Ruby Information

Retrieve local Ruby documentation for classes, modules, and methods using ri.

1|Updated Oct 26, 2025

Search Tags:#documentation #methods #ruby #classes #lookup #ri

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/elct9620/claude-ruby-plugin --skill ruby-information

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Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Ruby Information
Source: https://github.com/elct9620/claude-ruby-plugin/tree/main/skills/ri
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/elct9620/claude-ruby-plugin --skill ruby-information

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

The Ruby Information Skill lets you access the locally installed Ruby documentation using the ri command, avoiding the need to search source code or run more heavyweight introspection. It helps developers quickly understand classes, modules, and methods with minimal setup.

Core Features & Use Cases

Direct Lookup: Look up Ruby classes, modules, and methods quickly with ri.
Filtered & Quick Preview: Use head, wc, and grep to preview or filter results.
Explore & Reference: List available docs for a namespace or gem and read detailed references.

Quick Start

Use ri to query Ruby docs using installed ri tool:

Use ri [options] <what> to look up information for Ruby constructs.
Combine with head to preview results, with wc to count items, and with grep to filter.
For example: ri Array#push, ri '.find' | head -n 5, or ri --list 'Enumerable'

Frequently Asked Questions about Ruby Information

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I look up Ruby documentation locally without searching online?▼

Use the ri command to query Ruby docs installed locally. ri retrieves documentation for classes, modules, and methods directly from your system's Ruby installation, avoiding the need to search source code or browse external websites.

Can I search for specific Ruby methods or classes using ri?▼

Yes. ri supports direct lookups like ri Array#push for instance methods, ri '.find' to search methods across classes, and ri --list to browse available namespaces and gems. Combine with grep to filter results.

How do I preview Ruby documentation results before viewing the full output?▼

Pipe ri queries to head to limit output lines, use wc to count items, or combine with grep to filter specific content. For example: ri Array | head -n 5 shows the first five lines of Array documentation.

What do I need to do before I can use ri to access Ruby docs?▼

Ensure Ruby is installed locally with documentation generated. ri accesses local rdoc-generated content and README files bundled with Ruby and installed gems, so your system must have these docs available.

Does ri handle special characters or spaces in Ruby class and method names?▼

Yes, but special characters must be properly quoted to avoid shell interpretation. ri accepts namespaced lookups like ri 'Module::Class#method' and searches like ri '.find' when quotes protect special syntax.

When should I use ri instead of inspecting Ruby objects directly?▼

Use ri for quick reference lookups without running code, exploring unfamiliar namespaces, or reviewing method signatures and documentation before implementation. It's lightweight and works offline without needing an interactive Ruby session.