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Rails + Tailwind + Docker rules for AI coding agents

Full stack: Ruby on Rails + Tailwind CSS v4 + Docker

Ready-to-commit rules for Ruby on Rails + Tailwind CSS v4 + Docker in every major format: AGENTS.md (Codex, Cursor, Copilot), CLAUDE.md (Claude Code), Cursor .mdc project rules, legacy .cursorrules, Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules and GEMINI.md. Ruby on Rails 8 with Hotwire and Tailwind.

Last reviewed 2026-10-21 · Customise in the generator · Raw: AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md

The mistake agents make most on this stack

Agents reach for React when Turbo and Stimulus would do, and edit schema.rb directly.

Generated files

AGENTS.md
# AGENTS.md - this project

Instructions for AI coding agents working in this repository.

## Project

A Ruby on Rails + Tailwind CSS v4 + Docker project.

Stack: Ruby on Rails, Tailwind CSS v4, Docker.

## Commands

- Dev server: `bin/dev`
- Generate migration: `bin/rails generate migration <Name>`
- Migrate: `bin/rails db:migrate`
- Tests: `bin/rails test`
- Lint: `bin/rubocop`
- Local services: `docker compose up -d`

## How to work in this repo

- Read the relevant files before editing. Follow the patterns already in the codebase over these generic rules.
- Make the smallest change that solves the task. Do not refactor or reformat unrelated code.
- Before saying a task is done, run the type-check, lint and tests listed under Commands and fix what you broke.
- If requirements are ambiguous, ask one clear question instead of guessing.
- Never commit secrets, API keys or `.env` files. Use env vars and keep `.env.example` up to date.
- Do not add a new dependency when the standard library or an existing dependency already covers it.
- Ask before adding, removing or upgrading any dependency.
- Ask before changing database schemas, auth, payments or CI configuration.
- Never delete files, drop data or run destructive commands (`rm -rf`, `git push --force`, `DROP TABLE`) without explicit approval.
- Keep each change under ~200 changed lines where possible; split larger work into steps.

## Ruby on Rails

- Follow Rails conventions (naming, RESTful routes, `resources`) before inventing structure.
- Use strong parameters (`params.expect` in Rails 8, `params.require(...).permit(...)` before) in every controller that writes data.
- Put validations on the model; keep controllers thin.
- Avoid N+1 queries with `includes` / `preload`.
- Use Hotwire (Turbo + Stimulus) for interactivity before adding a JS framework.
- Generate schema changes with migrations; never edit `db/schema.rb` by hand.
- Background work goes in Active Job (Solid Queue by default in Rails 8).

## Tailwind CSS v4

- Tailwind v4 is configured in CSS: `@import "tailwindcss";` plus `@theme { ... }` for design tokens. Do not create a `tailwind.config.js` unless the project already has one.
- Use theme tokens (colors, spacing) instead of arbitrary values like `w-[37px]`.
- Build responsive layouts mobile-first with `sm:`, `md:`, `lg:` prefixes.
- Extract repeated class lists into components, not `@apply` chains.
- Support dark mode with the `dark:` variant when the project uses it.

## Docker

- Use multi-stage builds and slim, pinned base images.
- Run the app as a non-root user in the final image.
- Keep a `.dockerignore` that excludes `.git`, `node_modules`, `.env` and build output.
- Never bake secrets into images; pass them at runtime.

## Reference docs

- [Rails guides](https://guides.rubyonrails.org)
- [Tailwind CSS docs](https://tailwindcss.com/docs)
- [Dockerfile best practices](https://docs.docker.com/build/building/best-practices/)

Commands your agent should run

TaskCommand
Dev serverbin/dev
Generate migrationbin/rails generate migration <Name>
Migratebin/rails db:migrate
Testsbin/rails test
Lintbin/rubocop
Local servicesdocker compose up -d

What the rules cover

Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails app with Hotwire. Scoped to app/**/*.rb, app/**/*.erb, config/**/*.rb, db/**/*.rb in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Follow Rails conventions (naming, RESTful routes, resources) before inventing structure.
  • Use strong parameters (params.expect in Rails 8, params.require(...).permit(...) before) in every controller that writes data.
  • Put validations on the model; keep controllers thin.
  • Avoid N+1 queries with includes / preload.
  • Use Hotwire (Turbo + Stimulus) for interactivity before adding a JS framework.
  • Generate schema changes with migrations; never edit db/schema.rb by hand.
  • Background work goes in Active Job (Solid Queue by default in Rails 8).

Source docs: Rails guides

Tailwind CSS v4

Utility-first styling with Tailwind CSS v4. Scoped to **/*.css, **/*.tsx, **/*.vue, **/*.svelte, **/*.astro, **/*.html, **/*.blade.php, **/*.erb in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Tailwind v4 is configured in CSS: @import "tailwindcss"; plus @theme { ... } for design tokens. Do not create a tailwind.config.js unless the project already has one.
  • Use theme tokens (colors, spacing) instead of arbitrary values like w-[37px].
  • Build responsive layouts mobile-first with sm:, md:, lg: prefixes.
  • Extract repeated class lists into components, not @apply chains.
  • Support dark mode with the dark: variant when the project uses it.

Source docs: Tailwind CSS docs

Docker

Containerised builds and local services with Docker. Scoped to Dockerfile, **/Dockerfile, compose.yaml, docker-compose.yml, .dockerignore in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Use multi-stage builds and slim, pinned base images.
  • Run the app as a non-root user in the final image.
  • Keep a .dockerignore that excludes .git, node_modules, .env and build output.
  • Never bake secrets into images; pass them at runtime.

Source docs: Dockerfile best practices

How to install

  1. Copy AGENTS.md to your repo root. That covers Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot and most other agents.
  2. Using Claude Code? Add a CLAUDE.md with the single line @AGENTS.md, or use the standalone CLAUDE.md tab above.
  3. Want rules that only load for certain files in Cursor? Add the .cursor/rules/*.mdc files.
  4. Commit the files so your whole team (and every agent) shares them.

FAQ

Where do I put the AGENTS.md for Ruby on Rails + Tailwind CSS v4 + Docker?

Save it as AGENTS.md in the root of your repository, next to your main config file. Codex, Cursor and GitHub Copilot pick it up automatically. For Claude Code, add a CLAUDE.md containing @AGENTS.md (or use the standalone CLAUDE.md on this page).

What is the most common mistake AI agents make with Ruby on Rails?

Agents reach for React when Turbo and Stimulus would do, and edit schema.rb directly.

Which commands should the agent run to check its work?

For this stack: bin/dev, bin/rails generate migration <Name>, bin/rails db:migrate, bin/rails test. They are listed in the generated files so the agent runs them before finishing a task.

Do these Ruby on Rails + Tailwind CSS v4 + Docker rules work with Cursor and Claude Code?

Yes. This page includes the same rules as AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, Cursor .mdc project rules, a legacy .cursorrules file, GitHub Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules and GEMINI.md.

Can I customise these rules?

Yes. Open this stack in the generator to add or remove libraries, set your project name and package manager, switch beginner explanations on, and download everything as a zip.

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