Frequently Asked Questions

General

Why Rails UI?

You can get AI to draw a screen. The hard part is keeping a Rails product consistent after the tenth screen. Rails UI gives you app kits, components, auth views, email templates, and a form builder that share one design system.

Use Rails UI as the product layer around your own models, controllers, jobs, and policies.

Will this work with my existing Rails app?

Yes. Rails UI works with Rails 7 and newer. It uses tailwindcss-rails for CSS and supports importmap or JavaScript bundler setups.

Is this another Rails application kit?

Rails UI is the interface layer for your app. It gives you the screens, components, and local configuration tools. You bring the database, domain logic, jobs, and integrations.

I use Tailwind UI, shadcn, or Flowbite. Why would I use Rails UI?

Those libraries are useful, but you still translate generic HTML or React into Rails views, helpers, Stimulus behavior, Devise screens, and mailers.

Rails UI starts in Rails: ERB, Ruby helpers, Stimulus, Hotwire-friendly patterns, and a gem installer that copies the files into the places Rails developers expect.

Why is it a subscription?

Rails UI changes with Rails, Tailwind, Hotwire, and the app kits. The subscription funds new kits, new components, and private repository updates for active subscribers.

Can I share Rails UI with my team?

Use the Team license when more than one person needs access. It covers up to 30 seats. The account owner chooses which private repositories the team uses, and team members see that same set.

See the license agreement for resale, redistribution, and team-use limits.

How do I install it?

For the open gem, run bundle add railsui, then rails railsui:install. For Full Access, connect GitHub, accept the read-only GitHub invite, add the private Gemfile line, configure Bundler with a GitHub token, and run the installer.

The Installation and Subscription pages cover both paths.

Which CSS framework does Rails UI use?

Rails UI uses Tailwind CSS through tailwindcss-rails. The installer handles Tailwind for new apps and gives older cssbundling-rails apps a migration path.

What icons are included?

Rails UI ships with railsui_icon, which wraps the icon set used across the app kits. You can use that gem in Rails UI screens or in your own Rails views.

Can I use custom fonts?

Yes. Each app kit ships with its own font choices, and you can change them after install. The generated files live in your app.

What Ruby on Rails version do you support?

Rails UI tracks current Rails releases and supports Rails 8.1.1. Check the changelog before upgrading older apps.

App kits

What comes in a kit?

An app kit is a product surface for a specific kind of Rails app. A kit includes layouts, pages, components, auth views, email templates, images, and design tokens that belong together.

You wire the screens to your own application logic.

I need components, not a full kit. Is that fine?

Yes. Use the components on their own, or install the pages you need. Every generated screen is opt-in.

Can I change between kits?

Yes. Rails UI replaces generated kit files in app/views/rui and app/assets/images/railsui when you switch kits or run an update. Copy any generated page you want to keep into your own app views before changing kits.

Can I customize a kit?

Yes. Generated pages, partials, images, styles, and JavaScript live in your app. Keep kit-generated files as a source copy, then move custom versions into your own app folders when you want them to survive kit updates.

Can I submit my own kits?

Rails UI does not accept public kit submissions today. If you need a specific vertical or workflow, send it over.

Can you design something custom for my app?

Contact us for a custom product design, development, or strategy quote. We take a small number of custom projects.

Components

What about ViewComponent or my favorite component framework?

Rails UI ships ERB and HTML first. You can move those pieces into ViewComponent, Phlex, presenters, or your own component layer after install.

Does every kit include the same components?

No. Kits share common primitives, but each kit also includes components shaped by its product type. A finance app, client portal, and AI chat app need different screens.

Licensing

Do I need a license for each app I make?

No. A valid Solo or Team license lets you use Rails UI in unlimited apps, including client apps, within the license agreement.

Solo is for one person. Team covers up to 30 colleagues. Account sharing is outside the license.

Can I use Rails UI for client projects?

Yes. Use Rails UI in client apps. Do not repackage Rails UI itself as a competing theme, component, starter-kit, or template product.

Can I use Rails UI for my own commercial projects?

Yes. Build and sell your own commercial apps with Rails UI inside them.

Can I use Rails UI in an open source project?

In most cases, yes. Your project should be a real app or website, not a thin wrapper that republishes Rails UI components, kits, or generated files.

Can I create my own kits based on Rails UI and sell them?

No. Selling Rails UI-derived kits, component packs, or template products competes with Rails UI. Read the license before building anything close to that line.

Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan?

Yes. Email us and we will change the plan.

What comes with each plan?

Solo license

• One seat
• Every app kit and component
• Auth views, email templates, and form builder
• Rails UI Charts Pro
• Read-only GitHub access to private subscriber repositories
• Updates while subscribed

Team license

• Up to 30 seats
• Everything in Solo
• Shared repository access chosen by the account owner
• Client projects covered under one studio or agency account

Support

Do you offer support?

We help with account access, billing, licensing, installation problems, and product bugs. For custom product design or build work, contact us for availability.

What is your refund policy?

Rails UI is a digital product with private repository access, so we do not offer refunds after purchase. Try the open gem first, or ask a pre-purchase question if you are unsure.