# Suggestion: Merging Rails application templates with generator functionality

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/suggestion-merging-rails-application-templates-with-generator-functionality/182678>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [February 1, 2010, 12:13pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/suggestion-merging-rails-application-templates-with-generator-functionality/182678 "2010-02-01T12:13:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kristian](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kristian](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Kristian)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 12:13pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/suggestion-merging-rails-application-templates-with-generator-functionality/182678/1 "2010-02-01T12:13:12Z")

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Been working a bit lately on implementing Rails app. templates and  
generators. It is clear there is a lot of overlap and that features  
from generators could be used in app. templates and vice versa.  
I will try to port some of the generator features such as the template  
function (executing an .erb file and saving the resulting content as a  
file in a specific location) to be used with app. templates, perhaps  
as an app. templates extension (gem?).

What do you think? Is this already possible and convenient by other  
means?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kristian](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kristian](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Kristian)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/suggestion-merging-rails-application-templates-with-generator-functionality/182678/2 "2010-02-01T15:26:58Z")

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On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 6:11 AM, Kristian [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> Been working a bit lately on implementing Rails app. templates and  
> generators. It is clear there is a lot of overlap and that features  
> from generators could be used in app. templates and vice versa.  
> I will try to port some of the generator features such as the template  
> function (executing an .erb file and saving the resulting content as a  
> file in a specific location) to be used with app. templates, perhaps  
> as an app. templates extension (gem?).
> 
> What do you think? Is this already possible and convenient by other  
> means?

As I understand it, Rails 3 is making generators and app templates  
work on the same code base.

[http://caffeinedd.com/guides/331-making-generators-for-rails-3-with-thor](http://caffeinedd.com/guides/331-making-generators-for-rails-3-with-thor)  
[http://benscofield.com/2009/09/application-templates-in-rails-3/](http://benscofield.com/2009/09/application-templates-in-rails-3/)

–  
Rick DeNatale

Blog: [http://talklikeaduck.denhaven2.com/](http://talklikeaduck.denhaven2.com/)  
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