set rails console stack backtrace limit permanently

Question

rails console by default boots with context.back_trace_limit=16, which can be changed to whatever you want simply by typing context.back_trace_limit=n. The problem is you have to type it each time you boot rails c. Where do I change the context.back_trace_limit permanently? Some more reading on rails console configuration appreciated.

Answer 1

You have to create/edit your ~/.irbrc with the following:

IRB.conf[:BACK_TRACE_LIMIT]= 20

To be taken into account:

• The options must be uppercased
• This option is changing not only the rails console, but the normal "irb" behavior (the rails console uses irb to run)
• This setting is global, and not per project

Reference http://rakeroutes.com/blog/customize-your-irb/

Update for Rails 5

In Rails 5 the command context.back_trace_limit=20 will fail.

In the console you need to use the command conf.back_trace_limit = 10 for the current session.

For permanent changes, writing IRB.conf[:BACK_TRACE_LIMIT]= 20 in your ~/.irbrc is still valid.

You can see the current settings by calling conf