This is the most flexible configuration I'm aware of for doing Ruby on Rails development.  The goal is to have any version of `ruby` at your finger tips, so that any version of `rails` can be utilized.  This allows you to work on older projects as easily as newer ones.

The key to doing this is using `rvm` (Ruby Version Manager).  Another advantage to using `rvm` is that once everything is installed, you won't have to use `sudo` to install gems or do regular development.

I recommend MacPorts instead of Homebrew.

---

#### Step 1 - Install MacPorts

Install MacPorts from the package on the site:

https://www.macports.org/

Once MacPorts is installed, do a self update:

```bash
$ sudo port selfupdate
```

This will prompt you to install `xcodebuild`.

![](https://cl.ly/1L0R0C0v2J16/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-21%20at%202.51.47%20PM.png)

Once it's installed, make sure everything is up to date:

```bash
$ sudo port upgrade outdated
```

---

#### Step 2 - Install Ruby Version Manager

Before installing `rvm`, we need to install `gpg`.

```bash
$ sudo port install gnupg gnupg2
```

Next, install `rvm` from the steps on the site:

https://rvm.io/

---

#### Step 3 - Installing Ruby

Close your terminal window and relaunch the terminal to load the new path.  Now, we can install a more modern version of `ruby`.

```bash
$ rvm install ruby-2.2.5
```

---

#### Step 4 - Installing Rails

Now that we have a new `ruby` version, we can install `rails`.

```bash
$ gem install rails
```

Note, this version of `rails` will be associated with this version of `ruby`.  If you switch to another version of `ruby`, you'll have to install `rails` again.

---

#### Step 5 - Starting a Rails Project

```bash
$ rails new hello_world
$ cd hello_world
$ rails s
```

The server will start and we can take a look by opening the browser:

http://localhost:3000/

![](https://cl.ly/3q1u3O3M2I0X/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-21%20at%202.31.55%20PM.png)

To close the server, press `^C` in the terminal.

---

#### Step 6 - Anvil

If you're working on a bunch of projects, it's nice to be able to run them as needed without having to launch `rails s`.  This tool will make it easy:

https://anvilformac.com

After installation, click on the anvil icon at the top of the screen and let it install `pow`.

![](https://cl.ly/45180k0t051f/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-21%20at%202.36.25%20PM.png)

Once `pow` is installed, next we can add our `hello_world` app example.

![](https://cl.ly/1r0h191t0S2B/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-21%20at%202.39.06%20PM.png)

![](https://cl.ly/3z2o1A2T282E/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-21%20at%202.40.28%20PM.png)

Now, point your browser to the app:

http://hello_world.dev

---

#### Optional

One of the best text editors out there is Atom, it works great with Rails projects:

https://atom.io/

---

Also see: [How to Write a Ruby on Rails App for STEEM](https://steemit.com/radiator/@inertia/how-to-write-a-ruby-on-rails-app-for-steem)