Kamal

Use Kamal to deploy Rails applications with repeatable, safe workflows.

Install and Initialize

• Install: gem install kamal
• Initialize in app: kamal init
  • Creates config/deploy.yml and .kamal/secrets

Deploy Workflow

1. Run kamal setup for first deploys or new servers.
2. Use kamal deploy for routine releases.
3. Use kamal rollback [VERSION] for fast recovery.

Common Commands

• Help: kamal --help
• Show merged config: kamal config
• Deploy: kamal deploy
• Redeploy without bootstrap: kamal redeploy
• Rollback: kamal rollback [VERSION]
• Remove app/proxy/accessories: kamal remove
• Cleanup: kamal prune
• Manage app: kamal app (see kamal app --help)
• Manage accessories: kamal accessory (see kamal accessory --help)
• Manage proxy: kamal proxy
• Server bootstrap only: kamal server

Secrets

• Keep secrets in .kamal/secrets or environment variables.
• Example entries in .kamal/secrets:

DATABASE_URL=postgres://...
RAILS_MASTER_KEY=...

Note: kamal config prints merged config including secrets.