
  - id: css
    choices:
      - name: None (skip CSS setup)
        value: none
        default: true

  - id: javascript
    choices:
      - name: None (skip JavaScript)
        value: none
        default: true

  - id: skip_features
    default:
      - action_mailer
      - action_text
      - hotwire

  - id: api_only
    default: true

Pattern 3: Modern Frontend Stack

SPAs and modern frontends typically use:

questions:
  - id: javascript
    choices:
      - name: Vite (via vite_rails gem)
        value: vite
        default: true

post_actions:
  - id: setup_vite
    enabled: true

Troubleshooting

Preset Not Loading

Symptom: Preset file ignored, defaults used

Solutions:

1. Verify file location: config/presets/{name}.yaml
2. Check YAML syntax: ruby -ryaml -e "YAML.load_file('config/presets/name.yaml')"
3. Ensure preset name matches filename (without .yaml)
4. Check for typos in --preset flag

Wrong Defaults Selected

Symptom: Different choice selected than expected

Solutions:

1. Verify default: true is on the correct choice
2. Check for multiple default: true in same question (last wins)
3. Ensure question id matches exactly
4. Test ID-based merging manually

Post-Action Not Running

Symptom: Expected post-action skipped

Solutions:

1. Check enabled: true in preset
2. Verify conditional logic (if field) matches selected answers
3. Ensure post-action id matches exactly
4. Check command syntax for errors

YAML Syntax Error

Symptom: Parse error or invalid YAML

Solutions:

1. Validate YAML: yq . config/presets/name.yaml
2. Check indentation (2 spaces, no tabs)
3. Ensure proper array syntax (- item)
4. Verify all strings are properly quoted if containing special chars

Quick Reference

Minimal Preset Template

---
# Preset Name - Description

questions:
  - id: database
    choices:
      - name: PostgreSQL
        value: postgresql
        default: true

post_actions:
  - id: init_git
    enabled: true

Usage Commands

# List available presets
ls config/presets/

# Use preset with interactive mode
railstart new myapp --preset name

# Use preset with default mode (no prompts)
railstart new myapp --preset name --default

# Validate YAML syntax
ruby -ryaml -e "puts YAML.load_file('config/presets/name.yaml').inspect"

Testing Checklist

• YAML syntax valid (no parse errors)
• All question IDs match base config
• Only one default: true per select question
• Post-action IDs match base config
• Post-action conditionals match question choices
• Test app generates successfully
• All post-actions execute correctly
• Gemfile contains expected gems
• Generated config files are correct

---

Status: Complete - Ready for use ✅ Version: 1.0.0 Last Updated: 2025-11-22