CLI Workflow

The Ruflet CLI is the center of the developer experience. It is responsible for project setup, client launch, build orchestration, device tooling, and local environment checks.

Available commands

ruflet --version
ruflet new <appname>
ruflet run [scriptname|path] [--web|--desktop] [--port PORT]
ruflet build <apk|android|ios|aab|web|macos|windows|linux> [--self] [--verbose]
ruflet install [--device DEVICE_ID] [--verbose]
ruflet update [web|desktop|all] [--check] [--force] [--platform PLATFORM]
ruflet debug [scriptname|path]
ruflet devices
ruflet emulators
ruflet doctor

ruflet new

Use this to scaffold a fresh project:

ruflet new my_app

What it writes:

• main.rb with a starter counter app
• Gemfile
• README.md
• ruflet.yaml

What ruflet.yaml controls:

• app metadata
• package name and organization
• backend URL for server-driven builds
• enabled client services/extensions
• splash and icon assets
• build theming values

ruflet run

This is the fastest way to develop a Ruflet app:

ruflet run main
ruflet run main --web
ruflet run main --desktop
ruflet run main --port 9000

Important behavior:

• Mobile is the default target.
• Ruflet resolves main and main.rb automatically.
• If a Gemfile is present, Ruflet checks bundle first and installs missing gems when needed.
• The CLI prints connection details for the selected target.
• Web launch spins up a local static host for the web client and opens the browser.
• Desktop launch waits for the backend, then opens a desktop client when available.

ruflet build

Use builds when you are ready to package the app:

ruflet build apk
ruflet build ios
ruflet build web
ruflet build macos
ruflet build windows
ruflet build linux

There are two build modes:

• Default mode is server-driven. It expects backend_url to be configured in ruflet.yaml.
• --self is self-contained. It uses the embedded runtime/client entrypoint.

ruflet build android --self
ruflet build ios --self

ruflet install

Install a previously built app to a device:

ruflet install
ruflet install --device emulator-5554

This command syncs exported build outputs back into the Flutter client workspace and asks Flutter to install the app.

ruflet update

Update cached prebuilt clients:

ruflet update all
ruflet update web --check
ruflet update desktop --platform macos

Use --check when you only want to inspect the local cache and release tag state.

ruflet debug

Run the underlying Flutter client directly when you need lower-level debugging:

ruflet debug web
ruflet debug ios
ruflet debug --device-id chrome

This is especially useful when you are working on client behavior instead of the Ruby app layer.

ruflet doctor, devices, and emulators

Use these commands to inspect your local toolchain:

• ruflet doctor checks Ruby, Flutter host target, and template availability.
• ruflet doctor --fix can fetch missing template/tooling dependencies.
• ruflet devices shows Flutter-visible devices.
• ruflet emulators lists available emulators and can launch one with --start.

Recommended loop

1. ruflet new my_app
2. cd my_app
3. bundle install
4. ruflet run main
5. Iterate on controls and page updates
6. ruflet build ... when you are ready to package