With package managers or third-party tools, you have plenty of options
to install and manage Ruby.
{: .summary}

You may already have Ruby installed on your computer. You can check
inside a [terminal emulator][terminal] by typing:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh">ruby <span class="nt">-v</span></code></pre></figure>

This should output some information on the installed Ruby version.

## Choose Your Installation Method

There are several ways to install Ruby:

* On a UNIX-like operating system, using your system's
  **package manager** is easiest.
  However, the packaged Ruby version may not be the newest one.
* **Installers** can be used to install a specific or multiple
  Ruby versions. There is also an installer for Windows.
* **Managers** help you to switch between multiple Ruby versions
  on your system.
* Finally, you can also **build Ruby from source**.

On Windows 10, you can also use the [Windows Subsystem for Linux][wsl]
to install one of the supported Linux distributions and use any of the
installation methods available on that system.

Here are available installation methods:

* [Package Management Systems](#package-management-systems)
  * [Debian, Ubuntu](#apt)
  * [CentOS, Fedora, RHEL](#yum)
  * [Snap](#snap)
  * [Gentoo](#portage)
  * [Arch Linux](#pacman)
  * [macOS](#homebrew)
  * [FreeBSD](#freebsd)
  * [OpenBSD](#openbsd)
  * [OpenIndiana](#openindiana)
  * [Windows Package Manager](#winget)
  * [Chocolatey package manager for Windows](#chocolatey)
  * [Other Distributions](#other-systems)
* [Installers](#installers)
  * [ruby-build](#ruby-build)
  * [ruby-install](#ruby-install)
  * [RubyInstaller](#rubyinstaller) (Windows)
  * [Ruby Stack](#rubystack)
* [Managers](#managers)
  * [asdf-vm](#asdf-vm)
  * [chruby](#chruby)
  * [mise-en-place](#mise-en-place)
  * [rbenv](#rbenv)
  * [rbenv for Windows](#rbenv-for-windows)
  * [RVM](#rvm)
  * [uru](#uru)
* [Building from source](#building-from-source)


## Package Management Systems
{: #package-management-systems}

If you cannot compile your own Ruby, and you do not want to use a
third-party tool, you can use your system's package manager to install Ruby.

Some members of the Ruby community feel that you should avoid package
managers to install Ruby and that you should use dedicated tools instead.

It is possible that major package managers will install older Ruby
versions instead of the latest release. To use the latest Ruby release,
check that the package name matches its version number. Or use a
dedicated [installer][installers].


### apt (Debian or Ubuntu)
{: #apt}

Debian GNU/Linux and Ubuntu use the apt package manager. You can use it
like this:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">sudo </span>apt-get <span class="nb">install </span>ruby-full</code></pre></figure>


### yum (CentOS, Fedora, or RHEL)
{: #yum}

CentOS, Fedora, and RHEL use the yum package manager.
You can use it like this:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">sudo </span>yum <span class="nb">install </span>ruby</code></pre></figure>

The installed version is typically the latest version of Ruby available
at the release time of the specific distribution version.


### snap (Ubuntu or other Linux distributions)
{: #snap}

Snap is a package manager developed by Canonical.
It is available out-of-the-box on Ubuntu, but snap also works
on many other Linux distributions.
You can use it like this:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">sudo </span>snap <span class="nb">install </span>ruby <span class="nt">--classic</span></code></pre></figure>

We have several channels per Ruby minor series.
For instance, the following commands switch to Ruby 2.3:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">sudo </span>snap switch ruby <span class="nt">--channel</span><span class="o">=</span>2.3/stable
<span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">sudo </span>snap refresh</code></pre></figure>


### portage (Gentoo)
{: #portage}

Gentoo uses the portage package manager.

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">sudo </span>emerge dev-lang/ruby</code></pre></figure>

To install a specific version, set `RUBY_TARGETS` in your `make.conf`.
See the [Gentoo Ruby Project website][gentoo-ruby] for details.


### pacman (Arch Linux)
{: #pacman}

Arch Linux uses a package manager named pacman.
To get Ruby, just do this:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">sudo </span>pacman <span class="nt">-S</span> ruby</code></pre></figure>


### Homebrew (macOS)
{: #homebrew}

Ruby versions 2.0 and above are included by default in macOS releases
since at least El Capitan (10.11).

[Homebrew][homebrew] is a commonly used package manager on macOS.
Installing Ruby using Homebrew is easy:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span>brew <span class="nb">install </span>ruby</code></pre></figure>

This should install the latest Ruby version.


### FreeBSD
{: #freebsd}

FreeBSD offers both pre-packaged and source-based methods to install Ruby.
Prebuilt packages can be installed via the pkg tool:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span>pkg <span class="nb">install </span>ruby</code></pre></figure>

A source-based method can be used to install Ruby using the
[Ports Collection][freebsd-ports-collection]. This is useful if you want
to customize the build configuration options.

More information about Ruby and its surrounding ecosystem on FreeBSD
can be found on the [FreeBSD Ruby Project website][freebsd-ruby].


### OpenBSD
{: #openbsd}

OpenBSD as well as its distribution adJ has packages for the three
major versions of Ruby. The following command allows you to see the
available versions and to install one:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span>doas pkg_add ruby</code></pre></figure>

You can install multiple major versions side by side, because their
binaries have different names (e.g. `ruby27`, `ruby26`).

The `HEAD` branch of the OpenBSD ports collection might have the
most recent version of Ruby for this platform some days after it
is released, see
[directory lang/ruby in the most recent ports collection][openbsd-current-ruby-ports].


### Ruby on OpenIndiana
{: #openindiana}

To install Ruby on [OpenIndiana][openindiana], please use the
Image Packaging System (IPS) client.
This will install the Ruby binaries and RubyGems directly
from the OpenIndiana repositories. It’s easy:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span>pkg <span class="nb">install </span>runtime/ruby</code></pre></figure>

However, the third-party tools might be a good way to obtain the
latest version of Ruby.

### Windows Package Manager
{: #winget}

On Windows, you can use the [Windows Package Manager CLI](https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli)
to install Ruby:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-powershell" data-lang="powershell"><span class="err">&gt;</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="n">winget</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">install</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">RubyInstallerTeam.Ruby.</span><span class="p">{</span><span class="n">MAJOR</span><span class="p">}</span><span class="o">.</span><span class="p">{</span><span class="n">MINOR</span><span class="p">}</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="c"># Example</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="err">&gt;</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="n">winget</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">install</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">RubyInstallerTeam.Ruby.3.2</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="c"># To see all versions available</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="err">&gt;</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="n">winget</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">search</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">RubyInstallerTeam.Ruby</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="c"># Note: if you are installing ruby for projects, you may want to install RubyWithDevKit</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="err">&gt;</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="n">winget</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">install</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">RubyInstallerTeam.RubyWithDevKit.3.2</span></code></pre></figure>

### Chocolatey package manager for Windows
{: #chocolatey}

Also on Windows, you can use the [Chocolatey Package Manager](https://chocolatey.org/install)
to install Ruby:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="o">&gt;</span> choco <span class="nb">install </span>ruby</code></pre></figure>

It will reuse existing `msys2`, or install own for complete Ruby development environment

### Other Distributions
{: #other-systems}

On other systems, you can search the package repository of your Linux
distribution's manager for Ruby. Alternatively, you can use a
[third-party installer][installers].


## Installers
{: #installers}

If the version of Ruby provided by your system or package manager is out
of date, a newer one can be installed using a third-party installer.

Some installers allow you to install multiple versions on the same
system; associated managers can help to switch between the different
Rubies.

If you are planning to use [RVM](#rvm) as a version manager you don't
need a separate installer, it comes with its own.


### ruby-build
{: #ruby-build}

[ruby-build][ruby-build] is a plugin for [rbenv](#rbenv) that allows you
to compile and install different versions of Ruby. ruby-build can also
be used as a standalone program without rbenv. It is available for macOS,
Linux, and other UNIX-like operating systems.


### ruby-install
{: #ruby-install}

[ruby-install][ruby-install] allows you to compile and install different
versions of Ruby into arbitrary directories. [chruby](#chruby) is a
complimentary tool used to switch between Ruby versions. It is available
for macOS, Linux, and other UNIX-like operating systems.


### RubyInstaller
{: #rubyinstaller}

On Windows, [RubyInstaller][rubyinstaller] gives you everything you need
to set up a full Ruby development environment.

Just download it, run it, and you are done!


### Ruby Stack
{: #rubystack}

If you are installing Ruby in order to use Ruby on Rails,
you can use the following installer:

* [Bitnami Ruby Stack][rubystack] provides a complete development
  environment for Rails. It supports macOS, Linux, Windows, virtual
  machines, and cloud images.


## Managers
{: #managers}

Many Rubyists use Ruby managers to manage multiple Rubies. They allow
easy or even automatic switching between Ruby versions depending on the
project and other advantages but are not officially supported. You can
however find support within their respective communities.


### asdf-vm
{: #asdf-vm}

[asdf-vm][asdf-vm] is an extendable version manager that can manage multiple
language runtime versions on a per-project basis. You will need the
[asdf-ruby][asdf-ruby] plugin (which in turn uses [ruby-build](#ruby-build))
to install Ruby.


### chruby
{: #chruby}

[chruby][chruby] allows you to switch between multiple Rubies. It can
manage Rubies installed by [ruby-install](#ruby-install) or even built
from source.


### mise-en-place
{: #mise-en-place}

[mise-en-place][mise-en-place] allows you to switch between multiple Rubies without requiring additional tools.
It manages installations automatically and includes a [gem backend](https://mise.jdx.dev/dev-tools/backends/gem.html) to manage versions of CLIs written in Ruby.
It supports UNIX-like and Windows operating systems.


### rbenv
{: #rbenv}

[rbenv][rbenv] allows you to manage multiple installations of Ruby.
While it can't install Ruby by default, its [ruby-build](#ruby-build)
plugin can. Both tools are available for macOS, Linux, or other
UNIX-like operating systems.


### rbenv for Windows
{: #rbenv-for-windows}

[rbenv for Windows][rbenv-for-windows] allows you to install and
manage multiple installations of Ruby on Windows. It's written in
PowerShell thus providing a native way to use Ruby for Windows users.
Besides, the command line interface is compatible with [rbenv][rbenv]
on UNIX-like systems.


### RVM ("Ruby Version Manager")
{: #rvm}

[RVM][rvm] allows you to install and manage multiple installations of
Ruby on your system. It can also manage different gemsets. It is
available for macOS, Linux, or other UNIX-like operating systems.


### RVM 4 Windows
{: #rvm-windows}

[RVM 4 Windows][rvm-windows] allows you to install and manage multiple
installations of Ruby on Windows. It is a clone of the original RVM and
supports the classic command line as well as Powershell by providing
the same command line interface as the original RVM.


### uru
{: #uru}

[Uru][uru] is a lightweight, multi-platform command line tool that helps you
to use multiple Rubies on macOS, Linux, or Windows systems.


## Building from Source
{: #building-from-source}

Of course, you can install Ruby from source.
[Download][download] and unpack a tarball, then just do this:

<figure class="highlight"><pre><code class="language-sh" data-lang="sh"><span class="nv">$ </span>./configure
<span class="nv">$ </span>make
<span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">sudo </span>make <span class="nb">install</span></code></pre></figure>

By default, this will install Ruby into `/usr/local`.
To change, pass the `--prefix=DIR` option to the `./configure` script.

You can find more information about building from source in the
[Building Ruby instructions][building-ruby].

Using the third-party tools or package managers might be a better idea,
though, because the installed Ruby won't be managed by any tools.


[rvm]: http://rvm.io/
[rvm-windows]: https://github.com/magynhard/rvm-windows#readme
[rbenv]: https://github.com/rbenv/rbenv#readme
[rbenv-for-windows]: https://github.com/RubyMetric/rbenv-for-windows#readme
[ruby-build]: https://github.com/rbenv/ruby-build#readme
[ruby-install]: https://github.com/postmodern/ruby-install#readme
[chruby]: https://github.com/postmodern/chruby#readme
[uru]: https://bitbucket.org/jonforums/uru
[rubyinstaller]: https://rubyinstaller.org/
[rubystack]: http://bitnami.com/stack/ruby/installer
[openindiana]: http://openindiana.org/
[gentoo-ruby]: http://www.gentoo.org/proj/en/prog_lang/ruby/
[freebsd-ruby]: https://wiki.freebsd.org/Ruby
[freebsd-ports-collection]: https://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/ports-using.html
[homebrew]: http://brew.sh/
[terminal]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terminal_emulators
[download]: /en/downloads/
[installers]: /en/documentation/installation/#installers
[building-ruby]: https://docs.ruby-lang.org/en/master/contributing/building_ruby_md.html
[wsl]: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/about
[asdf-vm]: https://asdf-vm.com/
[asdf-ruby]: https://github.com/asdf-vm/asdf-ruby
[mise-en-place]: https://mise.jdx.dev
[mise-en-place-ruby]: https://mise.jdx.dev/lang/ruby.html
[openbsd-current-ruby-ports]: https://cvsweb.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb/ports/lang/ruby/?only_with_tag=HEAD