How To Install RubyMine on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Ruby development on Ubuntu has never been more streamlined than with JetBrains RubyMine IDE. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS provides the perfect foundation for Ruby and Rails development, offering long-term stability and comprehensive package support that developers need for professional projects.

RubyMine stands as JetBrains’ flagship Ruby development environment, delivering intelligent code completion, advanced debugging capabilities, and seamless version control integration. Whether you’re building web applications with Ruby on Rails or developing standalone Ruby scripts, this powerful IDE transforms your development workflow with features like smart refactoring, integrated testing frameworks, and database connectivity tools.

This comprehensive guide covers multiple installation methods for RubyMine on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. You’ll discover both Snap package installation and manual tarball installation approaches, complete with detailed configuration steps and troubleshooting solutions. Each method offers distinct advantages depending on your development environment requirements and organizational policies.

The installation process requires careful attention to system prerequisites and Ruby interpreter setup. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS users benefit from enhanced hardware support and improved performance optimizations that make RubyMine installation smoother than previous Ubuntu versions.

Prerequisites and System Requirements

Hardware Requirements

RubyMine demands adequate system resources for optimal performance. Minimum system requirements include 2 GB RAM, though 8 GB provides significantly better performance for larger projects. The IDE requires 3.5 GB disk space for installation, with 5 GB recommended when using SSD storage for faster file operations.

Display resolution should meet 1024×768 minimum standards, but 1920×1080 delivers the best development experience with multiple panels and tool windows. Modern multi-core processors enhance code analysis and indexing performance substantially.

Software Prerequisites

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installation verification ensures compatibility with RubyMine’s latest features. Users need terminal access with sudo privileges for package installation and system configuration. A stable internet connection facilitates download and initial setup processes.

System updates should be current before beginning installation. Run these commands to prepare your Ubuntu system:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt autoremove

Ruby Installation Requirement

RubyMine requires a working Ruby installation before IDE setup. The Ruby interpreter serves as the foundation for project creation, code execution, and debugging functionality within the IDE environment.

Check existing Ruby installation status with this command:

ruby --version

Version compatibility considerations matter significantly. RubyMine supports Ruby versions from 2.6 onwards, with full Rails framework integration available for current releases.

Installing Ruby on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Using APT Package Manager

APT provides the most straightforward Ruby installation method on Ubuntu systems. Full Ruby package installation includes the interpreter, development headers, and essential gems needed for most development tasks.

Execute these commands in sequence:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ruby-full
sudo apt install build-essential zlib1g-dev

The ruby-full package includes Ruby interpreter, IRB (Interactive Ruby), RDoc documentation, and the RubyGems package manager. Development headers enable native gem compilation when needed.

Verification steps confirm successful installation:

ruby --version
gem --version
irb --version

Alternative: Using Snap for Ruby

Snap packages offer isolated Ruby environments with automatic updates. This approach benefits developers working across multiple Ubuntu versions or requiring specific Ruby releases.

Install Ruby via Snap:

sudo snap install ruby --classic

The --classic flag grants necessary system access for Ruby development tasks. Snap installations provide cleaner uninstallation processes and simplified version management.

Verifying Ruby Installation

Test Ruby interpreter functionality with a simple script execution:

ruby -e "puts 'Ruby installation successful'"

Gem package manager verification ensures dependency management capabilities:

gem list
gem environment

Common installation issues include missing development packages or PATH configuration problems. Resolve these by installing build essentials and verifying environment variables.

Method 1: Installing RubyMine via Snap Package

Introduction to Snap Package Management

Snap packages revolutionize software distribution on Ubuntu systems. Automated updates eliminate manual maintenance tasks while providing isolated application environments that prevent system conflicts.

RubyMine Snap installation offers several advantages: simplified dependency management, consistent behavior across Ubuntu versions, and streamlined removal processes. Snap packages include all necessary libraries and frameworks within self-contained bundles.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS includes Snap support by default, though some minimal installations might require snapd package installation.

Installing Snapd

Verify Snap availability on your system:

snap version

If Snap isn’t installed, add it using APT:

sudo apt install snapd
sudo systemctl enable snapd
sudo systemctl start snapd

System restart may be required for PATH updates to take effect. This ensures Snap applications integrate properly with desktop environments and command-line interfaces.

RubyMine Snap Installation Process

Install RubyMine using the official Snap package:

sudo snap install rubymine --classic

The installation process downloads approximately 400 MB of data depending on current version size. Progress monitoring shows download status and installation phases automatically.

Classic confinement grants RubyMine full system access required for IDE functionality. This includes file system access, network connectivity, and external tool integration capabilities.

Installation typically completes within 5-10 minutes on modern systems with broadband connections. Snap automatically creates desktop entries and application menu integration during installation.

Alternative Snap Channels

Snap channels provide different RubyMine release tracks. Stable channel delivers thoroughly tested releases suitable for production development work.

Edge channel offers Early Access Program builds with cutting-edge features:

sudo snap install rubymine --classic --edge

Switch between channels when needed:

sudo snap refresh rubymine --channel=stable
sudo snap refresh rubymine --channel=edge

Launching RubyMine After Snap Installation

Command-line launch provides immediate access:

rubymine

Desktop integration appears automatically in application menus under “Development” or “Programming” categories. Application dash search finds RubyMine by typing “ruby” or “mine” keywords.

Create custom desktop shortcuts by copying the snap-generated .desktop file to your personal applications directory if needed.

Method 2: Manual Installation from Tarball

When to Choose Manual Installation

Manual installation suits environments with specific directory requirements or corporate policies restricting Snap usage. Greater control over file locations and configuration enables custom deployment scenarios.

System administrators often prefer manual installation for shared development servers or environments requiring specific directory structures. This method also supports air-gapped systems without internet access during installation.

Downloading RubyMine Tarball

Navigate to the official JetBrains download page and locate the Linux tar.gz archive. Version selection should match your licensing requirements and stability preferences.

Download verification ensures file integrity:

wget https://download-cdn.jetbrains.com/ruby/RubyMine-2025.1.3.tar.gz
sha256sum RubyMine-2025.1.3.tar.gz

Compare the checksum with values published on the JetBrains website for security verification.

Installation Process

Extract the tarball to the standard Linux application directory:

sudo tar xzf RubyMine-*.tar.gz -C /opt/
sudo chown -R root:root /opt/RubyMine-*
sudo chmod +x /opt/RubyMine-*/bin/rubymine.sh

Permission settings ensure proper execution rights while maintaining system security. Root ownership prevents unauthorized modifications to IDE files.

Create a symbolic link for system-wide access:

sudo ln -s /opt/RubyMine-*/bin/rubymine.sh /usr/local/bin/rubymine

Creating Desktop Entry

Manual desktop entry creation integrates RubyMine with Ubuntu’s application ecosystem:

cat > ~/.local/share/applications/rubymine.desktop << EOF
[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=RubyMine
Icon=/opt/RubyMine-*/bin/rubymine.png
Exec=/opt/RubyMine-*/bin/rubymine.sh %f
Comment=Ruby and Rails IDE
Categories=Development;IDE;
Terminal=false
StartupWMClass=jetbrains-rubymine
EOF

Application integration enables launching from dash, favorites, and file associations. Update desktop database after creating the entry:

update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications

Setting Up Command-Line Launcher

Command-line accessibility enhances developer workflow efficiency. Create a shell script for terminal access:

sudo tee /usr/local/bin/rubymine << 'EOF'
#!/bin/bash
/opt/RubyMine-*/bin/rubymine.sh "$@"
EOF
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/rubymine

Test launcher functionality:

rubymine --help

Initial Setup and Configuration

First-Time Launch Process

RubyMine’s welcome screen guides initial configuration decisions. License activation requires either JetBrains account credentials or valid license key entry for commercial users.

Trial activation provides 30-day evaluation access to all IDE features. Educational licenses offer free access for students and teachers with valid academic credentials.

Import settings from previous installations or start with default configurations. The setup wizard streamlines essential preference selections.

IDE Configuration Options

Theme selection impacts visual comfort during extended development sessions. Dark themes reduce eye strain in low-light environments while light themes provide traditional editing experiences.

Keymap preferences accommodate different development backgrounds:

• Default (IntelliJ IDEA)
• Eclipse
• Emacs
• Vim

Font configuration affects code readability. Popular developer fonts include Fira Code, JetBrains Mono, and Source Code Pro with ligature support for enhanced symbol recognition.

Plugin Management

Essential plugins enhance Ruby development capabilities:

• Rails for Ruby on Rails framework support
• Git integration for version control
• Database tools for SQL development
• Docker for containerized development

Plugin installation via IDE settings menu:

1. Navigate to File → Settings → Plugins
2. Browse marketplace or install from disk
3. Restart IDE when prompted

Project Import and Creation

New project creation supports various Ruby project types:

• Plain Ruby applications
• Ruby on Rails web applications
• Sinatra frameworks
• Gem development projects

Import existing codebases by selecting project root directories. RubyMine automatically detects Ruby versions, gem dependencies, and framework configurations.

Git repository integration enables immediate version control setup during project creation or import processes.

Ruby Interpreter Configuration

Configure Ruby SDK paths through project settings:

1. Open File → Settings → Languages & Frameworks → Ruby SDK and Gems
2. Add Ruby interpreter from system installation
3. Verify gem management capabilities

Bundler integration automatically manages project dependencies through Gemfile specifications. RubyMine updates gem installations and resolves dependency conflicts intelligently.

Advanced Configuration and Optimization

Performance Tuning

Memory allocation adjustments optimize RubyMine performance for large projects. IDE memory settings modification requires editing custom VM options:

nano ~/.local/share/JetBrains/RubyMine*/rubymine64.vmoptions

Recommended memory settings for 8GB systems:

-Xms512m
-Xmx4096m
-XX:ReservedCodeCacheSize=512m

CPU core utilization enhancement enables parallel indexing and analysis operations. SSD-specific configurations reduce file access latency significantly.

Development Environment Setup

Database connection configuration supports major database systems including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. Connection testing verifies credentials and network accessibility before development begins.

Web server integration enables direct application launching from IDE interfaces. Rails server configurations support various deployment scenarios and debugging requirements.

Testing framework setup accommodates RSpec, MiniTest, and Cucumber testing environments with integrated test runners and coverage reporting.

Version Control Integration

Git configuration requires user credentials and authentication setup:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

GitHub and GitLab integration enables repository management directly from IDE interfaces. SSH key generation and management streamline authentication processes.

Commit workflows benefit from built-in diff viewers, merge conflict resolution tools, and branch management capabilities.

Debugging Configuration

Breakpoint management supports conditional breaks, logging points, and exception breakpoints. Variable inspection provides real-time value monitoring during debugging sessions.

Remote debugging capabilities enable development against staging or production-like environments. Network debugging configurations support various deployment architectures.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Installation Problems

Snap installation failures often result from insufficient disk space or network connectivity issues. Clear snap cache and retry installation:

sudo snap list --all
sudo snap remove rubymine
sudo snap install rubymine --classic

Permission errors during manual installation require careful ownership and execution permission verification. Dependency conflicts resolve through package manager cleanup operations.

Launch Issues

Java runtime problems rarely occur with modern RubyMine versions including bundled Java Runtime (JBR). Desktop integration failures often result from incomplete installation processes or missing desktop files.

Command-line launcher problems typically involve PATH configuration issues or execution permission problems. Verify symbolic link integrity and script permissions.

Performance Issues

Memory consumption optimization requires monitoring IDE resource usage and adjusting VM options accordingly. Slow startup troubleshooting includes indexing optimization and plugin conflict identification.

Large project indexing benefits from SSD storage and increased memory allocation. Exclude unnecessary directories from project indexing to improve performance.

Ruby Integration Problems

SDK detection failures require manual Ruby interpreter configuration through IDE settings. Gem installation issues often relate to system permissions or network proxy configurations.

Rails project configuration errors typically involve missing database configurations or incorrect Ruby version specifications in project files.

System Compatibility

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS provides excellent RubyMine compatibility with default configurations. Wayland display server compatibility improves significantly in recent IDE versions compared to legacy X11 requirements.

Graphics driver compatibility issues primarily affect systems with proprietary GPU drivers. Intel and AMD integrated graphics typically work without additional configuration.

Best Practices and Tips

Maintenance and Updates

Snap automatic update management ensures current RubyMine versions with minimal user intervention. Manual update procedures for tarball installations require downloading and extracting new versions.

Configuration backup importance cannot be overstated. Export IDE settings regularly:

1. File → Manage IDE Settings → Export Settings
2. Store exported archives in version control or cloud storage

Security Considerations

Snap confinement implications affect file system access and network connectivity. Classic confinement grants necessary permissions for IDE functionality while maintaining reasonable security boundaries.

File system access permissions should align with project requirements and organizational security policies. Network security settings enable proxy configuration and firewall compatibility.

Productivity Enhancement

Keyboard shortcuts mastery accelerates development workflows significantly. Live templates provide code snippet insertion with parameter customization capabilities.

Code templates automate repetitive coding patterns common in Ruby and Rails development. Custom template creation saves substantial development time for project-specific patterns.

Community Resources

Official JetBrains documentation provides comprehensive feature explanations and troubleshooting guidance. Ubuntu community forums offer platform-specific solutions and configuration advice.

Ruby development communities including Reddit r/ruby and Ruby Discord servers provide peer support and best practice sharing opportunities.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed RubyMine. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the RubyMine on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official RubyMine website.