Question 1

How do I set up Better Errors for a non-Rails Rack app?

Accepted Answer

You need to insert BetterErrors::Middleware into your middleware stack and set BetterErrors.application_root, as explained in the README's 'Using without Rails' section. Specific instructions vary by framework, so check the wiki for details.

Question 2

Better Errors vs Rails default error page: which is better for debugging?

Accepted Answer

Better Errors is superior for interactive debugging with features like REPL and variable inspection, while the default page is minimal. However, Better Errors requires extra setup and has security limitations, so it's best for development only.

Question 3

Why does Better Errors show 'Session Expired' with Puma?

Accepted Answer

This happens with multi-worker servers like Puma because requests hit different workers, losing context. To fix, reduce workers to one in development or use a single-process server like Webrick, as noted in the README.

Question 4

How to configure editor links in Better Errors?

Accepted Answer

Set the EDITOR environment variable to your preferred editor, and Better Errors will generate links. If that doesn't work, check the wiki for supported editors or use BETTER_ERRORS_INSIDE_FRAME for iframe or CSP issues.

Question 5

Can I use Better Errors in production for debugging?

Accepted Answer

No, it's critical to keep Better Errors only in development due to security risks like exposing REPL and sensitive data. The README explicitly warns against using it in production or on Internet-facing hosts.

Question 6

What does binding_of_caller do for Better Errors?

Accepted Answer

It enables advanced features like the live REPL and local/instance variable inspection. Without it, Better Errors still works but lacks these interactive debugging tools, making it less powerful.

Question 7

Better Errors not working with AJAX requests?

Accepted Answer

Better Errors supports non-HTML requests by rendering plain text error pages for XMLHttpRequest or when the Accept header excludes HTML. Ensure your setup is correct, as mentioned in the 'Plain text requests' section.

Better Errors

What is Better Errors?

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Pros & Cons

Pros

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Frequently Asked Questions