Modernize Ruby on Rails

Rails major versions bundle real breaking changes — the Zeitwerk autoloader, asset-pipeline swaps, and the Solid infrastructure adapters. Because upgrades touch the database and deploy stack, they are high-stakes. This hub links every supported upgrade path plus the workflows for the failures those upgrades surface.

What this covers

Start at the Rails 8 upgrade hub for the full breaking-change picture, then pick the source-to-target page that matches the version you run today. Each page includes a repo-inspection prompt, a step-by-step workflow built around bin/rails app:update and config.load_defaults, a test plan, and rollback guidance.

Version timeline

• 8.1.x — current, active (released 2025-10-22)
• 7.x — security_only (released 2021-12-15)
• 6.x — eol (released 2019-08-16)

Rails migration paths

• Rails 6 to Rails 7 Migration Guide — Version path
• Rails 7 to Rails 8 Migration Guide — Version path
• Upgrade to Rails 8 — Upgrade hub
• Upgrade to Rails 8 — Version path
• Fix Rails Upgrade Test Failures — Workflow

Frequently asked questions

Which Rails version should I target?

Rails 8.1 (latest patch 8.1.3) is the current stable release; Rails 8.0 and 7.2 are now in security-only support and Rails 7.0/7.1 are end-of-life. Never skip a major: walk 6 → 7 → 8 one major at a time, advancing config.load_defaults at each stop, so each upgrade stays reviewable and reversible.