Setting Up a Rails Project
Learn how to create and configure a new Rails application.
Setting Up a Rails Project is a free Ruby Academy lesson on CoddyKit. This is lesson 2 of 3. Any 3 lessons of this learning path are free to read in full — after that, CoddyKit PRO unlocks every lesson, plus hands-on practice with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Ruby Academy learning path, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app. The Ruby Academy course includes 3 lessons in total.
Setting Up a Rails Project
Before building a Rails application, you need to set up your development environment.
In this lesson, you will learn how to install Rails and create a new project.
Installing Ruby and Rails
Ensure you have Ruby installed, then install Rails using the following command:
gem install railsCreating a New Rails Project
Use the rails new command to create a new application.
rails new my_appUnderstanding the Rails Project Structure
A Rails project consists of several important folders:
- app/: Contains models, views, and controllers.
- config/: Stores configuration files.
- db/: Manages database migrations and schema.
Running the Rails Server
Start your Rails application using the built-in server:
cd my_app
rails serverUsing the Rails Console
The Rails console allows you to interact with your application from the command line.
rails consoleGenerating a Controller and View
Create your first controller and view with the following command:
rails generate controller Home indexSetting Up the Database
Run the following command to create the database for your Rails app:
rails db:createCongratulations!
You have learned how to set up a Rails project and run your first application.
Next, you will learn about Models, Views, and Controllers.
Learn Ruby with an AI tutor — free
Write and run real code in your browser, get instant help from a 24/7 AI tutor, and pick up where you left off on the web or in the app.
- Courses
- 29
- Lessons
- 109
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the “Setting Up a Rails Project” lesson free?
Yes — any 3 lessons of the Ruby Academy learning path, including “Setting Up a Rails Project”, are free to read in full here on the web. After that, CoddyKit PRO unlocks every lesson, plus interactive practice with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. The Ruby Academy course includes 3 lessons in total.
What will I learn in “Setting Up a Rails Project”?
Learn how to create and configure a new Rails application. You practise Ruby Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Ruby Academy?
No prior experience is required. Ruby Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace. This is lesson 2 of 3.
How long does the “Setting Up a Rails Project” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Ruby Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Ruby Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- What is Ruby on Rails?
- Setting Up a Rails Project
- Models, Views, and Controllers