Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about RubyWriter

Do I need my own API key?

Yes. RubyWriter runs on your own AI provider account, so you're never marked up on AI usage. Add an Anthropic or OpenRouter API key in Settings and you're ready to build. Your key is encrypted at rest and never shown again after you save it.

Note: a Claude.ai Pro/Max subscription is not an API key. Create one at console.anthropic.com.

Which providers and models are supported?

Anthropic directly, or Anthropic's Claude models through OpenRouter. You can choose Claude Sonnet (recommended), Claude Opus (most capable), or Claude Haiku (fastest and cheapest) in Settings.

How much will AI usage cost me?

You pay your provider directly at their published rates. Expect a few cents to a few dimes per prompt with Sonnet, depending on how much the AI changes (bigger features take more steps); Haiku costs less and Opus more. You can watch your spend in your provider's dashboard. See Anthropic pricing or OpenRouter pricing.

What happens if my key runs out of funds?

Your provider will reject the request and RubyWriter will show their error message in the chat. Top up your provider account (or update your key in Settings) and send your prompt again. Your projects keep running.

What plans are available?

Every plan includes a live preview, click-to-edit, code editor, ERD viewer, and GitHub push. Plans differ by project count and hosting:

  • Free — 1 project. Apps sleep after 5 minutes of inactivity.
  • Pro ($12/month) — 10 projects, custom domains, priority support, and apps stay awake for 60 minutes.
  • Agency ($39/month) — unlimited projects, custom domains, priority support, and apps that never sleep.

Compare plans on the pricing page

What kind of apps can I build?

RubyWriter generates Ruby on Rails 8 applications. You can build anything Rails supports — blogs, marketplaces, dashboards, CRM tools, project management apps, and more. The AI uses Rails generators, DaisyUI components, and Hotwire for interactive features.

It's great for building MVPs, prototypes, internal tools, and learning Rails. However, it's not designed for generating complex custom business logic or replacing a skilled Rails developer, but it can handle a wide range of common features and patterns out of the box. It is a great starting point for developers and agencies that want to a proof of concept out the door or quickly scaffold a new project, then customize and extend it as needed.

Can I use my own domain?

Yes, on the Pro and Agency plans. Add your domain from the Domains button in your project's workspace, create two DNS records, and click Verify. HTTPS is set up automatically. Read the step-by-step guide

Can I export my code?

Yes! All plans — including free — can push projects directly to a GitHub repository. The generated code is clean, idiomatic Rails — you own it completely and can deploy it anywhere (Heroku, Render, Fly.io, your own server).

How does the AI generate code?

When you describe a feature, the AI plans the implementation and executes it autonomously — running Rails generators, creating and modifying files, and running commands inside your project's Docker container. It iterates until the feature is complete, then commits the changes. You see the results live in the preview panel.

My app isn't loading. What should I do?

Idle apps go to sleep to save resources. When someone visits a sleeping app, it wakes up on its own: you'll see a "Starting up…" page for a few seconds, then your app.

If your app still isn't responding, open the project in RubyWriter and click Restart in the workspace header. That restarts the app's container from scratch.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you can cancel anytime from your account settings. Your account moves back to the Free plan. Your projects are kept, but you can't create new ones beyond the Free limit.