# heroku-debug

> Debug Rails API backend on Heroku using CLI. Use when investigating errors, checking logs, querying database via rails runner, inspecting Redis, or viewing dyno status. Supports -r staging and -r production remotes.

- Author: Eric Kreutzer
- Repository: erickreutz/dotfiles
- Version: 20260124140251
- Stars: 0
- Forks: 0
- Last Updated: 2026-02-06
- Source: https://github.com/erickreutz/dotfiles
- Web: https://mule.run/skillshub/@@erickreutz/dotfiles~heroku-debug:20260124140251

---

---
name: heroku-debug
description: Debug Rails API backend on Heroku using CLI. Use when investigating errors, checking logs, querying database via rails runner, inspecting Redis, or viewing dyno status. Supports -r staging and -r production remotes.
---

# Heroku Debug

## Safety Rules

**Read-only by default.** Do not perform write operations unless the operator explicitly authorizes them.

**Never use `heroku logs`** - logs stream too fast for historical debugging. Use rails runner queries instead.

Write operations requiring explicit permission:
- `update!`, `save!`, `destroy!`, `delete` in rails runner
- `heroku ps:restart`
- `heroku pg:reset`
- Any data modification

Before running any command, confirm which remote (staging or production).

## Remote Selection

Always use `-r` flag to specify environment:
- `-r staging` for staging
- `-r production` for production

If unclear which environment, ask before running.

## Rails Runner

Use heredoc pattern for complex scripts:

```bash
heroku run 'bundle exec rails runner "$(cat <<'RUBY'
user = User.first
puts "#{user.id}: #{user.first_name} #{user.last_name}"
puts "Created: #{user.created_at}"
RUBY
)"' -r staging
```

For write operations (ONLY with explicit permission):
```bash
heroku run 'bundle exec rails runner "$(cat <<'RUBY'
user = User.find("uuid")
user.update!(field: "value")
puts "Updated: #{user.id}"
RUBY
)"' -r staging
```

## Command Reference

See [references/commands.md](references/commands.md) for full command reference including:
- Database (Postgres)
- Redis
- Dyno management